30
LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BENGAL.
whole of the rains a blanket coat is in use, and we are obliged to issue
dosooti jackets, whereas in a warmer locality eksooti would answer every
purpose." Regarding establishment, Mr. Birch writes—" We have worked
throughout the year with the sanctioned establishment, except that we have
not found it necessary to entertain more than four jemadars (six are sanctioned
for 250 insanes), and thus there has been a monthly saving of Rs. 22."
Female ward.
6. The female ward was opened on the 29th July, 25 women having
arrived from Dullunda Asylum, of whom Mr. Birch says that they are chronic
cases with but little chance of recovery. The sanctioned establishment for the
female ward is as follows : One matron on Rs. 25 per mensem, two keepers at
Rs. 4 and two at Rs. 5 each, and two sweepers at Rs. 5 each.
Mr. Birch says that there is room in the asylum for 10 or 15 more insane
women without increasing the establishment, and he would be glad to get
some more female patients, as the expense per head is at present higher than
it need be. The female ward is a very good one, affording ample space for
40 inmates. In the original place a second female ward was sanctioned, but
has not yet been built.
Hospital
accommodation.
7. Regarding hospital accommodation Mr. Birch has some remarks to
which it seems desirable to call attention: " The only matter in regard to
accommodation with which I am dissatisfied is that of the hospital. The build-
ing is too small for our requirements, and it is in no way separated from the
general body of the asylum, the sick either mingling with the bodily healthy,
or we are obliged to keep them sitting in melancholy file upon the verandah of
the hospital all day long. The latter alternative we are compelled to adopt,
both as much for the sake of discipline and the safe-custody of the sick insanes
as for other obvious reasons. Beyond all doubt the hospital should be separate
from the body of an asylum, and for this reason I often cast covetous eyes upon
the female enclosure, desiring to appropriate it for purposes of a male hospital,
and to convert the vacant site which was reserved for the second ward into a
garden and pleasure-ground for the sick. Thus would be set free the present
hospital, which I would wish to appropriate as an additional workshed which
we require now that our manufactures are extending. But this plan would
necessitate the construction of another female ward. Several months ago I
suggested that a female ward be constructed in the mango-tope near the matron's
house ; and if the money which was originally allotted for the unbuilt ward and
hospital be still available, the suggestion might be deemed worthy of consider-
ation. Undoubtedly I made a mistake when originally designing the asylum in
not placing the female ward in the position now suggested, close to the matron's
residence and altogether outside the male portion of the institution; but if the
error can be rectified in the manner suggested, the additional benefit of having
a proper place for the care of the mental and bodily treatment of those who
are sick would accrue, and this latter is a question which I deem to be of such
importance that it would have arisen separately, I apprehend."
On more than one occasion I have brought to notice the suggestions above
given. I fully concur in the assertion that the situation of the female ward is
ill chosen, and that the proper place for females would be in the mango-tope
outside the gate of the male asylum. I also know from my own observation that
the hospital is not large enough, and I agree that if a new female ward could be
built and the present one given up for the hospital it would be an immense gain.
Diet.
8. The diet has been modified in accordance with experience. The
quantity of rice has been reduced by one chittack, as what was allowed was not
all eaten. The oil has been reduced to 3/8th of a chittack, and the salt increased
1/8th to 3/16th of a chittack. The diet table therefore now stands as follows:—
WEEK DAYS.
Monday
...
...
...
Tuesday
...
...
...
Wednesday ... ... ...
Thursday
...
...
...
Friday ... ... ... ...
Saturday
...
...
...
Sunday
...
...
...
Attah.
Ch.
......
7
......
7
......
7
......
Rice.
Ch.
8½
3½
8½
3½
8½
3½
8½
Mutton.
Ch.
2
......
2
......
2
......
Dall,
chunna.
Ch.
1
......
1
......
1
......
......
Dall,
moongh.
Ch.
......
1
......
1
......
1
......
Dall,
mussoor.
Ch.
1
......
1
......
1
......
1
Dall,
rahur.
Ch.
......
1
......
1
......
1
......
Vegeta-
bles.
Ch.
3
4
3
4
3
4
4
Oil,
mustard.
Ch.
3/8
3/8
3/8
3/8
3/8
3/8 3/8
Salt.
Ch.
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16
3/16 3/16
Mussa-
lahs.
Ch.
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
1/8
Fire-
wood.
Ch.
12
12
12
12
12
12
12