3
One post of a Civil Assistant Surgeon has been added to the cadre of the
medical staff of this institution, and the incumbent is now undergoing a course of
training in Serology with special reference to the Wassermann test at the
Calcutta Medical College.
I should like to call attention to the fine work which Major O. A. R.
Berkeley-Hill has performed at the Ranchi European Lunatic Asylum. He is
one of the most experienced alienists in India and he uses his experience and
sympathy for the great benefit of the patients in the Asylum. He has the wel-
fare of his patients at heart. It is a pleasure to see him at work in the Asylum
and his general keenness will be for the great benefit of the institution. I should
also like to call attention to the excellent work of Mr. J. H. C. Peters, the
Deputy Superintendent, who has been of the greatest assistance to Major
Berkeley-Hill in the work of the Asylum. Doctor Jyotirmay Ray has also been
a great assistance by his energy and keenness. He is now in Calcutta under-
going an important course in Serology, as the correct performance of the Wasser-
mann test is so important with regard to treatment and diognosis.
During the triennium under review, the work done by the Subordinate
Staff (European) was with a few exceptions, not altogether satisfactory owing
to constant changes of personnel among them, and their replacement by others
who wore new to the work. The Indian Staff on the whole, worked satisfac-
torily although they have to be recruited from classes who were until quite
recently aboriginal tribes.
9. Manufacture.—There was no Manufactory Department in this Asylum
during the triennium under review but the subject of occupational therapy has
been given very serious attention throughout 1920.
10. General.—The clothing and bedding grant for each patient in this
Asylum has been fixed at Rs. 200 per annum and a scale of articles to be
supplied to them has also been sanctioned. Necessary articles of clothing and
bedding have been purchased and a nucleus stock maintained. Suits of
furniture have been purchased for the first and second class paying patients,
and an attempt has been made to furnish suitably some rooms in the hospital.
The diet given to the inmates of this Asylum during the triennium under
notice was varied and adequate. In 1920, arrangement was made to give
special diet to the paying patients. The sanctioned cost of diet per diem for
each inmate has been raised from annas twelve to Re. 1-6-0.
Amusements.—Amusements both in-door and out-door have been thoroughly
developed in this Asylum, During 1920 in which Government sanctioned a
grant of Rs. 4,000 for the purpose, a sum of Rs. 1,943-2-9 was spent under
this head as compared with Rs. 587 in 1919 and Rs. 300 in 1918. Both the male
and female recreation rooms have been suitably equipped and decorated with
pictures obtained from England. Arrangement has been made to give the
patients an outing and social gatherings are held twice weekly. Various out-
door and in-door games have been introduced.
Employment of Lunatics.—In 1918 and 1919 the male patients were em-
ployed in assisting the staff, in the distribution of food, feeding their fellow in-
mates and in other similar light work. A few of them were useful in the
garden. In 1920 they were employed in making cane and wire baskets, prepar.
ing bed-chicks, in weaving and making bed curtains. The female patients were
employed on needle work, knitting, crochet work, etc. Those who would
not do any kind of manual work were amused. A good deal of the product
of the work was sold and the amount realized viz., Rs. 363 credited to
Government. The system of rewarding those who worked well continued
during 1918 and 1919 and was much appreciated by the patients. In 192C
this system was discontinued and a shop was started in the Asylum where
the patients can make purchases on the production of work cards, showing
the nature and amount of work done by them every day. This method of
rewarding was much appreciated by the patients and has resulted in enthu-
siasm to take up some occupation.