2
4. The period under report has been characterised by the poor health of
the inmates of both Asylums. Nagpur has a much higher daily average of sick
and a heavier death-rate than Jubbulpore. The bad health of the patients is
ascribed to the effects of the famine of 1900, and to the prevalence of influenza
in 1901. The diet at the Nagpur Asylum differs from that given at Jubbulpore,
where the staple food is wheat only, but this is the natural consequence of the
difference in the customary food of the people in the various parts of the Prov-
ince from which the patients come. The question of diet was gone into by the
Administrative Medical Officer, who has made some alteration in the allowance
of oil and condiments allowed to the Nagpur patients. An explanation is given
in paragraph 16 of the Report of the apparently small sum spent on clothing and
bedding. There is no reason to think that the ill-health of the patients at
Nagpur was due to defect in these particulars. The Officiating Chief Commis-
sioner found, on a visit to the Asylum, that the hospital accommodation is very
inadequate, and steps will be at once taken to provide a suitable hospital.
5. The remarks made by the Administrative Medical Officer on the defective
character of the information supplied in regard to the history of lunatics sug-
gest the need for greater effort in this direction. It is not desirable to delay
cases while inquiries as to previous history are being made, but the making of
such inquiries should not be neglected. If particulars are not available at the
time when papers are sent in, they may when received be communicated to the
Asylum authorities in a supplementary report. The fullest possible information
as to previous history is wanted so as to enable the Superintendent and visitors
to form an accurate opinion as to the expediency of discharge. Omission to
supply such information when available may have the effect of facilitating the
premature release of dangerous patients who would otherwise be kept longer
under observation.
6. The Officiating Chief Commissioner agrees that the pay of the warders
is insufficient. The work involves considerable responsibility, and it is vain to
expect to get the services of men of the proper type on a rate of pay (Rs. 6 a
month) considerably below what has to be paid to menial servants in Nagpur
and Jubbulpore. The Officiating Chief Commissioner will give favourable
consideration to proposals for the improvement of the pay and the grading of
the warders.
7. The report shows that due provision is made for the employment and
amusement of patients. Rewards are given to hardworking and well-behaved
lunatics in accordance with the orders of the Government of India; and the adoption
of this system is said to have been attended with good results. The Nagpur
Asylum maintains a Dairy Farm from which a net cash profit of over five and a
half thousand rupees was derived during the period under report.
8. The management of the Asylums appears to have been satisfactory
and the supervision of the Administrative Medical Officer careful and thorough.
The thanks of the Administration are tendered to the latter and to the officers
named in the concluding paragraph of the report.
ORDER.—Ordered, that a copy of this Resolution be submitted to the
Government of India in the Home Department, and that a copy be forwarded to
the Administrative Medical Officer, Central Provinces, for information and
guidance; also that it be published in the Supplement to the Central Provinces
Gazette.
[True Extract.]
H. M. LAURIE,
Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner,
Central Provinces.
Secretariat Press, Nagpur:—T. P. R., 1-5-1903—200.