4
the Public Works Department charges, was Rs. 133-2-8 a year against
Rs. 127-6-6 in 1917. As the asylum at Ranchi was open for about eight
months only, it is not possible to give a similar figure for this asylum.
The manufacturing department at Patna was worked with a profit of
Rs. 3,996 as compared with Rs. 2,177 in 1917. There is as yet no such depart-
ment at the Ranchi Asylum but it is hoped something will be done in this
direction in the near future.
STATEMENT IX.
Staff.—This statement shows the details of the staff employed for the manage-
ment of the two asylums. Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Sunder, M. B., I.M.S.,
continued to be in charge of the Patna Asylum throughout the year except for
a short period from the 16th September to the 20th October 1918 when it was
held by first grade Assistant Surgeon Sanat Kumar Barat. The new asylum at
Ranchi was from the beginning placed in charge of Major A.S.M. Peebles,
M. D., I.M.S., who held the Superintendentship of this asylum till the 21st
July 1918 when he reverted to the military duty and was succeeded by Captain
W. L. Forsyth, M. B., I.M.S., who remained in its charge till the close of the
year. Credit is due to all these officers for the able manner in which they have
carried out their duties and for the care and attention they have devoted to the
welfare of the inmates. The subordinate staff are also reported to have per-
formed their duties satisfactorily except in the case of the male European
attendants who were not found up to the mark. Suitable attendants of this
class can only be obtained by offering a better scale of pay. The general
management of the asylums was on the whole satisfactory. The work was
sometimes during the year carried out under considerable difficulties owing to
the difficulty of obtaining and keeping suitable warders, especially European
attendants and sweepers. Owing to the increase in the cost of living, sweepers
were not easily obtainable on the sanctioned rate of pay which had, therefore,
to be increased in the case of the Ranchi Asylum.
GENERAL.
Employment of Lunatics.—At Ranchi patients were employed, wherever
possible, in assisting the staff and the work was voluntary. Monetary and other
suitable awards were given to encourage them. Their energies are directed
towards keeping their own rooms, beds and furniture in order and assisting in
the distribution of food and feeding their fellow patients where necessary. A
few have been useful in supervising the work of coolies, dhobies, tailors and
lampmen. At Patna the lunatics were, as usual, employed in cooking,
gardening, roadmaking, surkhi pounding and grinding atta, dal, oil, etc., and
also as masons, carpenters, and blacksmiths. The system of rewarding hard-
working and well-behaved lunatics continued during the year.
Amusements.—Amusements are really more necessary for the insane than
for the sane and come under the category of diversion and treatment. Tennis,
badminton and football have been played and requisites for some other games
have been purchased for the Ranchi Asylum. The literate lunatics at both
the asylums are provided with suitable books and newspapers.
Inspections.—Both the official and non-official visitors visited the asylums
from time to time. His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of Bihar and Orissa
also visited the Ranchi Asylum in June 1918. Both the asylums were visited
by me during the year under review.
I have the honour to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
G. J. H. BELL, C.I.E., M.B., Col, I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals,
Bihar and Orissa.