ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
LAHORE LUNATIC ASYLUM,
FOR THE YEAR 1868.
Lahore, 1st January, 1869.
During the past 12 months the following additions and improvements have
been made to the Asylum buildings and premises :—
Additions and improve-
ments to the Asylum.
1st. The Quarantine wards, male and female, situated outside the entrance gate,
have been completed and are in regular use. The male compart-
ment is capable of accommodating five patients in the general
ward, and is also furnished with three solitary cells for the unruly or dangerous. The
female ward consists of three separate cells. Both male and female compartments are
provided with spacious airing enclosures, and are in all respects well suited for the purpose
they are intended for. Every new admission is placed under observation in the Quarantine
wards for 15 days, previous to being admitted inside the Asylum or in contact with the
old inmates.
2nd. The partition walls enclosing and dividing the female ward from the Crimi-
nal, which were formerly merely constructed of mud, have been replaced by good substan-
tial walls of pucka kutcha masonry of a proper height ; this has effected a great improve-
ment, not only in the increased security afforded, but also to the general appearance of
the Asylum.
3rd. The erection of seven new solitary cells in the vacant square space in the Cri-
minal ward. This portion has been walled off from the rest of the enclosure, and seven
cells have been built in it; they are constructed of solid pucka masonry, and are of the same
plan as those in the Central Jail, each cell having its own airing yard. These cells
possess the great advantage of being completely isolated from the rest of the Criminal
ward, so that a violent or an unruly patient can now be at once separated from the other
patients, and by his cries and gestures is no longer able to excite and disturb others,
which, from the situation and construction of the old solitary cells, could not formerly be
prevented. Proper accommodation and means of perfectly separating noisy or dangerous
lunatics has hitherto been a great want in the Asylum, and is now amply provided for.
The dimensions, cubical space, &c., of these new cells will be found in the table giving
the dimensions, &c., of all the different wards. (Vide table No. 1.)
4th. The servants and attendants belonging to the Asylum formerly occupied
quarters placed along the rear of No. 1 ward, and facing the ornamental flower garden ;
these have now been knocked down, and, with the materials, fresh houses have been built
for their accommodation in the square space on the opposite side, and corresponding to
the one now occupied by the new solitary cells. The entrance to this square is now pro-
vided with an iron gate to prevent the Lunatics having access to these quarters. The
ground lately occupied by the servants' quarters makes a good addition to the flower
garden, and is now being laid down in turf and planted with flowering shrubs, &c.
5th. The cooking rooms have been greatly improved and enlarged in size by
arches being made in the different partition walls, and the ventilation has been made
efficient by skylights and additional windows. The entrance has been changed and is
now situated within the square occupied by the servants' houses, while the interior fittings
up, ovens, kneeding troughs and cooking places have also been improved.
The foundation of the large pucka well in the flower garden having sank, the
whole of the upper masonry has been repaired, and the well has been thoroughly cleaned
out.
6th. In addition to the above, several minor improvements have been effected
from the savings fund. Such as pucka water-courses, improved drainage, pucka masonry
boundaries in hospital and female compounds, purchase of fruit trees, and flowering plants,
&c.