MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
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34. Rates and taxes.—The excess expenditure of Rs. 28,021-14-8 during the
years under report over that of the past triennium is accounted for by the high
rate charged by the Madras Corporation for Red Hills water and the increase in
population.
35. Mental Hospital manufacture and products.—The amount paid into the
treasury on account of the articles sold to the public and the value of manu-
factured goods made over to the three institutions for Mental Hospital purposes
was Rs. 14,778-9-4 and Rs. 39,107-3-2, respectively, as against Rs. 19,053-2-10
and Rs. 38,043-9-7 for the previous triennium. The decrease in the cash paid
into the treasury is due to the less outturn of cotton goods and other manufactured
articles in consequence of the discharge from the hospitals of recovered patients
trained in the art of weaving and other handicrafts.
36. General administration.—The late Dr. H. W. Mc'Caully Hayes was in
charge of the Madras Mental Hospital till the 30th January 1923 and Lieut.-Col.
D. G. Rai, I.M.S., from the 31st January 1923 to the 11th July 1923 when he was
transferred as Superintendent of the Royapetta Hospital, Madras. Lieut.-Col.
W. R. J. Scroggie, C.I.E., I.M.S., took charge of the institution from Lieut -Col.
D. G. Rai, I.M.S. I am glad to place on record the good work done by the late
Dr. Mc'Caully Hayes in the Madras Mental Hospital. Lieut.-Col. P. L. O'Neill,
C.I.E., I.M.S., Lieut.-Col. A. Chalmers, I.M.S., and Dr. M. L. Kamath were in
charge of the Calicut Mental Hospital for 1 year 5 months, 11 months and 8
months, respectively, during the years under report. Major W. R. J. Scroggie,
I.M.S., and Lieut.-Col. M. N. Chaudhuri, I.M.S., held charge of the Waltair
Mental Hospital during the present triennium.
37. The appointment of Superintendent of the Mental Hospital, Madras, has
been reserved for a member of the Madras Medical Service, and in order that a
specially trained medical officer may be available to take charge of the appoint-
ment, the Government have deputed Dr. H. S. Hensman, M.R.C.S.,L.R.C.P., L.M.S.,
an officer of the Madras Medical Service, to England for a period of one year for
training in the treatment of mental diseases.
38. Inspections.—During the triennium the Mental Hospitals were visited by
official and non-official visitors. Among the visitors were Her Excellency Lady
Willingdon, the Surgeon-General, the Inspector-General of Prisons, and the
Commissioner of Police, Madras. The service books of all subordinates were
verified and found correct by the Superintendents of the three Mental Hospitals.
39. General remarks.—In spite of the all-round improvements made in recent
years at the Mental Hospitals in the Madras Presidency, there remains yet much
to be done in the direction of treatment and segregation of patients and the
construction of up-to-date buildings before the institutions can be compared to
similar ones in the United Kingdom. Further progress has greatly been retarded
on account of lack of funds. The Superintendents and their staff have worked
with great zeal and efficiency throughout.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
T. H. SYMONS, Major-General, I.M.S.,
Surgeon-General with the Govt. of Madras.
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