v
35. The period embraced is a long one, and the downward course of figures from 65,000
in 1860 to 9,352 in 1877 shows many fluctuations; but the table bears in one or other of
its columns the reason and explanation of every important difference. I do not wish it to
be supposed that this money saving is anything more than the natural result of correcting
errors. That it is so large is due to the magnitude of the errors, and these were so obvious
that to leave them alone would have been censurable. If rigorous economy had been pur-
sued in these years as a sole object, the results might be regarded as not altogether unsucess-
ful; but so little has this been the case that, until the present time, I have never even
collected facts to show general financial results. Proposals have been strengthened by the know-
ledge that the public purse would benefit, but I am especially anxious to guard against the
supposition that economy has in any instance been effected at the expense of the lunatics.
The largest reforms, though first suggested by money considerations, were seen, before they
were brought forward, to subserve also the well-being of the people. The imbecile soldier
would carry his foibles more comfortably in a troop-ship than as the associate of maniacs
under special provision. The mad pauper sent to England would be more cheaply housed
and fed there than here, but many a one would (and did) recover; some would find
friends, and all would be better there. In denying heavy food and stimulants to men
without work or regular exercise, I have had regard to their health, and the avoidance of
waste, but dietary charges have of course come down in consequence. I certainly did not
see why insane seamen should be carried home at the cost of this Government when all
other seamen, sick and distressed, were removed by the Board of Trade. Nor did I see why
persons in affluence should be altogether maintained by the State for a monthly sum which
in private life would not buy the services of a single sick nurse ; but these were the only
reforms proposed in which money was the sole consideration.
36. On the other hand, when I have thought more outlay was wanted, I have not
scrupled to make it or ask for it, and have met with unvarying support in doing so, except
on one or two occasions when applications in favour of subordinates have been rejected.
37. Economy thus effected claims no favourable notice at the hands of authority; but
the result is that, after now scrutinizing every item of charge with sole reference to finance,
I cannot see the way to any further reduction of importance, except such as may arise from
sedulously guarding against the abuse of Government charity by individuals. * * * *
38. In connection with reimbursement, I may conclude this paper by menitoning two
suggestions which I have lately had it in mind to submit relating to the pauper patients:—
First, that as the Government is now made to pay Rs. 45 per mensem for every pauper sent
to Bombay, so long as he may remain in asylum there, so other Governments and Admin-
istrations, viz. North-Western Provinces, Oudh, and Panjab, may be required to pay
at the same rate to Bengal for all public lunatics transmitted to us, and may also be debited
with the cost of their removal to Europe. Secondly, that municipalities be required to pay to
the asylum Rs. 45 per mensem for paupers admitted from within their limits, as such persons
are supported from local funds in England, and that the cost of their transport, when it is
necessary, may be recovered from the same sources.
1
YEARS.
1857
...
1858 ...
1859 ...
1860-61 ...
1861-62 ...
1862-63 ...
1863-64 ...
1864-65 ...
1865-66 ...
1866-67 ...
1867-68 ...
1868-69 ...
1869-70 ...
1870-71 ...
1871-72 ...
1872-73 ...
1873-74 ...
1874-75 ...
1875-76 ...
1876-77 ...
1877 ...
1878** ...
2
Daily average number of
inmates.
...
...
...
59
56
46
36
26
27
23
25
26
27
25
30
38
27
25
26
26
29
28
3
4
DITEING.
Food.
Rs.
12,312
12,593
16,230
16,033
14,922
12,661
6,042
6,647
4,907
5,458
7,185
6,962
6,537
6,719
7,266
8,178
6,414
5,923
6,893
7,696
8,866
4,275
Wines, &c.
Rs.
768
1,247
1,138
912
418
593
113
142
446
261
273
196
3
6
14
27
86
40
150
96
140
18
5
6
ESTABLISHMENT.
Public.
European.
Rs.
