MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
10. Sanitation.—The sanitation in all the three mental hospitals
was, as far as possible, satisfactory. Dry earth system of disposing of
night-soil continued to be in vogue in Calicut and Waltair, while in
Madras night-soil is removed by the Corporation of Madras in their own
conservancy carts which system, the Superintendent states, is working
more satisfactorily. The Superintendent, Mental Hospital, Madras, has
once again raised the question of Government acquiring the congested
and growing village just outside the south-eastern wall of the hospital
which, he says, is not only an eyesore but also a danger to the health of
the inmates of the hospital. This question has been considered by Gov-
ernment and has been held in abeyance for the present as being not
very urgent.
11. General hygiene of mental patients.—Personal cleanliness of the
insanes and the sanitation of the buildings and the surroundings were
carefully and satisfactorily supervised and carried out in all the three
mental hospitals, special attention being paid to the prevention and cure
of pyorrhoea alveoloris and skin diseases.
12. Drainage.—The drainage system has been quite satisfactory in
the Waltair and Calicut hospitals. As regards the drainage scheme
in the Mental Hospital, Madras, it is reported that, although the Govern-
ment have in their order No. Mis. 1320, P,W.D., dated 26th August 1925,
approved the proposed investigation of the partial drainage scheme at
a cost of Rs. 500, no further progress has yet been made. The Sanitary
Engineer to Government has not been able to commence the work.
13. Water-supply—(a) Madras.—The water-supply is from the Red
Hills and is adequate, new pipes with a larger calibre having been laid
down ; only the mains have yet to be renewed.
(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 being obtained from deep draw-wells, but is
not quite adequate. The Superintendent reports that a scheme for
improving the water-supply by sinking one or two wells in the adjacent
fields belonging to the hospital and pumping water by means of pumps
to a reservoir to be constructed in the hospital premises has been, at the
instance of the Superintendent, formulated by Executive Engineer, and
plans and estimates are under preparation. The Government will be
addressed separately on this matter, if necessary.
14. Amusements.—Various kinds of amusements were provided for
the patients in all the hospitals. The Central Christmas Charity Com-
mittee made a generous gift of Rs. 378 towards the annual Christmas
treat to the patients of the Mental Hospital, Madras. H.H. Sree Seethabai
the Rani Saheba of Wadhwan, Vizagapatam, gave a sumptuous treat to
the insanes of the Mental Hospital, Waltair, on 31st December 1926. The
committee of voluntary lady visitors continued to carry on their good
work at the Mental Hospital, Madras.
15. Epidemics.—There was no outbreak of any kind during the year
in any hospital except a single case of chicken-pox in the Mental
Hospital, Madras, which was immediately segregated. This prevented
the spread of the disease.
16. Finance.—The
total receipts including those from paying
patients amounted to Rs. 4,01,540-4-1 as against Rs. 3,87,681-15-6 in the
previous year. This increase was due to an increase in the various items
under receipt. The value of stores received from the manufacturing
department, less the cost of raw materials, was Rs. 12,031-14-5. The
expenditure under establishment proper shows an increase in all the
three hospitals as compared with the previous year and the increase was
due to the periodical increments drawn by various members of the