No. D.—1687 OF 1920.
OFFICE OF THE SURGEON-GENERAL
WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF BOMBAY :
Poona, 29th April 1920.
From
THE HONOURABLE MAJOR-GENERAL W. E. JENNINGS, M.D., K.H.P., I.M.S.,
Surgeon-General with the Government of Bombay ;
To
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
GENERAL DEPARTMENT, BOMBAY.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit, for the information of Government, the Annual Report
on the Asylums for the treatment of Insanes in the Bombay Presidency for the year 1919.
Buildings and repairs.
2. The buildings were kept in good order. The annual repairs were carried out by
the Public Works Department.
3. At the Naupada Asylum a raised foot-path between the Steward's quarters and
his cook room was completed. The work to provide additional accommodation for 25
criminal lunatics by raising the two single-storeyed criminal blocks is under progress.
4. At the Ratnagiri Asylum three blocks of five cells each and one barrack to accom-
modate five insanes were completed during the year in addition to certain minor additions
and alterations such as paving with shahabad stone in certain wards, provision of iron-
barred doors in place of blank doors in certain cells and pipe connection to sweepers'
quarters.
5. At the Central Lunatic Asylum, Yeravda, several additions and alterations to the
building mentioned in the report for the years 1912—1914, which remained uncompleted
owing to the financial situation caused by the war, are now being carried out and when
completed additional accommodation for 44 insanes will be available.
6. At Dharwar the new quarters for two Sub-Assistant Surgeons and additional
quarters for servants were completed during the year. The work of providing additional
accommodation for lunatics was in progress during the year and will be completed
shortly.
Water-Supply.
7. The supply of drinking water has been good and sufficient at all the Asylums.
The work of providing the Naupada Asylum with a pipe supply from the Tansa main
was completed during the year and the connection was available from 1st May 1919.
8. At the Central Lunatic Asylum, Yeravda, the defects with regard to wastage
caused by leakages in pipes and flushes have been brought to the notice of the Public
Works Department and are receiving attention.
9. Estimates for a pipe water supply from the Indus to the Hyderabad Asylum
have been sanctioned.
STATEMENT No. I.
Total population.
10. During the year under review 657 insanes were admitted into the asylums
against 633 in 1918. The re-admissions numbered 7 against 17 in the previous year.
The total population of the asylums rose from 1,992 in 1918 to 2,071 in 1919. The
number shows a steady increase and it is indicative that the public realise the advantages
of these asylums and resort to them more than in the past.
Daily average strength.
11. The daily average strength was 1,438.7 (males 1,106.0 and females 332.7) as
compared with 1,405.4 (males 1,069.5 and females 335.9) in 1918.
Discharges and cures.
12. Of the total number treated 304 were cured against 280 in 1918, 125 insanes
were transferred to the care of friends against 86 in the previous year. Of those trans-
ferred under this head 105 had improved and 20 had not improved while under
treatment.
L 25—1