( 8 )
seldom arises in the asylum. The dietaries and the death-rates have had no appa-
rent connection. At present the average consumption of food is about 36 ounces per
patient daily. It is of excellent quality. The great saving in 1878 has been due to a dimi-
nution in the number of first class patients, and of pure Europeans who eat more than
Eurasians. The average cost of diets has varied from 7 annas 6 pies in 1863 to 13 annas
6 pies in 1877 ; but, as already pointed out by Dr. Payne, this is a mere arithmetical mean,
and does not correctly represent the expenditure on either class of patients. The first class
patients have cost much more, and the pauper patients much less than the average. The
variations have depended on the proportions of different classes of patients and of Europeans
and Eurasians. Since 1876 there have been four classes of patients, the first three paying
Rs. 150, Rs. 80, and Rs. 45 respectively, the fourth paying nothing. Up to 1877 no attempt
was made to distribute the cost of dieting the different classes, but this is now done as far as
practicable. It is found that first class patients cost about Rs. 32 per mensem, second class
Rs. 17, third class from Rs. 10 to Rs. 12, and fourth class from Rs. 8 to Rs. 10; the amount
varying with the season of the year. The daily expenditure on fourth class patients varies
from about 3 annas 2 pies to 5 annas 2 pies according to season, the average being about
4 annas 1 pie. This, however, does not represent with absolute exactness the true value,
since waste is not permitted, and any food remaining unused from the first and second class
tables is very properly utilized in feeding the others. This would bring up the true value
of a fourth class diet to about 4 annas 6 pies a day. All the patients said they had plenty
to eat, and many of them frequently leave a considerable portion of their food. The
Committee are satisfied after careful enquiry and examination that the food leaves nothing
to be desired either in quality or quantity, and the numbers being small, much greater
variety in cooking is possible than in the large hospitals. The Committee think that in the
past the cost of diet has been greater than was at all necessary, but this was a direct
consequence of the system by which many of the patients were far better fed than they had
ever been at home.
16. With regard to the Committee's recommendation that the pay of the
Deputy Superintendent of the European Asylum at Bhowanipore should begin at Rs. 250,
and rise by annual increments of Rs. 10 per mensem to a maximum of Rs. 400, the
Lieutenant-Governor, while acknowledging the good work done by Mr. DeVere,
the Deputy Superintendent, regrets his inability, under existing financial cir-
cumstances, to recommend any increase to his present pay. The recommenda-
tion of the Committee will, however, be kept in view.
* J. O'Kinealy, Esq. ... ...
Surgeon-Major J. M. Coates ... ...
„
J. Jones ... ...
„
S. C. Mackenzie ...
C. Macanlay, Esq. ... ...
Surgeon-Major R. Harvey ... ...
Pretident.
Members.
Secretary.
17. The Lieutenant-Governor desires that an expression of his thanks be
conveyed to the President* and
those members of the Com-
mittee who took part in the
enquiry, for the full and clear
report which they have sub-
mitted on the working of the
Lunatic Asylums in Bengal, and the practical suggestions which they have made.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of this resolution, together with a copy of
the report, be forwarded to the Surgeon-General, Bengal, for information, and
for communication to the Superintendents of the several lunatic asylums.
Ordered also that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Account-
ant-General for information.
Ordered also that a copy of the resolution, together with a copy of the
report, be forwarded to the Inspector-General of Jails for information.
Ordered also that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to each member
of the Committee for information, and that it be published in the Calcutta
Gazette.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
A. MACKENZIE,
Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
No. 68.
COPY of the above Resolution, together with a copy of the report, forwarded
to the Surgeon-General for information, and for communication to the
Superintendents of the several Lunatic Asylums.
No. 69.
COPY forwarded to the Accountant-General for information.