LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
19
salaries, greater efficiency may be secured without much additional cost. The report submitted
by Mr. Cutcliffe is highly interesting, and betokens an appreciation of the duties devolving
upon him and the requirements of the asylum, as well as a perseverance and energy in
performing the one and endeavouring to meet the other, which are warmly commented on by
the administrative officer of the circle.
It is satisfactory also to note that the overseer, Mr. Blackwell, has performed his duties
so commendably.
Patna.—The population of the asylum exhibits the same tendency to increase as of the
other asylums. Some improvements have been made during the year. A new hospital has
been provided, the compound has been raised somewhat, work-shed repaired, and a tank
deepened. Further improvements are in contemplation, which will provide more varied employ-
ment for the lunatics. The low situation and damp of the main block for male lunatics is
the subject of unfavorable remark by Dr. Francis, the Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals
of the circle, who thinks there is no other remedy for it than the radical one of pulling down
the block and rebuilding it on a better site. The insufficient salary of the attendants has
been made the subject of special reference, and it is to be hoped that the enhanced wage
sanctioned in letter No. 510, dated 13th May 1871, will secure a more trustworthy and efficient
class of men. The circumstances of the case of suicide were also made the subject of special
investigation and report at the time. These were exceptional, and precautions have now been
adopted to prevent a recurrence of such accidents. Dr. Francis points out a great defect in the
arrangements of this asylum—namely, that the overseer's house is outside of the asylum walls;
that constant surveillance which this official should exercise is therefore impossible. The
Superintendent has been called upon to report specially on this matter, which will be submitted
for special orders.
It is satisfactory to note a diminished death-rate. The conduct of the overseer and
matron, Mr. and Mrs. Nowlan, are approvingly noticed by Superintendent and Visitors.
Cuttack.—The report of the Cuttack Asylum shows a satisfactory state of matters. The
population of the asylum is increasing, but the death-rate lower than usual. Dr. Saunders
visited and inspected this asylum on the 11th September 1870. He found it in excellent
order. He found the patients more noisy and turbulent than in other asylums. The men—
hillmen—belong to a turbulent race. It appears that owing to an accident which occurred in
this asylum in the year 1868—a fatal assault on a warder—no gardening tools are placed in the
hands of patients, and they are thus debarred the advantage of gardening and out-door
employments. In this respect the asylum is an exception to most, if not all, institutions of
its kind; and the experience elsewhere is, that if the patients are properly selected, no appre-
hension of violence need exist from the use of tools. The Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals
renews his recommendation to make over the present asylum building to the jail, enclose part
of the old cavalry lines at Chowliagunge, and occupy it as an asylum.
Moydapore.—The number of inmates is increasing, from a minimum of 9, to which they
were reduced by the closing of the asylum in 1868, to a daily average of 20.92 in 1870. The
building has been in no way improved, and Dr. Saunders, in October 1870, when he inspected
the asylum, found it as damp as ever, and much out of repair. He observed, moreover,
that the conservancy arrangements were not efficient, and perceived an ammoniacal odour in
the wards. This was owing to the neglect of the native doctor, who was severely admonished
to the strict performance of his duty.
The death-rate is very high, but this is owing to an outbreak of cholera which occurred
in July and carried off four inmates, a large number among a small community. The insane
were, Dr. Saunders states, removed into the barracks in cantonments on that occasion with a
satisfactory result, inasmuch as the outbreak ceased in two or three days, when, after a
month's detention, they were again removed to Moydapore.