14
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
of that year and kept in stock. Patna spent Rs. 2,190-15-7 more than in 1896,
Cuttack Rs. 573-3-10, and Berhampore Rs. 2,124-12-6, all these increases being
due to higher prices of food-grains. The table in the margin shows the cost
per head in each asylum.
TABLE XIV.
1896.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Barhampore
Rs.
2
2
4
3
2
A.
6
2
11
8
11
P.
9
4
3
8
8
1897.
Rs.
2
2
3
2
2
A.
0
5
7
6
6
P.
9
7
11
10
0
24. Clothing and bedding—Show a decrease
of Rs. 374-12-3. The saving occurred in all
the asylums except Dacca, where there was an
increase of Rs. 44-2-6, due to the supply of blankets
of better quality. The marginal table shows the
cost per head in each asylum.
25. Bazar medicines—Cost Rs. 308-12, or an increase of Rs. 105-5-6.
Dullunda spent Rs. 102-11-1 more than in 1896, but the cost includes the
value of some European medicines purchased locally which were urgently
required. There was a small saving at Dacca and Berhampore. The increase
at Patna was insignificant; that at Cattack was Rs. 10-5 caused by the
purchase of disinfectants and bandage cloth.
26. Contingencies proper—Amount to an expenditure of Rs. 7,073-1-10,
against Rs. 6,266-13-2 in 1896, or an increase of Rs. 806-4-8. The cost at
Dullunda exceeded that of 1896 by Rs. 544-3-9 owing to larger expenditure on
gas, which escaped through the old worn-out pipes which have since been
repaired. The increase is also due to the construction of a cart and 34 iron
latrine pans, and to larger expenditure on musical entertainments given to
the lunatics. At Dacca the purchase of an iron conservancy cart explains
the increase of Rs. 204-8-8. Patna expended Rs. 188-11-2 more than in
1896, which is accounted for by the purchase of a pair of bullocks and the
repair of cooking pots and feeding cups and plates. Cuttack and Berhampore
saved Rs. 84-0-8 and Rs. 47-2-3, respectively.
TABLE XV.
Dullunda ...
Dacca ...
Patna ...
Cuttack ...
Berhampore
1896.
Rs.
9
8
6
14
3
A.
10
8
3
7
11
P
3
0
3
1
7
1897.
Rs.
16
9
6
9
3
A.
15
8
13
6
11
P.
8
0
3
4
0
27. Repairs and maintenance—Account for an expenditure of Rs. 1,783-15-4,
against Rs. 462-0-11 in 1896. Dullunda itself spent Rs. 1,258-1-3 over that of
1896, and the increase is attributed to the improvements made in the kitchen, to
the erection of a small range for cooking hospital diet, to the reconstruction of
a portion of the boundary wall of the asylum compound, and to repairs done to
the store godowns, hospital and dispensary rooms and dining sheds. Dacca
repaired its roads, and spent Rs. 19 more than in
1896. Patna had a small saving, while at Berham-
pore there was an increase of Rs. 50-12-3, due to
repairs done to the cook-rooms of the warders.
The usual table showing the incidence of cost per
head on account of contingencies is given in the
margin.
28. Rates and taxes—Amounted to Rs. 2,711-7-0, against Rs. 3,981-10 in
1896. The cost at Patna, Cuttack and Berhampore remained unchanged. At
Dullunda the rates and taxes for the first two quarters only were paid, and the
Calcutta Municipality having since raised their rates owing to re-assessment of
the buildings, the payment of the rates for the third and fourth quarters was not
made until the beginning of the current year. The reduction is therefore
nominal, and the accounts of the current year will show a larger expenditure
than usual under this heading. At Dacca Rs. 68 was added to the expenditure
owing to the re-assessment of the buildings.
29. Printed forms and stationery—Show a reduction of Rs. 17-13-8
Dullunda obtained a less number of forms and registers, and spent Rs. 26-2-3 less
than in 1896; Berhampore also had a small saving. The other asylums show a
trifling increase.
30. European medicines—Cost Rs. 1,272-15-3, or Rs. 401-10 5 more than in
1896. At Dullunda the increase is represented by Rs. 156-4-6, which was due to
new surgical instruments having been obtained. The same reason and the general
issue of sulphate of cinchonidine as a prophylactic account for the increase of
Rs. 213-13-11 at Dacca. At Patna the increase was slight. Berhampore in-
dented for a larger quantity of medicines in 1897, which accounts for the
increase there of Rs. 28-10-10.
31. The Public Works Department spent Rs. 11,061-9-10, against
Rs. 3401-15-9 in 1896, or an increase of Rs. 7,659-10-1. The asylum authorities