LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
17
Construction of new
cells delayed.
127. The construction of a new range of cells has been sanctioned by His Honor the
Lieutenant-Governor, and will be carried out at a cost not exceeding Rs. 21,500. The
Superintendent states that the order for its being " put in hand at once " was dated 30th
July 1875, but as yet nothing has been done, although several references have been made on
the subject to the Department of Public Works.
This new building will consist of 20 cells capable of accommodating 40 lunatics, two
in each cell, on the plan of the present female ward.
Dining-shed.
128. The dining-shed has been completed, and the Superintendent remarks that it will
be found very useful during the rains.
Conservancy.
129. The general conservancy of the asylum is stated to have been considerably
improved during the year. Three new privies have been constructed, and the dry-earth system
is carefully carried out in them. The night-soil is buried in shallow trenches in the garden.
Water-supply.
130. Water brought from the river and filtered was still used by the lunatics, but it
is hoped that an extension of the new water-supply for Dacca will be brought into the
asylum.
Total cost of each
patient.
131. The total cost of each patient was Rs. 107-2-8, against Rs. 108-4-6 in 1874.
Cost of dieting.
132. The cost of dieting each patient during 1875 was Rs. 57-7-9; but this sum, though
less than that of 1874, is considerably in excess of the amount expended during 1871,
1872, and 1873 on the same account.
Sum received for
patients treated
in the asylum.
133. A sum of Rs. 940-7-9 was received for the maintenance of insane patients treated
in the asylum during 1875. This shows a considerable and very satisfactory increase on the
receipts of former years under this head.
Manufactures,
account of.
134. The total sum received on account of manufactures during 1875 was Rs. 6,819-3-5,
and the total expenditure amounted to Rs. 3,321-14-9, so that the net profit accruing to the
asylum from the industry of its insane population was the sum of Rs. 3,497-4-8.
135. Dr. Smith reports favourably of Mr. Camelleri and Prosono Coomar Sein, the native
doctor, and would be glad to see the pay of the latter increased.
Visited by Miss
Mary Carpenter.
136. The asylum was visited on the 23rd December 1875 by Miss Mary Carpenter, of
Bristol, England. She found the patients carefully employed on the grounds and in
various industries, and they would not generally give an impression of being insane.
" This institution," she writes, " is a striking example of the power of good principles well
developed, and of the moral influence won over the insane by a man of loving heart and
devoted spirit, such as appeared to animate the Superintendent."
Inspected by the
Deputy Surgeon-
General, Dacca
Circle, on 9th
November 1875.
137. The asylum was inspected by the Deputy Surgeon-General of the Dacca Circle
on the 9th November 1875. On the day of his inspection, there were 58 males and 4 females
in excess of the regulated number of patients for whom there was accommodation, calculated
at the rate of 50 superficial feet for each one.
Everything in the asylum was very neat and clean, the medicines, &c., were all in good
order, and the records correctly kept up to date.
The Deputy Surgeon-General remarks in the visitors' book that but little harm would
result from the overcrowding, provided the ventilation of the different wards was not
interfered with.
PATNA
ASYLUM.
138. Patna.—The following is a summary of Dr. Simpson's annual report on the
working of the Patna Asylum during the year 1875.
Superintendence.
139. The asylum was under the superintendence of Dr. Simpson throughout the year.
Statistics.
140. The following table shows some of the statistical events of 1875, as compared with
those of the preceding five years:—
YEARS.
1870
...
...
...
1871
...
...
...
1872
...
...
...
1873
...
...
...
1874
...
...
...
Average
...
...
...
1875 ... ... ...
Daily
average
strength.
183
211
234
269
281
285.6
252
Admitted.
96
54.1
86
40.8
124
52.9
126
46.9
88
31.3
104
44.14
94.
37.30
DISCHARGED.
Cured.
40
21.8
58
27.5
54
23.1
65
24.2
38
13.5
51
21.64
34
13.49
Improved.
2
1.1
3
1.4
5
2.1
6
2.1
6
2.1
4.4
1.9
5
1.9
Otherwise.
......
......
1
.5
4
1.7
7
2.6
* 22
7.8
6.8
2.9
† 51
20.23
Deaths.
18
9.8
12
5.7
16
6.8
27
10.05
34
12.1
21.4
9.08
16
6.3
Total
discharges
and
deaths.
60
32.7
74
35.1
79
33.7
105
39.06
100
35.5
83.6
35.4
106
42.06
Note.—The smaller figures are percentages of mean strength.
* 7.1 transferred to Berhampore.
† 50
ditto
ditto.
On the 1st January 1875 the asylum population consisted of 266 persons (males 224,
females 42). This number was in excess of the average " remaining " of the five preceding
years by 45, but further analysis of the figures shows that on the 1st January 1875 the male
C