Resolution on the Report of the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum for 1888.
Extract from the Proceedings oj the Chief Commissioner of Assam in the General
Department, No. 2,215, dated Shillong, the 5th April 1889.
READ—'
Letter No. 445C, dated Camp, Nowcrong, the 1st March 1889, from {the Deputy-Surgeon-
General, Assam District, to the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam, forward-
ing the Annual Report on the Tezpur Lunatic Asylum for the year 1888.
RESOLUTION.
THIS Report was received in the Chief Commissioner's O.'ftee on the 6th March
1889, with a nearer approach to punctuality than in the preceding three years. The
due date, however, is 1st February.
2. The report is encumbered with several items of standing information, and with
the repetition of figures separately shown in the statements accompanying it. References
to such matters as clothing, drainage, and the use of the dry-earth system, which have
been reported upon year after year, and in respect of which no alteration has taken
place during the year, are uncalled for in an annual report. It is equally unnecessary
to repeat in the body of the report information such as that relating to the residence of
those admitted, the religion of the insanes, and the alleged causes of insanity, which has
already been shown in a better and more intelligible form in the statements. Statistics
of this nature for a single year have no value, and their proper place, in the absence of
circumstances requiring explanation, is in the statements, and not in the text of the
report. Statistics under these heads, embodying the general results of a series of years and
the total results from the foundation of the Asylum to date of the report may, however,
advantageously be shown in the body of the report for purposes of comparison. It is
also observed that in some cases in which explanations appear to be actually required,
they have been omitted. For instance, it is said that " the vegetable garden was a
comparative failure," but no explanation of this result is given.
3. The facts and figures in connection with the working of the Asylum during the
past year are given in the report and statements, and need not be recapitulated. The most
important point, indeed almost the only point, demanding attention is the fact that there
were three escapes during the year. The Chief Commissioner would have supposed that the
Superintendent would have offered some explanation of these escapes, but such is not the
case. The only reference to the point is a passage in the Deputy-Surgeon-General's
forwarding letter, in which an opinion is expressed that the escapes were due to a want
of watchfulness and care, and that they would probably not have occurred if the estab-
lishment had done their duty thoroughly. In this opinion the Chief Commissioner,
judging from what he saw on the occasion of his recent inspection, is disposed to concur,
and has called for a detailed report of the circumstances from the Deputy-Commissioner,
on receipt of which it will be considered whether measures should not be taken to render
more stringent the discipline and control at present exercised over the inmates of the
Asylum. As regards the observations on the dispensary and medicines recorded in the
Deputy-Surgeon-General's inspection note, forwarded with the report, it is not necessary
for the Chief Commissioner to take any action, as Dr. Costello will doubtless see that
whatever is necessary is done in these respects.
4. With the exceptions noted above, Mr. Fitzpatrick was glad to observe on the
occasion of his inspection that the condition of the Asylum appeared to be generally
satisfactory, and concurs with the Deputy-Surgeon-General in his remark that Dr.
Campbell deserves commendation for his efficient management of the institution.
A. B. Preas (General) No. 107—195—G-4-89.
By Order of the Chief Commissioner of Assam,
F. C. DAUKES,
Offg. Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Assam.