( 2 )
I am to request that, greater care may be exercised in the preparation
of the returns in future It seems probable that most of the errors pointed
out are typographical, but they should have been detected before the reports
left your office.
4. It is noticed that a lunatic managed to effect his escape from the
Delhi Asylum under circumstances which seem to denote carelessness on the
part of some of the establishment, and was not subsequently heard of. With
reference to this, I am to ask whether any enquiry was held, and, if so, with
what result.
5. The health of the inmates of both Asylums is reported to have
been indifferent during the year 1886. In the Lahore Asylum there were a
considerable number of sufferers from injuries; ophthalmia was prevalent, and
ulcers very frequent. The Lieutenant-Governor desires to know whether any
causes can be assigned for the prevalence of these complaints.
6. The question of improving the water-supply of the Lahore Asylum,
which is said to be scanty during the hot weather, is under separate consider-
ation.
Cost per head.
1885
= ed
1886
= ed
Decrease ...
Rs.
95
92
3
A.
12
1
10
P.
4
8
8
7. The Lieutenant Governor observes with satisfaction that the
average cost per head of each lunatic in the Delhi Asylum has at last been
reduced to a reasonable figure. This cost has fallen from Rs. 110-6-10 in
1884 to Rs. 95-12-4-in 1885, and to Rs. 92-1-8 in 1886, and this, it is stated,
without any discomfort to the patients. In paragraph 8 of your letter under
reply you observe that the cost of each lunatic was Rs. 3-8-7 less than in 1885.
I am, however, to point out that if the corrected figures as given in paragraph 3
of my letter No, 419, dated the 12th of June 1885, are worked on, it will be
found that the decreased cost per head on the expenditure of the year 1885 is
Rs. 3-10-8, as noted on the margin. The cost per
head at Lahore shows an increase of Rs. 2-3-4
on that for the year 1885. This increase is said
to be chiefly due to the enhanced price of pro-
visions. This explanation does not seem to be adequate with reference to the
Delhi returns.
8. The necessity of a workshed in the dangerous ward for criminal
lunatics at Lahore will be again brought to the notice of the Public Works
Department, and that Department will also be asked to provide, if possible, a
convalescent ward in the Delhi Asylum.
9. It would appear that the only paying patient in the Delhi Asylum
was a sepoy of the 45th Sikh Infantry, on whose account a sum of Rs. 4-12-0
was received. The paucity of paying patients in this Asylum, is remarkable,
and the Lieutenant-Governor will be glad to receive a report as to what steps
are taken to recover the cost of maintenance from the friends of the lunatics, or
from the lunatics themselves, if cured.
10. The Lieutenant-Governor is glad to learn that the conduct of the
subordinate establishments in both Asylums was good. The careful manage-
ment of Mr. Bernard, Overseer of the Delhi Asylum, who is said to have been
instrumental in reducing the cost of maintenance of the lunatics, is deserving of
special commendation.
11. The remarks by the Finance Committee in respect to the two
Asylums are under consideration, and will form the subject of a special report
to the Government of India.
I have, &c.,
W. M. YOUNG,
Secretary to Government, Punjab,
Punjab Government Press, Lahore.—9-7-87—224.