5
He is making a speciality of mental diseases under the tuition of Major
Berkeley Hill and he will be an experienced officer by the time the Indian Asylum
is opened. It is therefore advisable to keep him at the Ranchi Asylum in
order to enable him to undergo a thorough training in this special work. I
should also like to say a few words regarding the work of Mr. J. H. C. Peters
who succeeded Dr. Jyotirmay Ray, as Deputy Superintendent. His work has
been excellent and he is most reliable in all he does, taking a great interest
in his duties. The subordinate staff at both the asylums are also reported
to have performed their duties satisfactorily except in the case of European
attendants at Ranchi who were not up to expectation. The number
and pay of the staff at Ranchi European Lunatic Asylum are reported to be
insufficient. The year under review witnessed constant changes in the person-
nel of European attendants and one post of European attendant was vacant
throughout the year. The time has come for a thorough revision of the
establishment of this asylum. The question of revision of the establishment
is under consideration.
Six additional malekeepers were appoined at the Patna Lunatic Asylum.
A Mistry was not employed in this asylum during the year. It is reported that
it is impossible to retain either a blacksmith or a carpenter on the sanctioned
pay of Rs. 12 and Rs. 16 respectively.
GENERAL.
Employment of lunatics.—The male patients at Ranchi were as much
as possible employed in assisting the staff in distribution of food and feeding
their fellow inmates, in supervising the work of cooks and in some cases in
helping attendants whenever necessary. A few were useful in the garden.
The system of giving rewards to those who behaved and worked well has been
continued and is much appreciated by the patients. A shop is being organized
in the asylum where purchases can be made by patients. The lunatics at
Patna were employed in cooking, gardening, roadmaking, soorki pounding and
grinding Atta, Dal, Mustard, seed, etc. Some were employed as masons, carpenters
and blacksmiths. The system of rewarding the hard-working and wellbehaved
lunatics by small stipends continued during the year.
Amusements.—During the year under report Rs. 587 were spent at the
Ranchi Asylum under this head and Government have recently sanctioned
Rs. 4,000 for the purchase of equipment for the recreation room of this
Asylum, which is very necessary.
Pending the purchase of a motor lorry arrangments have been mode for
the outings of patients of the Ranchi Asylum in a hired omnibus twice every
week. Parole is granted to the patients which they appreciate very much.
At the Patna Lunatic Asylum amusements were provided at a cost of Rs. 75.
The literate lunatics were provided with books and newspapers and those who
liked music were provided with musical instruments. All possible care was
taken to keep the inmates cheerful.
Sanitation.—Due attention was paid to the sanitation of the Asylum at
Patna. The sanitary arrangements at the Ranchi Asylum have been found to be
somewhat defective and action is being taken to remove the defects.
Inspection.—The official and non-official visitors at both the Asylums held
their meetings regularly. The Ranchi Asylum was visited once by the
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bihar and Orissa, and the Director General
of Indian Medical Service. His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor and the
Hon'ble Member in charge of the Medical Department also visited this Asylum.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
H.AUSTEN SMITH. C.I.E.,
M.B., B.C., I. M.S.,
Offg. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals,
Bihar and Orissa.