ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
9
IX-A.—Abstract of Cash Account as per G.O., No. 1344, of 12th August 1890.
Asylum.
Madras ...
Waltair ...
Calicut ...
Establishment.
Total cost.
RS.
24,378
2,724
4,941
A.
13
0
3
P.
5
0
11
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
RS.
56
51
36
A.
4
4
13
P.
10
8
7
Diet.
Total cost.
RS.
30,078
1,931
6,397
A.
2
2
4
P.
1
11½
10
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
RS.
69
36
47
A.
7
5
11
P.
6
9
4
Clothing and Bed
ding.
Total cost.
RS.
4,410
132
724
A.
1
10
6
P.
6
0
0
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
RS.
10
2
5
A.
2
7
6
P.
11
11
5
Medicines.
Total cost.
RS.
3,331
30
973
A.
13
1
10
P.
11
0
7
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
RS.
7
0
7
A.
11
9
4
P.
1
1
2
Contingencies.
Total cost.
RS.
2,969
508
1,416
A.
4
7
10
P.
11
6
4
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
RS.
6
9
10
A.
13
9
9
P.
8
2
0
Grand Total.
Total cost.
RS.
65,168
5,326
14,453
A.
3
5
3
P.
10
5½
8
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
RS.
150
100
107
A.
8
4
12
P.
0
7
6
1891.
Madras ...
Waltair ...
Calicut ...
23,607
2,724
4,245
4
0
15
11
0
3
56
51
30
3
12
1
4
9
9
30,496
1,826
6,437
15
10
3
8
3
0
72
34
45
9
11
10
9
9
5
3,911
161
659
2
13
2
0
6
5
9
3
4
5
1
10
0
3
9
2,982
278
1,091
6
9
4
3
6
11
7
5
7
1
4
11
7
9
10
2,030
128
936
10
9
1
5
3
7
4
2
6
13
7
10
4
1
2
63,028
5,119
13,369
7
10
11
3
6
2
150
97
94
1
5
13
0
7
1
It will be seen from the above that the cost per head of an insane in each of the
asylum compares favorably with that of 1890. In Madras it was Rs. 150-1-0
against Rs. 150-8-0, while in Waltair and Calicut the fall has been considerable,
being Rs. 97-5-7 and Rs. 94-13-1 against Rs. 100-4-7 and Rs. 107-12-6, respectively.
In the Madras Asylum there has been an increase under diet, which, however, is
more than counterbalanced by savings under other items. The reason for this
increase has been carefully investigated, and it has been found to be due to the
combination of the following causes :—
(a) An increase in the average number of paying patients on special diet.
This class of insanes get a liberal diet as they pay for it. Each patient of this class
cost on an average Rs. 18 per mensem. During 1890 the average daily number of
paying patients was 8.19, in 1891 12.16, a difference of 4 in round numbers. This
gives approximately a sum of Rs. 864 as the annual charge, but as the paying
patients have been included in the total 420 who were fed at a cost of Rs. 72-9-9
per head, the charge for four pauper patients, about Rs. 291, is to be deducted from
864, giving a sum of Rs. 573 as the true cost of the increased number of paying
patients.
(b) An increase in the price of articles of food-supply obtained on the
purveyance system ; for example, the purchasing power of the rupee for rice,
raggi and dholl was, respectively, 5/8, 2⅛ and 2½ measures less than in 1890. The
maund of coffee, ghee, gingely oil and sugar were, respectively, 1 rupee 3 annas,
6 annas, 8 annas, and 3 annas dearer than in 1890.
Government in G.O., No. 192, of 29th January 1892, remark that firewood,
mutton and ghee are items of large expenditure, &c. As regards mutton, it has
always been obtained through the asylum contractor ; the rate per lb. in each of
the three years ending 1891-92 was 2 annas 3 pies, 2 annas 4 pies, and 2 annas 3
pies, respectively, which cannot be considered extravagant or even high ; the con
tract rate for this year is 2 annas 2 pies per lb., and the present ruling bazaar rate
is, I believe, 2 annas 8 pies.
Firewood was obtained by purchase through the purveyor; in 1890-91 it cost
Rs. 9 per ton, in 1891-92 Rs. 8-6-0, and this year's " tender in bulk " is Rs. 9-4-0 ;
the present ruling market price is, I am informed, Rs. 11-10-8. The price of ghee
for this year under the new system is 8 annas per lb.; the bazaar rate being, I am
informed, 8 annas 6 pies. These rates are higher than the contract rate for 1889-90,
which was 6 annas 8 pies and also higher than the purchase system through pur-
veyors in the two succeeding years which were 6 annas 5 pies and 6 annas 11 pies
respectively.
(c) Another cause is the general unhealthiness of the year which necessi
tated a more liberal diet to those on the convalescent gang. These persons are
3