5,913
5,315
5,680
5,640
5,363
4,795
4,215
3,700
3,062
4,292
4,998
5,520
5,520
5,520
5,059
5,121
5,520
5,206
4,783
5,453
5,346
4,897
Native.
Rs.
5,796
5,796
5,796
5,793
5,793
5,733
4,189
4,002
4,791
4,001
4,263
4,189
4,956
4,878
4,978
4,955
4,903
4,862
4,902
4,788
4,871
4,483
Private.
Rs.
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
......
95
172
760
456
326
575
901
469
466
487
889
1,698
1,475
7
Sundries in asylum.
Rs.
2,118
1,736
2,438
2,783
2,604
1,482
2,589
1,714
2,512
2,145
2,995
2,294
2,453
1,513
1,876
2,472
2,144
1,601
2,398
2,541
2.793¶
1,799
8
9
CLOTHING AND
BEDDING.
Asylum.
Rs.
241
490
1,014
865
1,745
1,444
584
1,366
777
806
1,732
2,071
2,419
1,664
1,264
1,869
1,397
1,841
1,752
1,707
696
851
Sea outfits.
Rs.
2,814
2,616
2,796
1,241
1,395
792
2,764
785
2,695
1,865
......
2,770
1,868
1,170
338
1,295
232
95
57
......
33
......
10
Cost of passage to Europe.
Rs.
20,250
14,300
37,700
33,550
25,700
17,400
24,000
14,850
8,750
15,900
......
22,750
19,600
11,300
In Govern-
ment vessel
10,434
......
8,500
2,750
......
1,552
......
11
Total expenditure in asylum
(columns 3 to 8).
Rs.
27,148
27,177
32,296
32,026
30,845
26,708
17,682
17,571
16,495
17,058
21,568
21,992
22,344
20,626
21,032
23,523
20,933
19,939
21,305
23,170
25,995
17,798
12
Total cost of despatching
lunatics to Europe (co-
lumns 9 and 10).
Rs.
23,064
16,916
40,496
34,791
27,095
18,192
26,764
15.635
11,445
17,765
......
25,520
21,468
12,470
338
11,729
232
8,595
2,807
......
1,585
......
13
Grand total.
Rs.
50,212
44,093
72,792
66,817
57,940
44,900
44,446
33,206
27,940
34,823
21,568
47,512
43,812
33,096
21,370
35,252
21,165
28,534
24,172
23,170
25,995
17,798
14
15
PAYING-PATIENTS,
NON-MILITARY
(CALENDER YEAR).
Total
number
treated.
13
15
15
15
12
21
10
13
7
7
11
14
14
15
18
18
11
18
22
15
29
32
Amount received,
exclusive of sol-
diers' payment,
Rs.
799*
1,629*
1,629*
1,629*
732*
1,399
938
799
1,345
1,884
3,097
1,478
l,796†
1,629
3,633‡
3,578
3,275
3,869§
5,099
7,593
16,499
16,266
16
Net cost to local Govern-
ment, deducting column
15 from 13.
Rs.
49,413
42,464
71,163
65,188
57,208
43,501
43,508
32,407
26,595
32,939
18,471
46,034
42,016
31,467
17,737
31,674
17,890
24,665
19,073
15,577
9,496
1,532
* Actual receipts for the first five years are not ascertainable. The amounts here given for the sake of comparison are the same as those realized from
the same numbers of patients in subsequent years. This plan assumes that the proportion of first and second class patients was the same and the amounts
must therefore be taken as only approximately true.
† In addition to this, arrears due by an estate recovered by law, Rs. 800.
‡ Rs. 5,325 recovered from same estate in addition to the amount entered.
§ Rs. 1,884 from estate, as above.
|| Removed vid Bombay. Cost estimated at Rs. 550 per man.
¶ Nearly Rs. 1,000 given as sundries was required for furnishing rooms and table for first class patients making enhanced payment.
** These figures are added to complete the table. There were no first class patients in 1878.