APPENDIX.
55
Some of the certificates are not correct.
Men are described as in good health, who have
proved on arrival to be much diseased. In
several cases men were described as being in
good health when they were really suffering
from advanced phthisis. These facts indicate
a want of knowledge of insanity in some cases,
and the value of giving training in the subject
to a larger number of men than at present.
The abolition of small asylums from this point
of view would appear to be of questionable
advantage.
The female enclosure is large. It was clean.
The buildings are sufficient, but a new drain
is required for one of them. The main drain
should not end in the tank, but be diverted
into the public drains.
The cubic contents and the superficial area
should be printed up in each ward.
The asylum is well managed, but more pay
is required for the staff. The warders receive
less than the men of the same class in the jail,
whereas the work is more distasteful; a better
class of men is really necessary.
I was glad to see that dhais were employed,
and not mehtranis, in the female section.
T. H. HENDLEY, SURGN.-COL.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Bengal.
The 26th July 1898.
REPORT BY SUPERINTENDENT.
The health certificates still have much to
be desired and often bear evidence of care-
less and superficial examination.
*An estimate was submitted several months
ago for sanction for improving the drainage
of the female enclosure, but no reply has yet
been received. Whatever happens,
the
drainage should not be allowed as at present
to pollute the tank.
The capacity of each building has been
affixed.
Sanction has been received for regrading
the keepers and for some improvement in
their pay, which will take effect from 1st
April next.
* The Chief Engineer has been informed that the work should be taken in hand at once.
COPY OF REMARKS MADE BY COLONEL T. H. HENDLEY, C.I.E., I.M.S.,
INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF CIVIL
HOSPITALS, BENGAL, ON THE
PATNA LUNATIC ASYLUM, ON THE 24TH NOVEMBER 1898.
I INSPECTED the Patna Lunatic Asylum
with Major Whitwell on the morning of
24th November 1898.
The grounds are far too small, the buildings
are old, and nothing short of demolition
is required. Everywhere in them there was a
foul smell, which was most offensive. This
was in spite of the use of disinfectants and
free use of water. I am inclined to think
that less water should be used.
The usual repairs were begun yesterday.
I recommended that the walls and floors
should be scraped and soil dug up and removed
where any exists, and that fresh soil should be
brought in from outside the Asylum. Tar,
lime-washing, &c., might be employed to make
a fresh start. The worksheds in the male side
have a close smell. The floors should be dug
up and renewed. I fear great change for the
better is impossible, because the sheds are built
against the walls. The criminal wards are
the worst.
The padded cell is useless, as the canvas
with which it is lined would become foul
almost immediately if it were used, which,
I understand, is not the case.
REPORT BY SUPERINTENDENT.
The whole plan of the Asylum is wrong,
Arrangements ought originally to have
been made for the enclosure of large areas
of space to which the patients could be
removed by day, leaving the buildings to
which they return at night sweet and fresh
for occupation. As it is, the lunatics have to
be kept in the same sheds and the same
recreation ground as have existed since the
creation of the asylum. The result is that
the whole place is sodden—wards, grounds
and cells alike. If the plan of a central
lunatic asylum falls through, a new asylum
should be constructed locally, as these
buildings cannot be inhabited much longer
This is being done.
The whole of the cells are burnished as
soon as they show signs of dirt.
This will be done.
The floors in the female wards have
already been dug up and renewed.