MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
3
10. Sanitation.—The
sanitary condition of all the three mental
hospitals was satisfactory. As the village adjacent to the Mental
Hospital, Madras, continues to be a source of potential danger,
the Collector of Madras and the Public Works Department have been
requested by the Superintendent to estimate the cost of acquiring the site.
Their replies are awaited.
11. Drainage.—The drainage system continues to be satisfactory in
the Mental Hospitals at Waltair and Calicut. The Government have
since sanctioned the new drainage scheme for the Mental Hospital,
Madras.
12. Water-supply—(a) Madras.—The water-supply is from the Red
Hills Tank and is adequate.
(b) Waltair.—The hospital is provided with municipal water-
supply which is supplemented in times of scarcity from the hospital
well.
(c) Calicut.—Water is obtained for eight months in the year from
three wells fitted with pumps and eight big draw wells and is sufficient
for drinking and bathing purposes. Most of the wells dry up during the
hot weather. The scheme for sinking a tank in the field adjacent to the
mental hospital and thence conveying water by means of pipes to the
hospital premises is pending the receipt of the report of the Industrial
Engineering Department who are carrying on hand-boring operations
with a view to test the quantity and quality of water available here.
13. Amusements.—In addition to field sports and indoor games,
various kinds of amusements were provided for the patients in all the
hospitals.
Madras.—His
Excellency the Governor of Madras and Officer
Commanding, Madras Guards, were kind enough to allow their bands to
play once a month in this hospital. The Red Cross Society besides
supplying magazines, illustrated papers, books and sporting materials
made a very generous gift of Rs. 380 towards the annual Christmas treat
to the patients. The proprietor of the Wellington Cinema continues to
permit a dozen patients of the hospital to attend the evening shows.
The Committee of voluntary lady visitors have helped the female patients
in breaking the monotony of their life by providing needle work and
getting up games, plays and social functions, thus adding to their comfort
and happiness. The Editors of the " Madras Mail ", the " Hindu ", the
"Federated India" and "Trilinga" supply the hospital with their
journals free of cost.
Waltair.—The patients of the hospital were given a feast by the
Raja of Chemudu on 24th December 1928. The daily issue of the
"Hindu" and the Weekly issues of the Vernacular Journal "Telaga
Sanghabi Vardhani " of Rajahmundry are supplied to the hospital gratis
by the respective Editors.
Calicut.—The proprietors of the Radha Picture Palace generously
allow 12 patients of the hospital to witness their show every Saturday
free of charge. The painstaking kindness of the Red Cross Society cannot
be over-estimated.
Special thanks are due to His Excellency the Governor and to all
the ladies and gentlemen who have helped to brighten the lives of those
who are suffering from mental disease. Special recognition is due to the
Rev. C. F. Emery and Rev. Fr. J. Allen of Madras for their share in this
work.
14. Epidemics.—There was an epidemic of influenza during the year
in the Mental Hospital, Madras, and 125 cases occurred, fortunately there
were no deaths from the disease. Owing to prompt precautionary
measures, the epidemics of cholera and smallpox which occurred in the
City were prevented from entering this hospital. There were no
epidemics in the other mental hospitals of this Presidency.