6
DULLUNDA ASYLUM.
these insanes were not sufficiently well nourished, and advised an improvement in the
nutritive value of the diet. This has been done, and, as the superintendent informs us, the
more healthy inmates of the asylum have gained in flesh and general appearance.
Of course more time is required to benefit those who were previously in an anæmic or
cachectic state, and it may be that many of these poor people will require additional care and
special advantages before they are considered to be in a good state of physical health; but
I am clearly of opinion that overcrowding has had little to say to the general ill health
which has been commented on, and I feel equally certain that the best way of improving the
general health of the insanes is to feed them liberally and well. More space is required in
the asylum wards, but space alone will not, I think, have the effect of lowering the death-rate
unless we avail ourselves of the aid which we know we can rely on in an improved dietary.
Overcrowding usually induces disease of a different type from that which has been observable
at Dullunda of late years.
A good deal of work is performed by the insanes at Dullunda, and every author of a
work on hygiene admits that men must be fed in proportion to the amount of work which
they are called upon to do. At Dullunda the evil effects of overcrowding are in a measure
obviated by allowing many of the insanes to sleep in the verandahs, and in the daytime they
are occupied in the work-sheds, or the open air in fine weather. The general conduct of the
asylum has been excellent.
G. SAUNDERS,
Deputy Inspector- General.
THE annual inspection report by the Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals is as
follows:—
Dullunda.—I AM so frequently a visitor at this asylum, and on these occasions so regu-
larly record my opinion regarding the state of the institution and the condition of its inmates,
that it is scarcely necessary for me to do more than state that the general management is
excellent, though there are some points on which I differ with Dr. Payne. The buildings
are always in good order, and the wards clean, fairly ventilated, and judiciously arranged; but
the great defect is want of space.
This is so thoroughly understood by the Inspector-General and by Government, that it
is only necessary to allude to the fact here, and to express my regret that under any condition
of the imperial finances it has not been found practicable to complete the new buildings which
had been commenced in 1868. Whilst alluding to this subject, I would invite a re-considera-
tion of the plan approved by Government for the extra insane wards. I object to the plan
sanctioned as the worst (on sanitary grounds) that could have been devised. The new build-
ings take a circular form to the north, effectually closing in that side of the grounds; and
although it may be said that the prevailing wind in the hot season being from the south,
building on the north will not be injurious, I still maintain that what is absolutely needed is
a thorough draft of air through these buildings, for no wind will blow with any force over
a space if there are obstructive buildings in the direction opposite to that from which
the wind blows. It is not too late to alter the design ; the new buildings should have run down
straight to the road on either side, but the road front should have remained open. The
conservancy at Dullunda is very efficient, so also is the drainage. The garden is an
excellent one, and supplies a large quantity of vegetables throughout the year.
The cooking arrangements are very perfect, Dr. Payne having established new stoves
and new ovens for cooking bread and other articles of diet. The supplies are generally
exceedingly good, but I have occasionally had to notice the very indifferent quality of the