( 4 )
to fatigue the lunatics too much and they were therefore frequently changed. The financial
results of this work cannot well be shown, but it may be put down approximately as follows :—
Trenching
20,000 square feet of waste land to an average depth
@ Rs.
Of 2 feet, per 1,000 cubic feet
...
...
...
Value of land thus reclaimed
...
...
...
2
100
150
8
0
0
0
0
0
There is a large extent of this waste land lying in the immediate vicinity of the ayslum,
the reclamation of which will afford profitable and healthful employment for the lunatics for
some years, and which in course of time might be added to the present rather restricted area
of the asylum grounds, giving greater liberty to the inmates and affording ample scope
for their useful employment in its cultivation.
General remarks.
11. There is little to be said about the general management of the asylum beyond what
has been said in former reports. Restraint is still rare and
only resorted to when the patient becomes dangerous to
himself or others. The restraint consists simply of locking the refractory lunatic up in a
separate cell for some hours or days at most. In one or two cases it has been found impossible
to trust lunatics with the others except when handcuffed, but it has been considered better to do
this and to allow them a fair amount of liberty with the others than to confine them constantly
to their cells. For a long time after I got charge of the asylum I found it next to impossible
to keep some of the sleeping barracks free from smell, although they were carefully leeped
daily in the hot weather, but for the last 18 months, by the simple plan of keeping the floor
of each sleeping barrack covered to the depth of a few inches with dry finely-sifted earth, there
has been no difficulty in keeping them always fresh and free from smell. The cells do not look
so neat and clean perhaps as under the leeping and plastering system, but there can be no
comparison as to their cleanliness and comfort, for the soft earth also prevents the lunatics from
hurting themselves and forms a softer bed than the hard leeped floor upon which their mats
were formerly spread. The raised sleeping berths too in the hospital and large barrack have
had their upper surfaces scooped out to a depth of two or three inches leaving a raised margin
all round. The hollow part thus formed is filled up with dry sifted earth and makes a not
uncomfortable bed for those who from their habits cannot be indulged with a mattress. The
soiled earth is removed every morning and replaced by fresh earth.
Escapes.
12. Six lunatics escaped during the year, of whom 2 were recaptured, 3 came back of
their own accord, and 1 remains at liberty. One of the
escapes took place from men employed in cutting twigs
for basket-making, 1 escaped in the bazár conveying provisions, and 4 escaped by climbing
over the wall at a point where this is facilitated by the position of a latrine. In all these cases
fines were inflicted on the keepers in whose, charge the lunatics were.
Conduct of establishment.
13. Considering the unhealthy character of the year the ayslum establishment has
worked in a commendable way. Every one, from the
Superintendent, downwards, has suffered more or less from
illness, and at times nearly all were ill together. Mr. Cousins, the Overseer, has been often most
seriously ill and still remains much broken down by his attacks. Native Doctor Nathu Lál
died, a great loss to the asylum, for during the few months he was attached to it he showed
himself peculiarly adapted for looking after the welfare of lunatics ; 1 burkandáz also died, and
1 left on account of illness.