( 3 )
Excluding the last three items and the manufacture charges, which are
balanced by the receipts, the real expenditure, it is observed, increased by about
Rs. 1,000, chiefly due to arrear and new taxes, and to the payment of water-rate
at Dacca. The total amount expended on diet shows a decrease of Rs. 1,482-0-2.
The average cost of each lunatic on account of diet was—Dalanda Rs. 37-14-1,
Dacca Rs. 36-13-2, Patna Rs. 31-10-0, Cuttack Rs. 27-15-1, and Berhampore
Rs. 33 3-5. The cost of rations per head of average strength in the neighbour-
ing jails was—Alipore Rs. 26-3-0, Dacca Rs. 22-6-0, Patna Rs. 19-15-0, Cuttack
Rs. 20-2-0, and Berhampore Rs. 24-14-0. The comparison is useful as indicat-
ing the possibility of managing with greater economy, but it must be remem-
bered that the dieting of lunatics cannot be reduced to the same standard of
cheapness as the dieting of convicts. The latter are for the most part in good
health; the former are, with few exceptions, more or less sickly, and are apt to give
trouble about their food; there is more waste, and the arrangements for feeding
cannot be carried out on so large a scale as in the jails. Calculated on the
actual expenditure shown in the first nine items of the statement given above, the
average total cost of a patient in 1891 was Rs. 65-15-7, against Rs. 64-6-6 in
1890.
8. The population of the Bhawánipur European Asylum at the commence-
ment of the year was 34, against 33 in 1890. Fifteen persons were admitted and
one re-admitted during the year. Three of the admissions were criminal lunatics,
none being serious cases. During the year three persons were discharged cured,
one was despatched to Europe under the Merchant Shipping Act, one was
transferred to the care of friends, two were made over to the Military authori-
ties, one was despatched to Europe as still insane, and seven died. The
number of patients under detention at the close of the year was 35. There was
no want of accommodation either in the male or the female wards: the overcrowd-
ing among females which occurred last year was relieved by adding an upper
storey to the female ward. There were no injuries, accidents or escapes
during the year. The general health of the patients was good. The total
expenditure for the year was Rs. 25,370 as against Rs. 20,583 in 1890, the
increase of Rs. 4,787, which was unavoidable and partly non-recurrent, being
due to the construction of the upper storey and to the payment of rates and
taxes for the first time. The question of closing this asylum altogether, and
transferring the patients to the Dalanda block of buildings, is now under con-
sideration, and has been referred to a special Committee.
9. The thanks of the Lieutenant-Governor are due to Dr. Hilson for this
report.
His Honour is glad to observe the favourable terms in which
Dr. Hilson acknowledges the efficiency of the Superintendents and their subor-
dinates.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
H. H. RISLEY,
Offg. Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.
No. 94T—M.
COPY of this Resolution forwarded to the Inspector-General of Civil Hos-
pitals, Bengal, for information.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
H.J. MCINTOSH,
Offg. Under-Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.
DARJEELING,
The 20th May 1892.
C. E. G.—Reg. No. 853C—347—26-5-92.