LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
35
windows in the rear, to make them more cheerful and better ventilated; others to have
asphalte floors for filthy or violent patients, an arrangement the utility and convenience of
which cannot be doubted, while the means of treatment according to modern ideas will be
augmented.
Windows and
doors.
Single kutcha
rooms.
18. “ All the windows of the buildings are furnished with shutters. Wards Nos. 4, 5,
6, and 7, are supplied with iron-barred doors in addition to the pannel doors; but none of
the others are so provided, and thus a means of additional ventilation in the hot weather
is lost. The row of single rooms opposite No. 8 ward is of kutcha construction and
is well ventilated, each room having a window of its own facing the north. At present these
rooms are used for various purposes : in one of them are stored the feeding utensils, another
is occupied by a paying patient, in others are located convalescent patients.
Cook-house.
Latrine.
19. “ The cook-house is a common shed divided into compartments, the walls being
carried only half way to the roof. The latrine is a very simple structure, but it represents
that which I believe to be by far the best plan for a privy, viz. a good roof elevated upon
poles 12 feet high, to which matting to the height of five feet is tied. The flooring is of
earth raised to about two feet, and it is kept loosely dug up. Twelve iron boxes, after the
model of those used in the Dullunda Asylum, half filled with dry earth, are placed in this
latrine, and twice a day they are removed on a hand barrow to the garden, where the contents
are deposited in shallow trenches, in accordance with existing orders. In the latrine room
of each of the wards two similar boxes are placed. Of this simple system I can report that
it answers most admirably; such a thing as an offensive odour being unknown when the
mehters do their duty.
Sleeping places.
20. “ The interior of the wards is provided with bed-places composed of hardened mud
neatly leeped, and only nine inches above the level of the floors, which are dug up and daily
rubbed, to preserve the level. Each morning the sweepers and their lunatic assistants enter
the wards immediately upon their being vacated by the patients, and any spot which has
been soiled with urine is removed wholly and replaced with a basket of fresh earth. I can
strongly recommend this plan as being most effective in a sanitary point of view
Isolation ward.
21. “ The isolation ward has only just been commenced, but its construction will not
occupy much time.
Female ward.
22. “ The large ward which has been built for females is of greater vital capacity, as
it has been made two feet higher than No. 1, 2, or 3 male wards, but its superficial area is
the same as one of them.”
Improvements
suggested.
23. Mr. Birch gives the following description of some improvements which have been
suggested in regard to the present buildings, viz.—“It has been proposed by the Deputy
Surgeon-General to utilize the present female ward and enclosure for the separation of the
violent and noisy, and the idiots, for which purpose it would be necessary to subdivide the
compound and the ward. This alteration, which will adapt the asylum to the modern
treatment of insanity much more perfectly, it is earnestly hoped will be speedily carried out.
But to do this additional accommodation must be provided for the reception of females, and
this it is proposed to construct in the mango tope to the west of the main entrance—a position
which is most desirable, as the matron will be close to the female department, whereas now it
will be necessary for her to traverse two sides of the asylum outside to reach the female ward;
besides which we have ready to hand a magnificent shade from old trees, and a plentiful
supply of water. It is also proposed to build a dining-hall on the large space opposite the
cook-house. When these additions and alterations are made, as I trust they will be, I think
we shall have an asylum perfect in all its major details.”
Position of the
asylum.
24. It is also reported that “ an occupant of the asylum is not oppressed with any sense
of confinement. The intrenched aloe-hedge is but little raised above the surrounding
level. The asylum itself stands upon elevated ground, and commands a fine view of the
country for miles around ; while the coolness of the climate (proved to be a most important
point in the treatment of European insanes) enables an amount of outdoor exposure and
exercise unattainable in the plains.” The garden is stated to be an excellent and very exten-
sive one, and already in a very creditable condition through the exertions of the overseer.
Establishment.
25. The following establishment for 250 male insanes was sanctioned in letter No. 1061
of 1876 from the Bengal Government, viz. —
1 Overseer
...
...
...
1 Writer
...
...
...
1 Native Doctor ... ...
1 Compounder ... ...
3 Jemadars on Rs. 10 each...
3
Ditto on „ 12 „ ...
4 Cooks
...
...
...
14 Keepers on Rs. 6 each ...
14 Ditto on „ 5 „ ...
Rs.
100
30 rising to Rs. 40
30
10
30
36
20
84
70
8 Sweepers ... ... ... ...
2 Bhisties
...
...
...
...
2 Barbers
...
...
...
...
3 Dhobies
...
...
...
...
2 Mallies
...
...
...
...
1 Chupprasie
...
...
...
...
Total ...
Rs.
40
10
10
15
10
6
—
500 rising to Rs. 510
—
Mr. Birch states that the general discipline of the asylum is now fairly good, but,
working with raw material in its truest sense (as to keepers) he found it no easy matter to
make it so. He expresses the obligation he is under to Mr. Parry Davis, District Superin-
tendent of Police, who procured jemadars for him (three of whom were police head-constables
of superior character) and arranged a comprehensive system of discipline as to reliefs, &c.
F2