MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY
3
Mental Hospital, Madras, urges once again the question of acquiring the
congested and spreading village outside the south-eastern wall of the
hospital which constitutes a danger to the inmates during seasons of
epidemics. This will form the subject of a separate communication.
11. Drainage.—The drainage system is satisfactory in the Calicut and
Waltair Mental Hospitals. The drainage system in the Mental Hospital,
Madras, is out of date. Government have in their order Mis. No. 1320 W.,
dated 26th August 1925, approved the proposed investigation of a partial
drainage scheme, but no further progress has been made. The matter is
still in the investigation stage, due apparently to the Sanitary Engineer
having insufficient staff.
12. Water-supply—(a) Madras.—The water-supply is from the Red
Hills and is adequately distributed.
(b) Waltair.—The hospital receives the municipal supply and
supplements this when necessary from the hospital well.
(c) Calicut.—Water is obtained for eight months in the year from
deep draw wells and is sufficient for drinking and bathing purposes.
Most of the wells dry up during the hot weather. A scheme for improv-
ing the water-supply by sinking one or two extra wells and for instituting
a pipe distribution is pending with the Public Works Department. The
Government will be separately addressed in this matter if necessary.
13. Amusements.—Various kinds of amusements were provided for the
patients in all the hospitals. The Red Cross Society besides supplying
magazines, illustrated papers, books and sporting materials made a very
generous gift of Rs. 388 towards the annual Christmas treat to the patients
of the Mental Hospital, Madras. The late Sri Sitabai, Rani Saheba of
Wadhwan, Vizagapatam, gave a sumptuous treat to the inmates of the
Mental Hospital, Waltair, on 12th December 1927. The Committee
of Voluntary Lady Visitors continued their good work in the female
enclosure of the Mental Hospital, Madras
They have helped the
administration considerably in keeping the patients happy and contented.
The thanks of the administration are due to the ladies and gentlemen
who have interested themselves in these hospitals.
14. Epidemics.—There was no outbreak during the year in any of the
hospitals. There was an outbreak of cholera in the Madras City but no
cases occurred in the Mental Hospital, Madras.
15. Finance.— The total receipts including those from paying patients
amounted to Rs. 4,69,301-0-9 as against Rs. 4,01,540—4—1 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 Depart-
ment less the cost of raw materials was Rs. 14,828-3-10 as against
Rs. 12,031—14—5 in the previous year. The expenditure under establish-
ment proper shows an increase in all the three hospitals as compared
with the previous year. The increase in the Mental Hospital, Madras, is
due to (1) the periodical increments drawn by the various members of the
staff including the Superintendent, (2) the higher rate of pay drawn by
the English-trained matron, (3) the posting of a Civil Assistant Surgeon
who drew a higher rate of pay than his predecessor, (4) the higher rates
of ration allowance and the addition of dhoby allowances sanctioned to
the nursing staff. The increase in expenditure under diet of patients is
due to the increase in the population of the hospitals and higher tender
rates for some of the important articles of diet in the Mental Hospitals,
Madras and Calicut.
16. General administration.—Dr. H. S. Hensman, L.M.S., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.,
M.P.C., was the Superintendent, Mental Hospital, Madras, throughout the
year. Lt.-Col. A. P. G. Lorimer, I.M.S., was in charge of the Mental
Hospital, Calicut, till 24th September 1927 and Major W. C. Paton, I.M.S.,
for the rest of the year. The Mental Hospital, Waltair, was in charge of