LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
25
The Bhowanipore
asylum ; gene-
ral summary.
54. Bhowanipore.—This institution has been in a thoroughly satisfactory state
throughout the year. Dr. Payne's report and appended returns show that the number of
inmates remaining at the close of the year was very nearly the same as the number remaining
at the close of 1870. The admissions were rather more numerous than those of 1870, and the
cures fewer. The mortality was very trifling, and due to causes unconnected with the insti-
tution. The financial statement bears very favourable comparison with former years.
Transmission of in-
sane soldiers to
England.
55. The number of soldiers sent to England as invalids is fewer than in 1870, but still
considerable. Asylum accommodation at Bombay is still a desideratum. The Government
of India, on a representation which I forwarded from Dr. Payne in May, urging the propriety
of sending military insanes direct to Bombay, ruled that the destination and disposal of
lunatics should be decided entirely according to the judgment of the local medical authorities.
Harmless lunatics might, it was remarked, be detained at up-country stations until an oppor-
tunity of sending them by troop-ship offered, if the lunacy became declared during or near
the trooping season.
After-history of in-
sanes.
56. In a letter from the Secretary of State for India (No. 127, dated 11th May 1871,)
it was intimated that a half-yearly report of European insanes, (military and civil,) who
should in future be sent to England for further treatment, should be forwarded to India.
This measure was recommended by the Bengal Government on the suggestion of Deputy
Inspector-General of Hospitals G. Saunders, who represented how desirable and useful it
would be that the Superintendent should be furnished with short notes of the after history
of insanes passing through the Bhowanipore asylum. His Grace at the same time, at the
instance of Dr. Christie, Medical Superintendent of the Royal India Asylum at Ealing, directed
that instructions should be issued with a view to ascertaining more exactly and completely
the etiology of cases of insanity occurring among the military serving in India, and the
treatment pursued in this country. Orders were accordingly issued to this end to medical
officers and Superintendents of Asylums.
Adoption of diet
scales.
57. In November the Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals urged the advisability of
the dieting of this asylum being conducted by means of diet scales, which might be used as a
means of checking the bills submitted monthly on this account. This view was supported, and
it was recommended (by this office letter No. 855, dated 24th November 1871,) that the duty
of preparing suitable diet scales should be entrusted to the committee whose appointment to
consider certain points connected with the Dullunda Asylum had been recommended. This
was accordingly done.
System of supply.
Mr. Saunders also pressed, on an opportunity offering, that supply should in future be
obtained by public instead of private contract. This question was also on my recom-
mendation referred to the same committee.
58. The health of the matron having broken down in July, she and the overseer were
granted furlough by the Superintendent, who was, however, instructed (Bengal Government
letter No. 4265, dated 21st December 1871,) that leave should not have been given to these
subordinates without the sanction of the Inspector-General of Hospitals, or until the arrange-
ments proposed for the conduct of their duties had been approved. Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft were
transferred from the Dullunda Asylum to take the place of Mr. and Mrs. DeVere, and performed
the duties of overseer and matron to the Superintendent's satisfaction.
59 A strong representation was made in May by Dr. Payne for the appointment of a
European assistant to the matron, but Government decided that with the small number of
female patients located in this asylum such an appointment was not necessary.
60. On the whole the management of this asylum during the year has been very
satisfactory.
G