8
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
22. There was a total saving of Rs. 390-5 in 1892 under the head of
bedding and clothing. Dullunda is the only asylum in which there was an
increase amounting to Rs. 107-1-0. The increase is accounted for by the
larger issues of clothing to female Christian patients, and by the purchase of
blankets. The average cost per head on account of bedding and clothing is
given below:—
Dullunda ...
Dacca
...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore
...
1891.
Rs.
3
2
3
0
2
A.
5
9
11
14
5
P.
2
8
11
11
11
1892.
Rs.
3
2
2
1
1
A.
12
4
12
4
12
P.
8
6
2
2
2
23. There was a slight and immaterial increase in the total cost of
bazar medicines in 1892.
24. Under the head of Contingencies proper there was a total decrease of
Rs. 448-14-0 in 1892. The diminution took place at Dacca, Patna, and Cuttack
Asylums, but the expenditure under this head increased at Dullunda and
Berhampore. The supply of uniform for the warders and the purchase of
brass-plates and cups for the lunatics, account for the increase of Rs. 701-8-9
at Dullunda. At Berhampore there was an increase of Rs. 423-0-3, due to the
purchase of new lamps, padlocks, brass-plates and cooking utensils. The cost
under the head of Contingencies of manufacture was insignificant. In repairs
and maintenance there was a total saving of Rs. 1,002-5-5 in 1892, in all the
asylums except Cuttack, where no expenditure was incurred on this account.
The average yearly cost per head of the three classes of contingencies is detailed
below:—
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore ...
1891.
Rs.
10
13
8
1
1
A.
12
3
0
13
4
P.
1
6
2
11
0
1892.
Rs.
12
7
4
3
3
A.
12
6
9
8
2
P.
7
0
2
6
0
25. The total of rates and taxes on buildings was less by Rs. 441-10 in 1892
as compared with the previous year, the saving occurring at Dacca. At Cuttack,
however, the expenditure on this head rose from Rs. 45 in 1891 to Rs. 86 in
1892, owing to the imposition for the first time of a latrine tax.
26. The total expenditure on account of printed forms and stationery showed
a reduction of Rs. 4-1-1 in 1892.
27. Under the head of Europe medicines there was a total increase of Rs. 175-1
in the year. The increase at Dullunda is represented by Rs. 199-2, due to the
purchase of new instruments and a somewhat larger expenditure of medicines.
In this connection Dr. Walsh, the Superintendent, remarks that excellent results
were obtained from the use of sulphonal. No less than 28 cases of mania
were regularly treated with this drug either alone or combined with opium,
and in all there was some improvement. The bromides of potassium, sodium
and ammonium were largely used in ordinary cases of mania, also in cases of
epileptic insanity, but with no very satisfactory results. At the Berhampore
Asylum there was an increase of Rs. 24-8-1 in 1892, which the Superintendent
reports as due to the larger expenditure of 1891, in which year it was found
necessary to borrow from the civil station store, the loan being repaid in
1892. There were savings at Dacca and Cuttack. The cost at Patna was
almost the same in the two years under comparison.
28. The total amount expended by the Public Works Department was
less by Rs. 9,007 13-5 in 1892. The Asylums at Patna and Berhampore
showed no expenditure for works in the year under report, while there were
savings at Dullunda, Dacca and Cuttack.