16
LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BENGAL.
Berhampore had a small increase. The profits at Cuttack were more by
Rs. 182-9-10 owing to the sale of a larger quantity of fodder to the local
municipality.
36 Dairy Farms.—Dullunda
had a profit of Rs. 646-13-9, against
Rs 1,092-4-9 in 1895. The decrease was due to the fact that from the latter
half of the year all the milk was used for asylum purposes instead of being
sold to outside customers. Three cows died during the year. At Dacca milk
to the value of Rs. 1,129 8 was supplied for the use of the lunatics, and
Rs. 520-13 was realised by outside sales. The expenditure for the up-keep of the
dairy amounted to Rs. 1,629-0-9, so that there was a small profit. The object in
establishing the dairy farms is not to show profit, but to obtain a plentiful supply
of pure milk for the lunatics, and also to afford them some genial occupation.
This purpose has now been attained both in Dullunda and Dacca. The cow-
shed at Berhampore was constructed in the latter part of the year. Twelve
cows were purchased, and the dairy is reported to be in good working order.
37. Sanitation.—At Dullunda dry earth was placed on the floors of wards
where filthy patients were kept, and the system answered admirably. Night-
soil was carefully trenched and filth receptacles were provided. Precautions
were taken to secure purity in the drinking water, the plates, and cooking uten-
sils, and to ensure regularity in the distribution of the food.
The lunatics
were given regular walking exercise before meals, their food, bedding and
clothing were all improved, and a prophylactic issue of cinchonidine, iron and
sulphuric acid was made during the unhealthy season. The cook-houses, the
cooking range, the godowns, the bathing platforms, the worksheds, the dispen-
sary were all altered for the better, fire alarm parades were instituted, and the
patients were divided into gangs which were specially inspected on different
days of the week, while an atttempt was made to separate the phthisis cases and
keep them in a separate ward.
The Superintendent at Dacca reports that trenching is to be done outside
the asylum instead of inside, as has hitherto been the custom. The dry-earth
system is followed in the male wards and acts satisfactorily.
At Patna water-filtering arrangements have been improved, and more
attention paid to the use of the dry-earth system in the closets. The same
method has been introduced into the sleeping wards.
At Cuttack dry earth is used in some of the cells.
An Alipore boiler was erected and brought into use at the Berhampore
Asylum during the year.
38. Amusements.—All the Superintendents report that amusements of
various kinds were made available for their patients, and were much appre-
ciated by them. Musical entertainments, nautches, juggling and acrobatic
performances were arranged, feasts given, sweetmeats distributed, and musical
instruments as well as pets of different kinds, birds and animals, were allowed to
many individuals. At Calcutta, by the kind permission of Colonel Waterhouse,
those fit to avail themselves of the privilege are allowed to visit the Zoological
Gardens once a week.
39. Inspections.—Surgeon-Colonel
G. C. Ross inspected the Dullunda
and Patna Asylums.
40. The judicious employment of lunatics received continued attention,—
manufactures requiring hard labour were given up, and lighter tasks were
substituted.
41. The general question of labour in asylums was specially reported
on regarding which orders are to be issued when the scheme for a Central
Asylum is carried out.
42. Increased care has been paid to the dieting and clothing of the
patients, and prophylactic medicines were given to the inmates of all the
asylums during the unhealthy seasons.
43. The following medical officers held charge of the asylums during the
year:—
Dullunda.—Surgeon-Captain
H. W. Pilgrim from 1st January to 13th
April and again from the 12th to 17th November; Surgeon-
Captain D. M. Moir from 14th April to 11th November and
again from the 18th November to the close of the year.