PATNA ASYLUM.                                                     57

were raised 4 feet, and railing introduced between the outside pillars, to prevent the men
at work being interfered with by lunatics outside. The whole of the above repairs were
executed out of the profits of manufacture, and at a cost of about Rs. 200. The dismantling of
the roof was rendered necessary by the great leakage during the rains, owing to the low pitch
of the roof, and also because the walls were found to be cracking.

It is my intention during the present season to erect a new shed for the manufacture of
castor oil for the use of the asylum, as well as for sale, as soon as there are sufficient bricks
ready for the purpose.

I also propose erecting two English looms, for the manufacture of table covers, as some of the
patients have become skilled in the art of weaving. Most of the criminal lunatics are employed
in weaving cloth, tape, table-covers, blankets, and in spinning putooa, and have lately turned
out some excellent work. The ordinary lunatics make mustard oil, bricks, soorkey, and are also
employed in gardening, road-making, tailoring, &c.

At the north-east corner of the compound there is a tank which was dug during the
famine of 1869 by order of the commissioner at a cost of Rs. 837-9-9, in order to give employment
to the poor. In the warm weather, however, last year it was found to dry up, and was a great
nuisance, inasmuch as it was constantly resorted to by the patients as a privy. Mr. Nowlan,
the new overseer, on his arrival, set about remedying this at once by deepening and enlarging
this tank so as to ensure a constant supply of water. The excavated earth was used to raise the
general level of the garden. The females are generally employed in making atta for the use
of the inmates of the asylum, in spinning cotton and wool for manufactures; they also pound
soorkey and prepare the whole of the vegetables for cooking. From the 1st April Mrs.
Nowlan was appointed matron on Rs. 25 a month, and on my taking charge I received from my
predecessor, Dr. Duka, a most satisfactory account both of her and her husband, Mr. Nowlan,
the overseer, who was some time in Dullunda asylum for instruction in his duties, and
subsequently at Cuttack, previous to his being sent here. He takes a great interest in his
work, and has done much for the asylum since his arrival, in the way of reform. It is now
conducted on the same scale as the institution at Dullunda.

                                                                            I have the honor to be,
                                                                                        SIR,
                                                                                 Your most obedient servant,

                                                                                         B. SIMPSON, M.D., A.M.,
                                                                                                           Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.

                                                                         No. 2.

                                                    Abstract of the Annual Return.

                                                                                                        P