8
The clerk of the Dacca Lunatic Asylum also had his pay revised in 1920,
and a revised scale was sanctioned for the keepers and the barber, with effect
from the date their war allowance ceases. This Asylum was in urgent need of
a second Sub-Assistant Surgeon. The proposal was submitted to Government
in 1919, but was rejected. It has lately been sanctioned.
Statement X.
23. Manufactures.—This statement refers to the manufacturing depart
ments at the Berhampore and Dacca Lunatic Asylums. Four hundred
and fifteen lunatics (viz., 37 males and 44 females) were, on an average,
employed daily on industries in the former and 70 (viz., 66 males and
4 females) in the latter. Carpentry, weaving, dairy farming, oil pressing, cane
work, gardening and tailoring are the principal industries at these Asylums.
The lunatics of the Berhampore Asylum are employed on the following addi
tional branches of industry :—Bakery (a most useful and profitable industry),
Durry-making, Joss-stick-making, Bamboo work, making Jute-string and
straw-mats, poultry farming and pounding soorky.
Patients are rewarded for good work and good conduct generally by
monetary grants varying from Rs. 2 downwards and, in special cases, by
monthly stipends and also in the shape of extra diet, pān and tobacco.
The average annual sale of manufactured articles of the Berhampore
Lunatic Asylum amounted to Rs. 7,327. Besides this, articles to the annual
average value of Rs. 20,852 were made for Asylum use. The average value of
manufactured articles of the Dacca Lunatic Asylum, sold and consumed in
the Asylum, amounted to Rs. 330 and Rs. 5,599, respectively, per annum. The
average annual profit of the manufacturing departments of the Berhampore
Lunatic Asylum amounted to Rs. 9,025 and of the Dacca Lunatic Asylum
Rs. 5,382, as compared with the average annual profit of Rs. 9,484 and
Rs. 3,106, respectively, in the previous triennium. The Dairies of the
2 Asylums yielded an annual profit of Rs. 1,210 and Rs. 330, respectively, on
an average.
24. Dietary.— The diet has been liberal and varied. Patients received
meat and fish on alternate days, and there has been an ample supply of fresh
vegetables from the Asylum gardens. Patients found to be losing weight
and the feeble and infirm were, as usual, supplied with extra diet and medical
comforts. The food is regularly inspected by the Superintendent and Deputy
Superintendent every day.
25. Hygiene.—Great attention is always paid to the personal Hygiene
of the lunatics. Dirty lunatics are bathed frequently. At Berhampore
there are shower-baths for both male and female inmates. Each latrine
in the Asylum has an ablution platform and earthen or iron receptacles are
kept under each seat. Each large dormitory is provided with a urinal, so
arranged that the contents run out quickly, and tarred baskets are placed in
each room at night for stools. A sweeper attends each block of wards and
cubicles by night and day.
26. Amusements and pastimes.—Every effort is made both at Dacca
and Berhampore to make the life of the unfortunate inmates happy and con
tented. The usual periodical treats, such as Jatra, Dancing, Jugglery, etc.,
are given to lunatics at the times of festivals, e.g., Durga Puja, Christmas, etc.,
and are greatly appreciated. They are also allowed to perform the various
Pujas, Id and other festivals. In addition, daily issues of cigarettes, tobacco
and betel are given to sane patients. The literate inmates are given books,
newspapers and monthly magazines to read. Various games and musical ins
truments, e.g., Cards, Chess, Gramophone, Harmonium, etc., are also provided.
On selected occasions, sane patients are allowed outside the Asylum in batches,
under proper escort, which they enjoy immensely. A sum of Rs. 295 was
spent annually on an average at the Dacca Lunatic Asylum and Rs. 168
at the Berhampore Lunatic Asylum for amusement. The expenditure at
Dacca is met from a private fund, raised by subscription, the Nawab of
Dacca contributing Rs. 24 monthly.
27. Building.—At Dacca 27 separate cubicles were constructed in 1918
by partitioning an old cellular block ; a sleeping barrack was added by the
alteration of an old covered feeding platform, and a new feeding platform