DACCA LUNATIC ASYLUM.
41
Restraint.
Table 15 shows the number of lunatics confined in solitary cells during the year.
All lunatics on first admission are separately confined for at least a week, being taken out
daily to be bathed and fed. The only means of punishing mischievous or quarrelsome
lunatics is to confine them in cells,. and to stop their allowance of tobacco and pân. This
discipline is found effectual in all cases. Besides the lunatics confined for these causes, there
are always two or three dangerous men, who can only be taken out of the cells under charge
of special keepers. They are generally non-criminals.
No mechanical restraint was employed during the year.
Vaccination.
Table l6 shows the number of lunatics who had been inoculated or vaccinated, or
were unprotected on admission. Of the 102 males admitted or re-admitted during the year,
2 9 per cent. had been vaccinated, 60.7 inoculated, 10.7 had marks of natural small-pox,
and 25.4 were unprotected. Of the 25 females, one had been vaccinated when in the asylum
before, 13 had been inoculated, two had marks of small-pox, and nine were unprotected.
Lunatics employed.
Table 17 shows the average number of lunatics usefully employed during the year.
The average number of sick was 24, and the average number of able-bodied persons was
220, namely 177 males and 43 females. On an average 171 males and 42 females were
usefully employed. It is not to be supposed, however, that the whole of that number did on
any day a fair amount of work. Many of the old inmates, and most of those affected with
chronic mental disease, do little real work ; but a good object is attained if, in such instances,
they can be got to employ themselves at work, however light. It keeps them out of mischief
by placing them directly under the eyes of the keepers, and while so engaged their minds
are diverted from their own morbid thoughts and delusions.
Finances.
Table 18 shows the annual expenditure on account of the lunatic asylum for the
year.
By Government letter No. 1037 of the 13th March, the permanent establishment of
keepers was raised from 20 to 22, at an additional charge of 12 Rs. per mensem. This
increase explains the slight excess under the head " establishment" over 1872.
There is an apparent large increase this year under the head of " diet." The price of rice
was the same, but that of mutton and fish was higher. The year 1872 was exceptional,
as vegetables, milk, and oils, were issued gratis by Government. This year vegetables have
been supplied at the contract rate, while milk, castor and mustard oils, have been sold at
prices below the bazar rates, namely at prime cost. To these causes, and to the fact that
a larger number of lunatics were fed, the increase under this head is to be referred.
The charge for " contingencies " also shows an apparent increase; but this year oil for
lighting has been paid for by Government, while last year it was obtained without any
charge being made.
The sum expended on "clothing" was less than in 1872. Three hundred blankets,
received from the Mozuffernugger jail, were delivered at the asylum at the price of
Rs. 50-8-4 per score.
The average yearly cost per man was Rs. 91-8-7; in 1872 it was Rs. 87-7-3, and in
1871, Rs. 86-1-4. The increase last year has been on account of additional establishment.
The cost of dieting each man was Rs. 46-12-8; in 1872 it was Rs 39-9-2, and in 1871
Rs. 48-13-9.
The total amount received from the friends of lunatics was larger than in any previous
year. The Cooch Behar state paid Rs. 517-4-9; the Magistrate of Dacca, Rs. 14-10-6 ;
and Rs. 24-12-0 were received for the maintenance of an insane sepoy of the 42nd Native
Infantry, according to Act XXI of 1872.
Value of lunatic
labor.
Table 19 shows the estimated value of lunatic labor, for which no payment was received.
Table 20 is the statement of the profit in cash of the lunatic labor.
Vegetables having been supplied at contract rates, and not given gratis as in the previous
year, the gain under the head of garden produce is considerable. The great obstacle to the
success of the garden is scarcity of water. The two old asylum wells supply at the most
important season a small quantity only. During the year a well of larger dimension has
been in course of construction, but is still unfinished.
Soorkee-pounding is still the most remunerative labor. After paying altogether
Rs. 278-12-0 for bricks and for the repairs of the sheds and pedals, the profits were consider-
able, though less than in 1872, when bricks cost nothing.
The supply of castor-oil seeds has been uncertain, as the local market has to be
depended on. The manufacture of mustard-oil is less profitable than it would be if store-
houses for the seed existed.
Industrial fund.
Table 21 shows the annual receipts and disbursements of the industrial fund for the
year. The balance in hand on the 1st January was Rs. 5,714-4; on the 31st December,
Rs. 5,968-2-1. Two heavy charges this year had to be met. One was a gratuity of Rs. 400
given by order of Government; the other, a sum of nearly Rs. 700 towards the construction
of a well. On the 1st January 1874 the new system of accounts was introduced, and the
industrial fund, as such, ceased to exist.
F