LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
19
53. Sickness and mortality.—There were altogether 9 admissions to hospital,
namely, 1 from simple continued fever, 1 from remittent fever, 2 from debility,
1 from general paralysis of the insane, 2 from heart disease, and 2 from tubercle
of the lung. The total number of deaths was five, namely, 2 caused by debility,
2 by heart disease, and 1 by general paralysis of the insane, which gives a per-
centage of 15.09 of average strength, as against 10.62 in 1895. The general
health of the inmates was good, and there was no appearance of epidemic
disease, nor were there any instances of injuries or accidents.
54. Expenditure.—The following table gives the expenditure for the last
two years:—
Average daily number of inmates throughout the
year
...
...
...
...
Total expenditure for the year ... ...
Average yearly cost of each lunatic ... ...
Average yearly cost of each lunatic after deducting
payments by friends of paying patients
1895.
38
Rs.
22,838
601
313
1896.
33
Rs.
21,269
644
359
Below is shown the average yearly cost of each inmate under the different
headings:—
Establishment ... ...
Diet
...
...
...
...
Contingencies ...
Bazar medicines
...
...
Clothing ... ...
Rates and taxes ...
Public Works charges ...
Printed forms and stationery
...
1895.
Rs.
327
132
39
...
24
32
46
1
1896.
Rs.
367
140
50
...
13
36
37
1
55. The accounts show a diminution on total expenditure of Rs. 1,569,
as compared with that for 1895.
Owing to the smaller population the average gross cost of each lunatic appears
as Rs. 644 as against Rs. 601, and the net cost Rs. 359 as against Rs. 313.
56. The charge for Superintendence fell a little (Rs. 231), as exchange
compensation allowance was less, and the cost of the Establishment proper was
smaller by Rs. 116, as fewer servants were employed for paying patients. Diet
charges were less by Rs. 389 owing to the reduction in numbers, and for the
same reason clothing and bedding show a diminution of Rs. 479.
An excess of Rs. 148, as compared with the accounts for 1895, occurred
under contingencies owing to improvements in the bath-rooms and latrines of
the female ward, and to decorating the walls with pictures. Public Works
charges were less, viz., Rs. 1,241 against Rs. 1,744 in 1895. The Superintendent
cannot, however, explain the expenditure of Rs. 1,241, and states that beyond
stopping a few leaks in the roof, nothing was done. The amounts charged
for rates and taxes and for stationery remained almost unaltered. Deducting
Public Works charges and taxes, the net cost to Government per patient was
Rs. 286, as compared with Rs. 235 in 1895.
First class ... ...
Second class ... ...
Third class ... ...
Fourth class ... ...
1895.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
A.
12
8
6
5
P.
1
11
2
4
1896.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
A.
12
12
5
5
P.
11
3
9
10
57. The average daily cost of
each diet was Re. 0-6-2 against
Re. 0-5-9 in the previous year, and
the diets of the different classes of
patients cost on the average the sums
noted in the margin.
58. Income is shown in the following statement:—
Amount contributed by Government ...
Received from paying patients ...
Received from sale of condemned articles ...
Sale of manufactured articles ... ...
Total ...
1894.
Rs.
9,624
13,703
23
...
23,350
1895.
Rs.
11,901
10,926
11
...
22,838
1896.
Rs.
11,835
9,424
A.
9
0
P.
3
0
...
9
21,269
6
0
9
0