2
ANNUAL REPORT ON THE WORKING OF THE
6. Criminal insanes.—There were 142 insanes of this type (131 males
and 11 females) at the beginning of the year. During 1927, 52 were
admitted and re-admitted and so the total number of insanes confined
during the year was 194. The daily average strength during the year
was 149.06 against 147.71 in the previous year. The number of " dis-
charges, transfers," etc., was 30, while the number of deaths was 8 during
the year.
7. Deaths.—The number of deaths during the year under report was
80 against 89 in the previous year.
8. Accommodation. —The highest number of patients accommodated
on any one day during the year was 815 in the Mental Hospital, Madras,
97 in the Mental Hospital, Waltair, and 259 in the Mental Hospital,
Calicut. The population in the Mental Hospital, Madras, tends to
increase every year. The accommodation has therefore been found to be
insufficient. More accommodation is also urgently required in the Mental
Hospital, Calicut. This question is engaging attention.
9. Buildings.—The reorganization of the existing mental hospitals
in this Presidency so as to convert them into hospitals for the scientific
treatment of mental disorders is under consideration and some progress
can be recorded.
Madras.—The construction of (1) a new administrative block and
(2) nurses' quarters was completed during the year. The construction of
(1) a new European kitchen and (2) improvements to the four wards in
the isolation camp are nearing completion. Improvements to the dining
room in male hospital and extensions to the day shed in the criminal
enclosure were completed during the year. The Government have
sanctioned the construction of a new enclosure for European female
patients to the north of the present female enclosure on the land acquired
for the extension of the Hospital and also the conversion of the existing
female enclosure into an enclosure for Indian female patients at a cost of
Rs. 2,13,400. Detailed plans have been prepared and the work will be
commenced shortly.
Waltair.—The installation of a pump in the well is pending
execution. Special wards for well-to-do patients and a padded cell for
female epileptics are necessary.
The present buildings are of a very old type and unsuitable for use
as a mental hospital. Plans for remodelling this hospital are under
consideration.
Calicut.—An industrial workshop was completed during the year.
The construction of the undermentioned buildings have been sanc-
tioned by Government: —
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
Wards for paying patients (8 for males and 4 for females
in 6 blocks) with latrines (approximate estimate) ...
18 single rooms for males in two wards (approximate
estimate) ... ... ... ... ...
An open recreation shed (approximate estimate) ...
Quarters for the Sub-Assistant Surgeon ...
RS.
17,600
25,500
4,650
3,325
The construction of a self-contained block for better class of patients,
the separation of acute, chronic, epileptic and recovering cases, the
provision of special baths for hydrotherapy in the male and female
hospitals and the construction of padded cells for violent cases and a
ward for dysentery and tuberculosis patients should be taken up as
funds permit.
The usual annual repairs were carried out.
10. Sanitation.—The sanitation in the three hospitals was satisfac-
tory. The dry earth system of disposing of nightsoil continued to be in
vogue in Calicut and Waltair. In Madras nightsoil is removed by the
Corporation of Madras in their conservancy carts. The Superintendent,