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Latrines.
VI. Dry-earth system of conservancy is in use, and the poudrette is all buried in the
regular sized trenches in the garden. The latrines are kept in good
order, but it is very difficult to get the patients to use them.
Employment.
VII. No. 12 Return shows the various employments in which the lunatics have been
engaged. I have had no mechanics or skilled workmen in the
asylum, and the only lucrative work has been the collecting of ice
from the jail ice-pits. It is difficult to estimate actually what the value of their labor was. I
have calculated it low enough, viz., 6 pie per man per diem. This sum will be credited when
the sale of the ice will give the jail power of payment.
The rest of the return needs no comment.
Rupees 58-12-0 have been credited to Government by sale of vegetables, grass and other
asylum produce, the result of lunatic labor.
Diet.
VIII. The diet scale is the same as it was last year. I think that the women should
have more food. I recommended last year that they should have the
same quantity as the males. I understand that in the North-West
Provinces the allowance of flour is 12 chattaks per diem for both males and females; here
it is 10 chattaks for the former and 8 for the latter. This is not enough I fear, and the high
death-rate of the females, contrasted with the very small mortality amongst the males, renders
me very anxious to be allowed to increase the amount of the former's food. The women and
men both complain of not having enough food, but I think, though the men both could and
would eat more if they could get it, the women are only in absolúte want of an increase.
There has been no scurvy.
Cookery.
IX. Cookery is very good, and the food of the best description.
Water.
X. Water is brought from a well close by ; it is both sweet and
clean; it is boiled and filtered before issue.
Clothing.
XI Clothing is good and sufficient. That for the hot weather was given out on the 1st
March; for the cold weather on the 16th October. It is the same as
was detailed last year. It consists of as follows:—In the hot weather
a cotton coat, short drawers and cap, with one blanket and tát mat for sleeping on for males ;
for females, one coat, one pair of long drawers, and one sheet, with one blanket and a tat mat;
in the cold weather one coat of blanket lined with cotton cloth, one pair of drawers,
warm double cloth, one blanket cap lined with cotton cloth, with two blankets, and a tat mat
for males; for females, one coat of blanket lined with cotton cloth, long drawers, sheet, two
blankets and tát mat. Warm thick blanket quilts were sewn for those who would wear no
clothes; it has four thickness and bound with newár: for patients in hospital two blankets
and one quilt.
Management.
XII. Mr. Gilson and his wife have left, having obtained the better-paid appointments
of overseer and matron of the Lunatic Asylum at Agra. On Mr.
Gilson's leaving I had some difficulty in finding a proper and trust-
worthy person to take up his place; two men having come for a short time, one to be discharged
for misconduct, the other left of his own accord. Mr. Cousins, the present overseer, came on
the 13th June with his wife, who acted as matron. They have both given me satisfaction, but
unfortunately Mrs. Cousins has been ill since September last, and unable to continue her
duties. Martha, a Native Christian woman of good character, has been appointed to act for her.
She is careful and attentive, and I am well pleased with her general conduct and management
of her charge.
The treatment of the lunatics is conducted on the same plan as was detailed last year,
with entire absence of mechanical restraint.
None are confined as a rule in the cells for the whole day. Even the worst cases are at
large a greater part of the 24 hours. Two men who are always trying to escape have to be shut
up for two or three hours in the day time, and 16 are shut up separately at night, (a warder being
within hail): of these, 6 are criminals. Amusements of all sorts are provided and toys furnished,