Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner of Assam, General Department,
dated Shillong, the 2?jrd June, 1879.
READ—
Annual Report on the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum for tlio year 1878.
Letter No. 57 S., from the Deputy-Surgeon-General, Assam Circle, forwarding, with comments?
the above Report.
READ also again—
Resolution of the Report on the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum for the year 1877.
RESOLUTION.
THE Annual Report shows a satisfactory improvement in all directions on the results
of last year. With an increased population, the diminution in mortality, in sickness, and
in escapes are all satisfactory indications of good management, while the financial figures
show a careful regard to economy, in feeding and clothing,—an economy which the healthy
condition of the inmates proves to be obtained by strict supervision, and not by inj udicious
limitation of supplies.
2. The Chief Commissioner personally inspected the Asylum in July, 1878, and
again in February, 1879, and adds his testimony to that of Dr. DeRenzy as to the admirable
cleanliness and cheerful aspect of the place, and the rapid improvements made by Dr« Garden.
He is very glad to learn that Dr. DeRenzy accepts the view that bamboo huts, if properly
secured from damp, are more healthy for the Assam climate than masonry structures. This
is the Chief Commissioner's own conviction, and it has an important bearing on the future
of the Province. To construct masonry buildings for all the jails, lock-ups, and Lunatic
Asylum of the Province is quite out of reach of its present finances, and it is highly desir-
able not to spend more money on the more costly class of building, if the less costly des-
cription suffices for the maintenance of health. Suggestions for such minor improvements
is a hut for the native medical subordinate, an improved palisade, and the cistern and
pump recommended by Dr. DeRenzy should be submitted separately for sanction.
3. The Chief Commissioner notices that of the 46 patients in the Asylum at the close
of the year, no less than 17 were foreigners,—imported coolies. As Assam gets the benefit
of these imported coolies, it is quite fair that the Province should pay the cost of their
maintenance in the Asylum, but it is otherwise with the case of those mentioned in para. 1-1
of the report, who are of unsound mind (though passed as fit to labour) when sent into
the Province. These persons have no such claim; but their numbers are probably not
sufficient to make it worth while to address the Government of Bengal on the subject.
4. It is satisfactory to find that, with a larger daily average of inmates, the total net
cost of the Asylum has fallen from Rs. 6,2G2 to Rs. 5,891 during the year under review. The
cost per head has fallen from Rs. 17G to Rs. 115. This latter figure is still very high, but
the small number of inmates, combined with the cost of food and labour in Tezpur, render
futile any comparison with the cost of Asylums in other parts of India. There were only
two deaths during the year. A mortality rate of less than 5 per cent, is as low as such
an Asylum can ever hope to show.
5. Dr. DeRenzy attributes the great improvement in the health of the inmates, and
notably the diminished severity of diarrhoea and dysentery, partly to improved drainage,
but mainly to the fact that well-water was used almost exclusively, and but little
recourse was had to the water of the Mora Bhorelli for purposes of ablution. There seems
good reason to accept this view, and the Chief Commissioner will be glad to receive a pro-
posal for further deepening the well, and for the establishment of a force pump and cistern
with taps. The cost (Rs. 2,000) mentioned in Dr. Garden's report seems unnecessarily
high, but a proper estimate should be made, and, after having the project carefully
examined, the Chief Commissioner will see what can be granted to carry it out.