5
of diet were issued at Berhampore,
viz., (1) standard diet to healthy
individuals of agricultural, labouring
and mechanical classes; (2) special diet
to Indian Christians and patients per-
forming responsible duties, and (3) infir-
mary diet to patients who were losing
weight, convalescent or permanently or
temporarily infirm. Extra milk, soup,
arrowroot, Mellin's food, Bengers' food,
Nestles' milk, biscuits, eggs, chicken,
rum, etc., were given as " extras " to all
classes of patients at the discretion of the
Superintendent. Formerly there was
much wastage of rice, patients receiving-
daily 11 chitacks per head which was
more than they could consume. The rice
ration was therefore reduced 9 chitacks
daily. Similar economy was observed as
regards other articles of diet. The diet
at Dacca was improved owing to the am-
ple supply of vegetables from the hospital
gardens and the issue of meat and fish on
alternate days.
Amusements and pastimes.—Every
effort was made to make the inmates as
happy and contented as possible. At
Berhampore jatra performances were
held; and sweets, cigarettes, betel, etc.,
were issued to the inmates on festive
days, e. g. Durga Puja, Christmas, etc.
Books, games and musical instruments
were also provided for their amuse-
ments.
In 1922 the late Major
Chuckervutty, acting on the suggestion
of the committee of visitors of the
Berhampore Mental Hospital, opened
a reading room and a club for male and
a work room for female patients. An
amusement fund was also started by
him and this fund is still maintained by
public subscriptions. A committee of
Lady Visitors consisting of five mem-
bers was also appointed at his sugges-
tion to visit the female section of the
Hospital.
Building-—The following works in
connection with Bhowanipore Observa-
tion Wards were carried out during the
last triennium. In 1921 the adminis-
trative block with quarters for the staff,
segregation ward and European female
ward were erected. In 1922 the Indian
male ward (facing south), Indian fe-
male ward and day-shed therein were
completed. In 1923 the European male
ward and bath room, Indian male ward
(facing east), dining hall for Indian
males, bathing platform, Indian kitch-
en, lecture-shed, etc., were constructed
The whole of the building work at Bho-
wanipore was completed by the end of
the year 1923 and the buildings were
occupied by patients in 1924.
General.—Hitherto the Police Sur-
geon of Calcutta was required to certify
persons supposed to be of unsound mind
who were sent from Calcutta to the Bho-
wanipore Mental Observation Ward ; and
the Civil Surgeon, 24-Parganas, to certify
those sent by the Magistrate of the 24-
Parganas, under Section 16 of the Indian
Lunacy Act, VI of 1912. This practice
was found to be anomalous in view of the
fact that while the Superintendent of
Bhowanipore Observation Ward was res-
ponsible for the admission, treatment and
discharge of patients, and the adminis-
tration of the institution, the Police Sur-
geon and the Civil Surgeon, 24-Parganas,
were the certifying officers. As the Bho-
wanipore Mental Observation Ward is
treated as a mental hospital within the
meaning of the Indian Lunacy Act, 1912,
the procedure in vogue at the mental hos-
tals at Berhampore and Dacca has been
adopted at Bhowanipore and the Super-
intendent is now authorised to certify
persons sent to his institution for
observation.
The buildings in connection with the
Indian Mental Hospital at Ranchi will
probably be completed by the end of
April 1925 and are expected to be opened
in July of the same year when it may be
possible to transfer to this hospital all
patients from the Berhampore and Dacca
Mental Hospitals.
Personal.—The following officers held
charge of the respective mental hospitals
during the period under review :—
Mental Observation Ward at Bhowa-
nipore : Major A. H. Proctor, I.M.S.,
from 1st January to 16th March 1921;
Captain W. O. Walker, I.M.S., from
17th to 19th March 1921; Major E. B.
Munro, I.M.S., from 20th March to 5th
December 1921; Major W. L. Harnett,
I.M.S., from 6th December 1921 to 9th
March 1923; Major E. Kirwan, I.M.S.
from 10th March to 7th November 1923,
and Major H. Hingston, I.M.S., for
the remaining period.
Dacca Mental Hospital: Lieut. Col-
onel E.A.R. Newman, C.I.E., I.M.S
from 1st January 1921 to 3rd November
1922 and Lieut.-Colonel M. Mackelvie,
I.M.S., for the remaining period.
Central Mental Hospital, Berham-
pore: Lieut.-Colonel O.St.John Moses,
I.M.S.,
from 1st January to 16th Feb-
ruary 1921; Major D.P.Goil, I.M.S.,
from 17th February to 28th March 1921.