4
The old barracks, especially those with more than two rows of beds, are objec-
tionable ; and so are such of the newer rooms as have not through ventilation. At
the Tezpur Asylum things are much more serious, as it has been overcrowded throughout
the whole triennium. In 1905 the capacity was 161, the average number of patients 169,
and the maximum number 177. The capacity of the male wards was 131, the average
number of patients 138, and the maximum 143. The capacity of the female wards was
30, the average 31, and the maximum 34.
To relieve this, one new barrack has been completed, another is in course of construc-
tion, and it is intended that two more shall be built ultimately. The older barracks
in this asylum are very inferior.
The capacity in the asylums is calculated at 50 square feet per patient. This with
a height of 13½ feet would give 675 cubic feet, with a height of 14 feet 700, and with a
height of 15 feet 750—a good deal more than the allowance in a prison barrack, but a
good deal less than the allowance in a prison hospital.
Colonel Weir, I.M.S., Inspector General of Prisons, who inspected the asylum,
agrees with me that there ought to be a proper opaque partition between the male and
female enclosures.
Sanitary and hospital arrange-
ments.
The sanitary arrangements at both asylums are carefully supervised. The lunatics,
of course, are constantly defiling the barracks ; and washing,
scrubbing, and the free use of phenyle are required daily.
There is no means of heating the barracks or hospitals.
The water-supply is good, though the wells at Tezpur are not so well protected as at
Dacca. Night-soil is trenched by rule in the garden, and at least at Dacca there is a
destructor for consuming by fire infectious stools. The gardens at each asylum are large
and well managed, and supply plenty of vegetables for the lunatics. At Tezpur an
American evaporator has been started, in order to preserve dried vegetables for the rainy
season. The food at both asylums is excellent and well-cooked, and the inmates are
kindly treated as regards personal likings. Clothing and bedding are of course often torn
or soiled, but the supply is liberal. To such of the lunatics as can be got to take it,
prophylactic quinine is issued, throughout the year at Dacca, from May to November at
Tezpur. At Dacca, and perhaps at Tezpur also, lunatics losing weight or in feeble health
are placed in an infirm gang and receive special attention ; and at Dacca the stools of new-
ly admitted lunatics are systematically examined as to the presence of parasites or ova of
parasites. At Dacca the hospital is an old building with an asphalte floor which wears
into holes. Colonel Campbell has introduced a very simple, cheap, and convenient style
of wooden bed for the hospital, and intends to generalize it gradually throughout the
asylum. At Tezpur a fine pucca hospital to accommodate 14 male patients has been
built at a cost of Rs. 8,000. Its arrangements for night-watch are not so convenient as
they might have been, and unfortunately its floor is also of asphalte. The female hospi-
tal at Tezpur is a poor place.
Inspections.
8. The asylum at Dacca was inspected in 1903 by His Honour the Lieutenant-
Governor of Bengal, by the Inspector General of Civil Hos-
pitals, Bengal, and by the Inspector General of Prisons,
Bengal; and in 1905 by His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of Eastern Bengal and
Assam, by the Inspector General of Civil Hospitals, Eastern Bengal and Assam, and by
the Inspector General of Prisons, Eastern Bengal and Assam. The Tezpur asylum was
inspected thrice by the Honourable the Chief Commissioner, once by the Commissioner,
and thrice by the Administrative Medical Officer.
Fifteen meetings of the committee of visitors of the Tezpur asylum were held during
the 3 years ; but at Dacca the visitors met at the asylum monthly.
General remarks.
9. (a) As regards building, the Dacca asylum is a much more pucca institution than
the Tezpur asylum, but the latter is in an active condition
of reconstruction.
(b) The wells at Tezpur are not yet properly protected, to prevent accidents, as
they are at Dacca ; and I have brought this to the notice of the Superintendent.
(c) I am of opinion that the use of mechanical restraint in the treatment of lunatics
should be placed under restrictions similar to those in force in England, and I am submit-
ting the necessary proposals separately.
(d) At the Dacca asylum a keeper was fined and dismissed for striking a lunatic.
(e) Amusements such as theatrical entertainments, gramophone recitals, nautches,
treats of sweets and fruit, books and newspapers, were provided for the lunatics ; and
extra diet, pan, and tobacco were given as rewards for hard work and good conduct.
The expenditure at Dacca on these items, Rs. 366.13, was met from the Nawab of
Dacca's Entertainment Fund.