17
necessary to purchase fodder for the garden bullocks , whereby an expenditure of Rs. 37
was incurred.
10. Garden.—The garden has been kept in good order, and there has been an
ample supply of vegetables.
11. Diet.—There has not been any change made in the dietary since last year.
12. Buildings.—The buildings are fairly well adapted for the purpose.
There is a sufficient number of cells for the separate confinement of criminal and
dangerous lunatics. A convalescent ward or barrack is much needed. It is essential
that convalescents should be separated from those who are noisy, abusive and filthy in their
habits. Such an arrangement would greatly increase the usefulness of the institution, but
the matter has not been pressed as it has been known for some time that it is not impossible
this Asylum will be closed. The European ward has been provided with iron grated doors.
The expenditure on buildings is shown in Statement IX.
13. Water-supply.—The water from the Asylum well has been analysed twice
during the year by the Chemical Examiner, who pronounced it of good quality. There will
be no difficulty in extending the new water scheme for the jail which is now in progress,
should it be determined to maintain the Asylum, at present water is carried in pukhals.
14. Establishment.—Surgeon-Major G. C. Ross held charge from the 1st January
to the 17th March, when I relieved him and held charge until the end of the year, with the
exception of a period, from the 1st September to 25th October, I was on privilege leave,
when Dr. D. N. P. Datta officiated for me.
The Deputy Superintendent and Matron, Mr. and Mrs. Bernard, have discharged
their duties satisfactorily.
The warders have, with few exceptions, discharged their duties fairly well.
T. E. LINDESAY BATES,
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.
Copy of a letter No. 95, dated 23rd March 1887, from DENZIL IBBETSON, Esquire, Deputy Commissioner of Delhi,
to A. R. BULMAN, Esquire, Commissioner and Superintendent, Delhi Division.
I HAVE the honor to submit the report and returns on the working of the Delhi
Lunatic Asylum for the year 1886, and to state that they were received on the afternoon
of the 21st instant.
2. At the close of the year 1885 there were 96 lunatics under care and treatment
in the Asylum, and the number admitted during the year under report was 45, thus giving
a total population of 141, or 111 males and 30 females. During the year under review,
15 lunatics were discharged cured, 13 were made over to the care of friends, 6 were dis-
charged as proving not insane, and one effected his escape through the carelessness,
it is said, of a warder, leaving 95 lunatics under treatment at the close of the year, as against
96 of the year preceding. The lunatic who got out of the Asylum managed to effect his
escape by means of a scaffolding which had been erected by workmen employed at the time
in raising the boundary wall. Intimation of the escape was at once sent to the police, but
the man has not yet been traced.
3. The health of the inmates of the Asylum has not been as good during 1886 as
it was in the preceding year, owing principally to the prevalence of malarial fever after the
last monsoon rains. As in 1885, there were 11 deaths, viz., 2 from phthisis, 3 from pneu-
monia, 2 from dysentery, 1 from general dropsy, 1 from crysipelas, and 2 from debility ;
and it is noticeable that almost all these deaths occurred among the older inmates of the
Asylum.
4. The gross income of the Asylum amounted to Rs. 1,395-12-4, and this sum
includes two items of Rs. 469 and Rs 96 on account of outside contributions for the
maintenance of non-criminal lunatics. The profits on labour amounted to Rs. 825-9-3
against Rs. 963-8-2 realised in 1885, and Rs. 876-5-7 in 1884. The decrease is attributed
to the Asylum garden being unable to meet the demand for fresh vegetables ; to a decrease
in outturn of the weaving department of the Asylum manufactory owing to less new clothing
being required by the inmates ; and to the fact that for three months of the year fodder
had to be purchased for the garden bullocks, the garden having hitherto met this demand.
The first and last grounds would appear to be conflicting.
5. There has again been a satisfactory decrease in the expenditure, namely from
Rs. 10,344 to Rs. 10,132. For the past three years there has been a steady decrease
in the cost per head. The cost during 1886 was Rs. 92-1-8, and this gives a decrease of
Rs. 3-8-7, as compared with the cost of 1885. In the latter year, there was a decrease of
Rs. 14-12-7 and in 1884 a decrease of Rs. 7-2-5. These satisfactory results are said to be
due to the careful management of Mr. Bernard, the Overseer of the Asylum.
6. As usual, much attention continues to be paid to the employment of lunatics on
light labour. Out of an average daily strength 101, 61 lunatics were thus employed, the
most profitable labour being that devoted to weaving.
7. The Asylum buildings are said to be in good condition, and " fairly well adapted
for the purpose; " but the Superintendent adds that a ward or barrack for the accommo-
dation of convalescents is much needed.
No. 160, dated Delhi, the 26th March 1887.
Endorsement by the Commissioner, Delhi Division.
COPY of the foregoing with original enclosures submitted to W. M. Young , Esq.,
Secretary to Government , Punjab, for information.