4
21. In comparing the cost per head at both Asylums, I find that the
net charge for each lunatic was at Delhi Rs. 5-15-2 in excess of what it was
at Lahore. But the difference in estimating the net charge at each Asylum
makes this comparison not quite exact, because the item of lunatics' labor, which
is included in the cost per head at Delhi, has been excluded at Lahore.
If this expenditure be added, the net charge per head at Lahore will be
Rs. 93-11-9 against Rs. 95-10-2 at Delhi, showing only an excess of Re. 1-14-5
per head at the latter Asylum.
22. I find that the establishment at the Delhi Asylum costs Rs. 47-8-1
per head, while at the Lahore Asylum it costs Rs. 44-2-10 per head, which shows
a difference of Rs. 3-5-3 in favor of Lahore. The higher cost at Delhi is, I think,
explained by the fact that the establishment must be proportionally more costly
in the smaller Asylum.
The cost of dieting per head is at Lahore Rs. 41-0-11, and at Delhi
Rs. 36-14-10. This difference is not so easy of explanation, as it is not ap-
parent why it should cost annually over Rs. 4 per head more to feed a lunatic
at Lahore than it does at Delhi. The price current of food supplies at both
places explains to some extent the difference, but there appears to be a different
and more expensive diet scale in use at Lahore than at Delhi. I shall enquire
into this matter.
Under contingencies, the expenditure in both Asylums is nearly
the same, being Rs. 5-11-11 per head at Delhi and Rs. 5-0-4 per head at
Lahore.
The monthly contingent bills of both Asylums are checked in my office,
and I do not think any reductions are feasible.
The expenditure under the head of bedding and clothing was also very
similar in both Asylums, being Rs. 6-2-7 per head at Lahore and Rs. 5-5-5 at
Delhi. The expenditure seems reasonable in both Asylums.
23. It will be seen from the figures I have quoted that the net expend-
iture per head has decreased at Lahore last year by Rs. 3-6-3 from what it was
in 1888, the calculation being based for purposes of comparison on the system
adopted in 1888. At Delhi, there was a reduction of Rs. 7-11-8 per head, which
is satisfactory.
Notwithstanding the reduction, the net cost per head at Delhi is
Rs. 5-15-2 more than at Lahore, which may be ascribed to the fact that at
Lahore the value of lunatics' labor is omitted from the calculation, columns 15
to 20, Statement IX., and to the smaller number of lunatics at Delhi, which
proportionately increases the cost of establishment.
24. The net profit from manufactures at Lahore during the last year
was Rs. 1,396-14-11 compared with Rs. 1,232-9-3 in 1888, being an increase of
Rs. 164-5-8. At Delhi the profits amounted to Rs. 606-12-7, against
Rs. 792-14-8, being a decrease of Rs. 186-2-1. The falling off at Delhi is ascribed
to the fact that there was a large supply of clothing in stock at the close of
1888 and only a small number of blankets were made.
25. Year after year attention has been drawn to the condition of the
Asylum building at Lahore. His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor paid the insti-
tution a visit in December last, and came to the conclusion that the building of a
new Asylum in a more suitable locality was not feasible owing to financial
considerations. He pointed out certain alterations in the present building which
will improve matters, and a scheme in accordance with these has been
submitted.
26. At Delhi, certain improvements have been effected during the year.
A boiler and soaking tank were completed, drains are under construction, and
the solitary cells have been ventilated.