126
REPORT ON THE
Sex.
Sex.—Of the treated, 80 were men and 21 were women. Amongst the East Indians
10 were men and 13 were women. Amongst the Europeans, however, 64 were men and
only 8 were women. But this was to be anticipated inasmuch as the sexes in the East
Indian community are probably almost equal in number; whereas the number of European
men in India is much greater than the number of European women.
Occupation.
Occupation.—The army sent 30 of the inmates of the year, and 15 were seamen.
Trades and professions furnished 13; while 2 were mechanics, and 41 are noted as having
no occupation.
Age.
Age.—Two inmates were under 20 years of age, 42 were between 20 and 30 years,
36 between 30 and 40, 11 between 40 and 50, 8 between 50 and 60, and 2 between 60
and 70. The patient who died was in the third decade.
Cost of main-
tenance.
Cost of patients.—Seven of the inmates were first-class paying-patients, 14 belonged
to the second-class paying; and 54 were paupers. The remainder were of the military classes.
The average cost of each patient in the year was, for establishment, Rs. 439,* and for clothing
Rs. 41. The average cost of each diet, including wine, was ten annas and one pie. Rs
10,434 were paid for passages to Europe, and Rs. 1,100 were spent in the purchase of out-
fits for the voyage.
Finances.
Receipts and disbursements.—During the year Rs. 4,578 were received on account of
the maintenance of patients, and Rs. 1,000, stoppages on account of soldiers.
There is still due from the shipping master Rs. 434-4, for clothing supplied to seamen ;
from Mr. Kallonas' estate, Rs. 1,635, on account of Mr. Kallonas' maintenance; and from
Mr. Goodall, on account of Miss Nash's maintenance for 1872, Rs. 108.
Amusement and
employment.
Amusement and employment.—The patients pass their time mainly in doing nothing.
This is partly owing to the climate, which disposes to idleness, and partly to the disease
from which the patients suffer, being of less intensity than it is in Europe. Books and
newspapers, as also the means to various games, are at the disposal of the inmates. These
are appreciated, more especially the English newspapers. The late matron, Mrs. De Vere,
used to take much trouble to engage and amuse the women patients, and it was her custom
to have them around her in the day-time occupied in sewing, knitting, and such like feminine
business.
Day-rooms.
Day-rooms.—The rooms in the lower floor of the central building are mainly set apart
as day-rooms for the first and second-class patients. These, however, are little used. The
patients have a strong tendency to seek their beds and the recumbent posture during the
day, and this is not easily combated; still the attempt to keep them awake and engaged is
desirable, if only for the reason that sleep in the day-time often leads to sleeplessness at
night.
Classification.
Classification.—The pauper patients are not allowed the same variety in diet as are the
paying-patients. With this exception all classes are treated very much alike. They mix
together freely, and pass their days together : nor can this well be avoided; for one set of
quarters being very hot in the day, all the patients during the day are moved into the
other set, which are better sheltered from the mid-day heat, and consequently cooler. I am
speaking of the male patients. The women's dormitories are arranged round a secluded
court-yard, and are cool and shaded.
* The above calculation is made on the daily average and not on the total treated.