No. 2953-2R—4-14, dated Ranchi, the 21st May 1914.
From.—Lieut,-Col. F. J. DRURY, M. B., I.M.S., Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals,
Bihar and Orissa,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bihar and Orissa, Municipal (Medical) Dept.
I have the honour to forward, for the information of Government, the ac-
companying brief notes together with the prescribed returns submitted by the
Superintendent of the Patna Lunatic Asylum on the working of that institution
during the year 1913. The notes by the Superintendent fully explain the
statistics. I submit the following few further explanatory remarks.
2. Many improvements were effected during the year under report to
make the asylum suitable for the needs of this Province. Besides these other
works are in progress and the administrative approval of Government
has been accorded to others for which detailed plans and estimates are
being prepared. Short mention of these works is made below. The
list is by no means extravagant and only includes urgent requirements, as
it has been decided not to spend on this asylum more than is absolutely
necessary for present needs, in view of the proposed construction of a central
asylum for Indians at Ranchi in the near future. The plans and estimates of
the proposed central asylum will, it is understood, shortly be submitted for the
approval of the Government of India and the work will be undertaken as soon
as sanction is received.
3. The capacity of the Patna Lunatic Asylum was increased last year from
262 to 306 by the construction of a new sleeping ward for 40 non-criminal
male lunatics and of 4 cells for dangerous lunatics. The inevitable overcrowd-
ing which would otherwise have occurred owing to the fact that the maximum
number confined on one night during the last year was 290 against 261 in
1912 was thus avoided. There was, however, some difficulty as regards the ac-
commodation for criminal males. The daily average strength of this class of
lunatics was 100.43 against 90, the capacity of the criminal wards. The over-
crowding did not, however, produce any evil result as the ventilation in the
wards is good. Other important works completed during the last year
were quarters for the Sub-Assistant Surgeon attached to the asylum, the
construction of a cooling tank for drinking water near the boiler, closing of the
openings of the workshed for the lunatics with wire-netted frames, provision of
a new pump for the well and special repairs, besides the annual repairs to the
whole asylum. The doors and windows of the asylum which are antiquated are
also being remodelled and a portion of the compound wall is under reconstruc-
tion. These works are expected to be finished soon. The works to which the
administrative approval of Government has already been accorded, but which
have not yet been taken up, are as follows. The estimated cost of these pro-
jects have been noted against each :—
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A female hospital and warders' quarters
Extension of the warders' quarters
Additions to and alterations, etc., in the existing warders'
quarters.
Quarters for the Matron ...
A female ward with 10 cells and
A'male ward with 40 beds
...
...
...
Rs.
4,330
1,272
2,334
1,026
4,552
4,780
Besides these, the construction of a ward for consumptive males with a
view to segregate them from other lunatics is under construction. The Govern-
ment have been informed of this project. Rough plans and estimates are under
preparation.