MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
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13. Drainage.—As in the previous years the drainage system in the
mental hospitals at Waltair and Calicut has been satisfactory. As
regards the Mental Hospital, Madras, the drainage scheme has been
merged into the remodelling scheme and stands postponed owing to
financial considerations.
14. Water-supply—(a) Madras.—The water-supply is from Red Hills
and is adequate.
(b) Waltair.—Chief source is from the municipal mains. Some
minor extensions proposed for better distribution of water inside the
hospital for which estimates had been sanctioned have not been carried
out for want of funds.
(c) Calicut.—Water-supply from the wells was only fairly sufficient
for the requirements during the year. There is shortage of water during
the hot weather, and it has to be fetched from a distance. Plans have
been made for remedying this which involve the acquisition of a piece of
land; but this has had to be postponed for lack of funds.
15. Amusements.—The patients in all the three mental hospitals were,
as usual, provided with various kinds of amusements.
Madras.—To promote a greater sense of freedom some selected
patients were allowed to go out daily for walks outside the hospital in the
evenings either by themselves or accompanied by hospital attendants. The
privilege of allowing a certain number of patients to attend the Wellington
Cinema in the evenings has been continued through the kindness of the
proprietor of the cinema. The Red Cross Society continued its supply
of magazines, illustrated papers, books, etc., and also made a generous
donation of Rs. 575 towards the annual treat to the patients. The band
of His Excellency the Governor of Madras, played once every month in
the hospital. Gabriel's Orchestra was again engaged to play here once a
month on a fixed contribution of Rs. 15 per mensem. The editors of the
"Madras Mail", the "Hindu" and the "Federated India" were kind
enough to supply their papers to the hospital free of charge. The
committee of voluntary lady visitors continued their good work among
the female patients in the hospital.
Waltair.—His Highness the Maharaja of Jeypore presented a motor
bus to the hospital. The patients were entertained to a feast by the
Zamindar of Chemudu on 19th December 1931 and by Mr. Baghumal
Sowcar Garu on 22nd September 1931. The editors of the "Hindu " and
the "Trilinga " kindly continued the free supply of their papers.
Calicut.—The proprietors of the Radha Picture Palace extended
their kindness this year also and allowed a dozen patients at a time to
witness their show free of charge on every Saturday. The teaching class
here and the appointment of work mistress also helped a great deal in
improving the mental condition of the inmates. The Red Cross Society
also supplied the hospital with requisites for games and also other useful
articles. The daily issues of the "Hindu " and the " Mathrubhumi", the
weekly " Mitavadi", and the tri-weekly "Champion" were supplied free
of charge through the kindness of the editors concerned.
16. Epidemics.—The mental hospitals at Waltair and Calicut were
entirely free from epidemic diseases during the year. In the Mental
Hospital, Madras, there were a few stray cases of infectious diseases, but
not in epidemic form.
17. Finance.—The total receipts, including those from paying patients
amounted to Rs. 5,60,467-11-8 as against Rs. 5,48,693-14-7 during the
previous year. The variation is due to an increase in several items under
receipts. The charges under establishments, diet, bedding and clothing,
contingencies and miscellaneous items show a decrease as a result of
retrenchment in the pay and other compensatory allowances of the
hospital staff towards the latter part of the year, etc., fall in prices of some
of the dietary articles and the yarn purchased for the manufacture of
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