MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
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14. 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 evening walks outside the
hospital either by themselves or accompanied by attendants. The privi
lege of allowing a certain number of the patients to attend the Wellington
Cinema in the evenings has been continued through the kind courtesy of
the proprietor and is much appreciated. The Red Cross Society kindly
continued their supply of magazines, illustrated papers and books, etc.
This society also made a very generous donation of Rs. 535 towards the
annual treat to the patients. The editors of the Madras Mail the
Hindu and two other vernacular journals continued the free supply of
their papers to this hospital. The band of His Excellency the Governor
of Madras very kindly played once a month in the hospital as in pre
vious years. The band of the Madras Guards, which was hitherto playing
once a month in the hospital, was disbanded and a private orchestra was
engaged to play once a month on payment of a fixed monthly contri
bution of Rs. 15 from October 1930. The committee of voluntary lady
visitors continued their good work in the female enclosure of this hospital.
Waltair.—The patients were entertained to a feast by the Zamindar
of Chemudu on 21st December 1930. A new gramophone with plates was
presented to the hospital by the Indian Red Cross Society, Madras, and
spinning wheels and other accessories by M.R.Ry. Sree Vikrama Deo
Varma Garu for the occupation of female patients. The editors of
the Hindu, the Āndhra Patrika, Illustrated Weekly, Bombay, the Trilinga
kindly continued the free supply of their papers to this hospital.
Bi-weekly bhajana (concert of worship) with Indian drum and cymbals,
was also arranged for, for the entertainment of the patients.
Calicut.—Through the kindness of the proprietors of the Radha Pic
ture Palace a dozen patients were allowed to witness their show free of
charge every Saturday as in the previous year. The teaching class here
also goes a great way in improving the mental condition of the inmates.
The Red Cross Society has kindly supplied the hospital with requisites
for games and also other useful articles. The daily issues of the Hindu
and the Mitavadi are supplied to this hospital gratis by the editors
of the respective papers. The thanks of the administration are due
to the ladies and gentlemen who have interested themselves in these
hospitals.
15. Epidemics.—During the year there were 14 cases of chicken pox
and 119 cases of influenza in the Mental Hospital, Madras, and 57 cases of
influenza in the Mental Hospital, Calicut. There were, however, no
deaths and the epidemics were soon brought under control. The Mental
Hospital, Waltair, was entirely free from epidemic diseases during the
year.
16. Finance.—The total receipts, including those from paying patients,
amounted to Rs. 5,48,693-14-7 as against Rs. 5,12,545-12-11 during the
previous year. The variation is due to increases in several items under
receipts. There was a remarkable decrease in the book receipts as com
pared with the previous two years, the figures for the three years being
Rs. 52,359-10-8 in 1930, Rs. 66,810-12-8 in 1929 and Rs. 61,613-13-7 in
1928. The charges under establishment diet, bazaar medicines, contingen
cies and miscellaneous items show an increase over those for the pre
vious year. The increase in the expenditure under establishment proper
is due to the periodical increments drawn by the various members of the
staff and to the employment of the following additional establishment:—
Madras.—(1) Two paid house surgeons from March 1930.
(2) Twelve temporary additional attendants and four temporary
additional totis till the end of March 1930 and 30 permanent additional
attendants and nine additional totis from 1st April 1930.
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