Proceedings of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab in the Home (Medical and Sanitary) Depart-
ment, No. 419, dated 29th April 1909.
READ—
A letter from the Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab, No. 3645 H., dated the 15th
April 1909, submitting the report of the Punjab Lunatic Asylum for the year 1908.
REMARKS.—The present report covers the triennial period 1906—1908.
The daily average of patients which in 1905 was only 477 rose to 604.75 in 1906,
608.13 in 1907 and 627.34 in 1908. This gradual rise in numbers shows that
the popularity of the institution continues to increase. Some overcrowding
has taken place in the male asylum owing to the rise in numbers. It is a matter
for congratulation that the new hospital which can accommodate 150 patients
is practically in a state of readiness. The proposal to utilize the existing
hospital for the accommodation of convalescents is an excellent one. The
opening of the new building should add materially to the physical and mental
welfare of the institution.
2. The Lieutenant-Governor is glad to notice that though the number
of female patients has slightly decreased, instances have not been wanting of
high caste Hindu and Muhammadan won en being placed in the asylum by
their guardians. This is a signal mark of public confidence, and is due, in Sir
Louis Dane's opinion, to the sympathetic management of the female branch by
the Franciscan nuns, of whom Major Ewens speaks so highly.
3. There is apparently a difference of opinion between the Inspector-
General and the Superintendent on the question of the segregation of criminal
insanes. This question was referred to the Government of India in 1906, but
the Government of India did not see their way to establish a special criminal
asylum for the whole of India. Whether any local segregation can be carried
out in the near future may be doubted. A considerable improvement will at any
rate be effected when patients in the convalescent stage have the use of the
present hospital and so are brought less in contact with lunatics of the criminal
type.
4. It is satisfactory to notice that efforts are being made to improve
the amenities of the asylum. His Honour has perused with much interest
Major Ewen's account of the amusements which are provided for the inmates.
A great opportunity for adding to the beauties of the place presents itself in the
laying out of the grounds of the new hospital. This should be done to the
best advantage.
5. The Lieutenant-Governor sympathizes with the Superintendent in
his ability to obtain the services of a good class of attendants. The scale of
wages was raised in 1907, but with the general rise that has taken place this
does not appear to have had much effect. It is doubtful whether the employ-
ment of a European head attendant would do more to raise the level of the
staff than can be done by the Superintendent himself.
6. The cost of working the institution which in 1906 was only
Rs. 79,156-3-8 rose in 1908 to Rs. 1,33,063-1-11. At the same time the
subscriptions from paying patients and the profits from manufactures has de-
creased. His Honour awaits with interest the further report of the cost of
working the asylum promised in paragraph 14 of the Inspector-General's note.
7. Sir Louis Dane wishes to place on record his high appreciation of
Major Ewen's services in connection with the asylum. The good work per-
formed by the other officers mentioned, by the Franciscan nuns, and by the
staff is also deserving of great commendation.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of the report and of the foregoing remarks
be forwarded to the Government of India, Home Department, for information ;
also that the review be published in the Punjab Gazette.
Ordered also that a copy of the foregoing remarks be forwarded to the
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Punjab, for information.
By order of His Honour the Lieutenant-Governor of the Punjab,
H. P. TOLLINTON,
Offg. Secretary to Government, Punjab.
Punjab Government Press, Lahore-4-5-09-187-260-K. C. M.