2
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE
9. Accommodation—
Madras ...
Waltair ...
Calicut ...
Sanctioned
accommo-
dation.
744
124
280
1,148
Average
daily
population
in 1932.
1,156
123
280
1,559
Maximum
on one day
in 1932.
1,188
132
292
1,612
The highest number of patients accommo-
dated in the Madras Mental Hospital, i.e.,
1,188, was the highest on record against the
available accommodation 744. The tendency
for the population to increase still continues.
The
Superintendent,
Mental
Hospital,
Madras, reports that the redistribution of
patients from Madura, Ramnad, Salem and
Tinnevelly districts to the Mental Hospital,
Calicut, ordered in G.O. No. 488, P.H., dated
3rd March 1932, has not relieved the over-
crowding in the Madras Hospital to any
extent. All civil mental patients from
Coorg who were hitherto sent to the Mental
Hospital, Madras, were ordered to be sent to
the Mental Hospital, Calicut. The Superin-
tendent, Mental Hospital, Calicut, also reports
that the total number of patients admitted
from the districts mentioned above and from
Coorg during the year was not so large as to
adversely affect the working of his institu-
tion.
10. Buildings.—There
was no new con-
struction in the mental hospitals during the
year, with the exception of certain minor
works and repairs.
11. General Hygiene of the Insane.—
Special attention was paid by the staffs of the
mental hospitals to feeding, bathing, clothing
and also to the prevention and early treatment
of pyorrhoea and skin diseases.
12. Drainage.—This is satisfactory in the
mental hospitals at Waltair and Calicut. In
the Madras Mental Hospital, the drainage
scheme which has been merged into the
scheme for the remodelling of the hospital
has been deferred for financial reasons.
13. Water-supply—(a)
Madras.—The
water-supply is from the Red Hills and is
adequate.
(b) Waltair.—Chief source is from the
municipal mains. Minor internal extension
proposed in 1981 has been carried out
during the year. The municipality supplies
only 350 gallons of water per diem free of
cost to the hospital and the excess water
over and above that quantity is charged for.
Owing to this restricted supply the Superin-
tendent states that hydro-therapy is not
freely resorted to at the hospital. The
Government have been addressed for an
increased free supply of water by the munici-
pality to the hospital.
(c) Calicut.—The water required for all
purposes is obtained by the manual labour of
patients and attendants from the deep wells
situated here and there in the compound.
The supply from these wells was not adequate
and especially in summer the use of water had
to be restricted to a great extent which was
a disadvantage to the cleanliness of the
various wards, vegetable plantations and the
garden. The question of water-supply is one
of the most important items to be taken up
urgently. The estimated cost of excavating
two wells with necessary oil-engines, pump
house, storage tank, pipes, etc., and of the
cost of acquiring three acres of land required
for sinking the wells comes to Rs. 43,708. In
G.O. Mis. No. 110, P.H., dated 16th January
1932, the Government informed the Surgeon-
General that they are unable to provide funds
for the acquisition of land required for
extension to the hospital as well as for the
sinking of wells. It is proposed to re-submit
the scheme again to Government as Part II
scheme for 1934-35.
14. Industries
and
Employment—(a)
Madras.—Fifty-one per cent of the patients
were engaged in various occupations during
the year, 19 per cent of whom worked in the
manufacturing department, i.e., the oil mill,
mat-making, weaving and knitting, etc., and
the remaining on unskilled labour.
(b) Waltair and Calicut.—As the major-
ity of the hospital patients is rural, agricul-
ture, cattle-tending, weaving and gardening
are the principal occupations for the males.
15. Amusements—(a) Madras.—The usual
annual sports for the patients were held.
Football, badminton, tennis and base ball
attracted several patients, whilst those not
interested in active sports had in-door games
like table tennis, billiards, cards, chess, etc.,
or were taken out for walks if necessary
accompanied by attendants. The privilege
of allowing a certain number of patients to
attend the Wellington Cinema in the even-
ings was continued through the kind courtesy
of the proprietor of that cinema. The band
of His Excellency the Governor of Madras
played once every month in the hospital as in
previous years. The Red Cross Society made
a generous donation of Rs. 500 towards the
annual treat to the patients. The editors of
the newspapers and journals continued their
supply of their papers free. The Committee
of Lady Visitors to the hospital continued to
carry on their good work among the female
patients.
(b) Waltair.—Patients
took part in
games like football, badminton, etc., and other
amusements like cards and chess. Music was
provided systematically by a gramophone and
also by concerts given by patients with
talent for music. The patients were also
amused occasionally with feats by professional
jugglers and acrobats and they were regularly
sent on excursion trips. The motor bus
was freely utilized for taking patients to
fairs and festivals in surrounding places
and to bi-weekly shows of the local " Sree