4
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE
play once a month in this hospital. The Government sanctioned the
payment of a contribution of Rs. 15 a month to the Band Fund of the
Madras Guards in consideration of the band playing in the hospital once
a month. The Red Cross Society kindly continued their supply of
magazines, illustrated papers and books, etc. This society also made a
very generous gift of Rs. 380 towards the annual Christmas treat to the
patients. The proprietor of the Wellington Cinema still kindly permits
a dozen patients daily to attend the evening shows free of charge. The
Committee of Voluntary Lady Visitors continued their good work in the
female enclosure of this hospital. The editors of the Madras Mail, the
Hindu, the Federated India and the Trilinga kindly supply their
journals free of cost.
Waltair.—The patients were entertained to a feast by the Zamindar
of Chemudu on 31st December 1929. The daily issues of the Hindu
and the Andhra Patrika, the Illustrated Weekly of Bombay and the
monthly edition of Bharathi are supplied to the hospital gratis by the
respective editors. With a view to keep the patients engaged on remu-
nerative labour, the industry of basket-making was introduced in the
hospital.
Calicut.—The proprietors of the Radha Picture Palace were kind
enough to allow a dozen patients at a time to witness their show every
Saturday free of charge. By the kind permission of the Manager of Pro-
fessor Deval's Circus batches of 24 patients were allowed to witness their
matinee performance for some days during their stay at Calicut. A free
copy of the Hindu daily is supplied to the hospital by the local Red
Cross Society and the editor of the Mitavadi is kindly supplying his
paper free of charge. The thanks of the administration are due to the
ladies and gentlemen who have interested themselves in these hospitals.
14. Epidemics.—There were no epidemics in any of the hospitals,
during the year under report except that there were 12 cases of influenza
in July 1929 in the Mental Hospital, Calicut, which was soon brought
under control by timely precautionary measures.
15. Finance.—The total receipts including those from paying patients
amounted to Rs. 5,12,545-12-11 as against Rs. 4,93,337-14-4 in the previous
year. This variation is due to an increase in the various items under
receipts. There was a fall in the receipts under value of stores received
from manufacturing department less the cost of raw materials, as com-
pared with the previous two years, the figures for the three years being
Rs. 12,170-4-0 in 1929, Rs. 16,128-12-3 in 1928 and Rs. 14,828-3-10 in
1927. The expenditure under establishment proper shows an increase
in all the three mental hospitals. The increase is due to the following
reasons :—
(a) Madras.—(1) Additions to the staff sanctioned during the year.
The appointment of two additional dhobies on Rs. 15 each, per mensem
and the increase of pay of the Brahman cook from Rs. 20 to Rs. 25.
(2) The revision of pay of all male and female toties.
(3) The appointment of a house surgeon on a subsistence allow-
ance of Rs. 50 per mensem.
(b) Waltair.—The creation of the appointment of a civil assistant
surgeon in place of a sub-assistant surgeon and the entertainment of a
staff nurse.
(c) Calicut.—The appointment of a lady sub-assistant surgeon sanc-
tioned for the hospital during the year.
The periodical increments drawn by the various members of the
establishment also contributed for the increase.
Diet.—In spite of the marked increase in population, the expenditure
under diet has not proportionately increased, owing to the fall in the
prices of some of the important articles of diet such as milk, rice and