12
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
that all the inmates increased in weight during the year. There were seven
deaths in 1891, against three in the previous year. This seems rather odd consi-
dering there was no epidemic visitation, but Dr. Clarke accounts satisfactorily
for them all. Two out of the three females who died of apoplexy were
admitted in bad health, one in 1890 and one in the year under report. One
blind female, 64 years of age, died of chronic diarrhœa ; one male died from
exhaustion, having had 72 epileptic fits in 24 hours. One male, who had been
in the asylum for seven years, died from Bright's disease, and another from
endocarditis. There were no injuries, accidents, or escapes during the year.
47. The following table shows the expenditure of the asylum :—
Average daily number of inmates through-
out 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
...
...
...
1890.
34
Rs.
20,583
605
336
1891.
37
Rs.
25,370
686
420
The following shows the average yearly cost of each lunatic in relation to—
Establishment ... ... ...
Diet ... ... ...
Contingencies ... ... ...
Bazar medicines ... ... ...
Clothing
...
...
...
1890.
Rs.
347
129
65
...
27
1891.
Rs.
312
134
46
...
22
The total expenditure of the asylum shows an increase of Rs. 4,787 in the year
under report as compared with that of the previous year. The increase was
caused by the construction of the upper storey, and the payment for the first
time of rates and taxes amounting to Rs. 2,026. The cost of superintendence
showed a saving of Rs. 190, the figures being Rs. 5,272, against Rs. 5,462 in 1890.
The saving is explained to have been due to the fact that while in 1890 the
privilege allowance of the Overseer and the pay of an officiating incumbent
were paid, this was not repeated in 1891. Under the head of establishment proper
there was also a saving of Rs. 51, the figures being Rs. 6,279, against Rs. 6,330
in 1890. The diminution is accounted for by the Civil Hospital Assistant having
drawn his grade pay only instead of the consolidated pay of Rs. 35, as was
hitherto done. The amount expended on diet was Rs. 4,942, against Rs. 4,391
in the previous year. The increase of Rs. 551 was caused by the larger popu-
lation in 1891. The daily average cost on account of diet was 5 annas and
9 pie, against 5 annas and 7 pie in the previous year. The daily average cost
of the different classes was as follows:—
First class ... ...
Second „ ... ...
Third
„ ... ...
Fourth „ ... ...
1890.
Rs.
0
0
0
0
A.
14
7
5
5
P.
7
0
7
0
1891.
Rs.
1
0
0
0
A.
2
9
5
5
P.
1
2
9
1
The cost of clothing and bedding was Rs. 829, against Rs. 918 in 1890,
showing a reduction of Rs. 89. The expenditure under the head of contingencies
also shows a saving of Rs. 518, the figures being Rs. 1,689, against Rs. 2,207
in 1890. The Superintendent states that there was a general saving in 1891
under all the items of contingencies, such as kerosine oil lamps, coir matting,
stool pans, commodes, flower pots, and garden tools. The expenditure on
account of works done by the Public Works Department was Rs. 4,321, against
Rs. 1,275 in 1890. The increase has already been explained. The amount
paid as rates and taxes was Rs. 2,026 in 1891. This includes also the rates
and taxes for 1890. Rs. 12 were spent on forms and stationery in 1891.
The total average cost to Government of each lunatic was Rs. 420, against
Rs. 336 in 1890. Deducting the Public Works charges, the average cost
stands at Rs. 303, against Rs. 298 in the previous year. This average of