STATISTICAL RETURNS OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS
3
of the inmates competed at the Park Fair sports and won Rs. 75 in prizes. His
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales' visit to Madras was made the occasion of a
special treat to the inmates provided by the Prince of Wales' Reception Committee,
Madras. In the Asylum at Calicut the Music class and the class for training the
patients in the three R's are still continued with beneficial results. A drama
"Benefits of the British Rule in India" composed by M.R.Ry. Rao Sahib
A. Gopalan, Deputy Superintendent, was staged by some of the keepers and insanes
to the great amusement of all. The insanes of the Lunatic Asylum, Waltair, were
given a treat by Her Highness Rani Sahiba of Wadhwan on 22nd November 1922.
12. Epidemics.—There was no serious outbreak of epidemic at any of the Asylums.
In the Madras Asylum, one case of smallpox and five cases of chickenpox occurred.
Prompt measures were taken to successfully check the spread of infection, and
fortunately there were no deaths.
13. Finance.—The receipts from paying patients amounted to Rs. 34,329-12-9 as
compared with Rs. 31,726-1-9 in 1921. There was a slight fall in the value of stores
received from the Manufacturing department, less cost of raw materials, viz., Rupees
11,522-0-11 as against Rs. 12,176-0-5 in the previous year, while the total receipts
of the three Asylums amounted to Rs. 4,44,585-9-11 as against Rs. 4,38,223-10-1
in 1921. The increase in expenditure under "Establishment proper" is chiefly
due to (1) the inclusion of pay of toties in the " Establishment charges " throughout
the year, (2) revision of the scales of pay of the miscellaneous appointments and
appointment of an additional European attendant (G.Os. No. 357-P.H., dated 6th
March 1922, and No. 1551-P.H., dated 17th November 1921). The increase under
"Superintendence " is due to enhanced salary received by the Superintendent of the
Lunatic Asylum, Madras, throughout the year.
14. General facilities for religious observances.—In the Madras Asylum, the Rev.
C. H. Browne, M.A., and the Rev. Peachy performed all the services of the clergy
throughout the year for the patients belonging to the Church of England. The
Roman Catholic Priest in Perambur also visited the inmates of that religious persu-
asion and performed all necessary services.
The service books were verified and found correct. The inventory of stores
was carried out periodically and the stock was efficiently maintained.
15. Visitors.—The official and non-official visitors inspected the various Asylums
and submitted their proceedings regularly.
(a) Calicut—The Inspector-General of Prisons visited the Asylum during
the year.
(b) Waltair.—This Asylum was visited by Their Excellencies Lord and
Lady Willingdon, the Hon'ble the Raja of Panagal and by the Surgeon-General
with the Government of Madras.
(c) Madras.—This was visited by Her Excellency Lady Willingdon, the
Hon'ble the Raja of Panagal and the Surgeon-General.
The general management of the Asylums was satisfactory. As this is the last
report I shall make on the Lunatic asylums of this Presidency, I take the opportu-
nity of thanking the Superintendents and staff of all the Asylums for the whole-
hearted way in which they have carried out their duties under trying circumstances.
I also wish to place on record that the time has come for the Lunatic Asylums
to be reorganized as well-equipped hospitals for the treatment of mental diseases
on modern lines and not as asylums as at present. The first requisite for this is
undoubtedly officers trained in England in the modern methods of treating mental
diseases.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
T. H. SYMONS,
for Major-Genl. G. G. GIFFARD, I.M.S.,
Surgeon-General with the Govt. of Madras.