26
REPORT ON THE
the writer remarks:—" As for no restraint, he holds the strict carrying out of it as a senti-
mental humbug (a true word—ED.) From private accounts, and the most important journal
of England, there is preparing a powerful opposition against the extravagancies of no
restraint. In like manner the superintendent of an asylum of 800 lunatics in France gives
his views on the subject in the Annales Medico-Psychologiques (1871). Whatever the
English doctors may say, these means (camisole manchettes) are better than confinement in a
cell and the manual force of keepers. As for the oversight and repression of keepers, this
measure often gives rise to frequent struggles and scenes of disorder and tumult in the wards,
for the other patients become excited in their turn. It may be retorted in defence of the
system generally employed in France, that the no-restraint of the English (surveillance and
repression by keepers and constant isolation in cells) is only physical restraint in disguise."
"There is one evil," continues the Editor, British Medical Journal, "which it is important to
look upon in considering the question, and that is the frequent use of narcotic drugs, such as
chloral, opium, hyoscyamus, cannabis, conium, bromide of potassium, which we are convinced
are employed in many cases to act as most hurtful substitutes for the mechanical restraint
the superintendents have not the courage to use."
16. Whether restraint was or was not too freely used at Dullunda in the year that
called forth the disapproving criticism of the Inspector-General and the Government of
Bengal, I do not know; but I do know that from the month of May 1873 it has not been used
in a single case in which it was not believed by me to be good and necessary for the person
subject to it, and in which it was incompatible with my responsibility to withhold it.
17. I have given in my special report very strong positive evidence of life saved by
means of judicious restraint, and shown how death followed last year in a similar case
otherwise treated, and to this I can add a second case this year. I do not doubt that the
most positive facts may be reasoned away. It was the practice formerly with controversial-
ists to obscure adverse events in a cloud of words. Now we lean on statistics, and employ a
maze of figures to do the work; and if I desired to adhere to my old belief in non-restraint, it
would be easy for me to show that the facts adduced are so replete with arithmetical defects,
and that there are so many ratios and averages wanting, so many points not proved by them,
that it would be irrational to allow them any positive meaning at all. I fear, however, I should
fail to convince myself so long as the evidence of my senses was daily pointing the other way,
and I prefer, therefore, to accept and report facts as I see them.
18. Taking this view, it is interesting to me to note that out of nine cases in which exhaus-
tion of mania constituted or contributed to the cause of death, four only occurred during the
eight months in which the use of the bag was governed by the principle I have asserted,
against five in half the time at the commencement of the year ; and of the four, one was the
case in which death had before been to all appearances averted by the use of the bag, and
occurred only when, deferring to the opinion of official authority, I refrained from employing it.
Finances.
19. Finance.—Tables 18 to 20 set forth the money cost of the asylum during the year,
as well as the financial results of manufactures and other labor of lunatics. The average cost
per man was Rs. 117, against Rs. 123 in the year 1872. This amount is obtained by deduct-
ing manufacturing proceeds after first debiting the cost of manufactures to the general fund,
and thus it is materially affected by the high price of raw materials during the year. There
was also a considerable addition to the establishment. The overseer's pay was increased, and
these items added Rs. 140 per month to the charge under this heading. For clothing, and in
a great measure for feeding also, the Government paid only the cost of raw material. The
rate charged for food, viz. Rs. 62-4-5, is obtained by charging at bazar rates for rice
(cleaned), atta, &c. It is only an estimate, not an actual outlay; but the figure is high, as
the market rates were so.
Subordinates :
Overseer.
20. Conduct of Subordinates.—Of Overseer Bancroft's rare qualifications of character
and ability, I can only repeat words of eulogy often used before. I am gratified to find that
in my absence he earned the same high testimony from others, as it is my yearly duty and
pleasure to accord to him on the daily evidence he gives me of devotion to the asylum.
Matron.
Mrs. Monteiro, the matron, continues also to deserve the most favorable report at my
hands. Nothing is wanting in the female-ward that industry, good temper, and judgment on
her part can supply.
Native Doctor.
The Native Doctor, Indramun, is a well-qualified man professionally, and often pleases
me much by his desire to improve his knowledge, and the warm interest he takes in new
remedies and means of treatment; but he is uncertain, dislikes being disturbed at night, and
has certain other little infirmities of character which bring him into conflict with those
to whom he should defer. His recent conduct gives me hope that he may yet become
a useful man.
Writer.
Though he is not strictly connected with the asylum administration, the exceptional
industry of the accountant and writer deserves a few words of approval in this place. He
is heavily pressed at times, and without a murmur is frequently to be found at his desk late
in the night. He does a great deal of work, and does it all exceedingly well.
The native attendants are as good as can be made of the only available material.