( 47 )
1 escaped, 4 were sent for trial, and 4 were released by order of Government, leaving 32 in
the asylum on the 1st January 1868. Of the 51, 45 were males, 6 females.
The crimes for which they were confined were as follows :—25 had committed murder
or homicide; 16 grievous hurt; 8 theft; 2 attempted suicide.
Occupations.—During the past year, there was a daily average of
Sick in hospital ...
Intractable ...
Employed ...
Total ...
21.56
20.5
168.0
210.0
The occupations of the lunatics have been soorkee pounding, gardening, filling tank, ca
pentering, domestic duties, assisting in cooking and in conveying water from the river. As an
additional healthy employment for the robust, an oil mill was constructed in April, which was
in use during the last 8 months of the year. The mustard oil is sold to the contractor.
In endeavouring to provide occupation for lunatics, profit is not considered as the chief
object in view. The difficulty is to find employment suited to the class of people from which
the lunatics come. The three classes whence the largest number are received are ryots,
servants, and beggars. Very few are obtained from the manufacturing classes. Labor con-
nected with cultivation is best adapted for all; but the small extent of ground attached to the
asylum is insufficient for this purpose, and until the new piece of land on the west is obtained,
it will be impossible to supply work to which they have been accustomed. The husking of
paddy appears to be an employment well adapted for the majority of the lunatics resident in
this asylum, and it is at the same time very remunerative. At present a shed is in course
of construction with space for six "dhenkies," which will keep over 20 men regularly and
pleasantly employed.
In July last a school was established and elementary Bengallee books supplied; a
small proportion of the lunatics can read when admitted. If they express any desire to
attend the class, permission is at once given. Even if the progress made is not rapid, the
regular hours and the order enforced have a beneficial effect on the minds of the lunatics. In
a few instances, among the younger inmates, great aptitude for learning has been shown.
Several have been taught to read fluently, and to make simple calculations with facility.
Native musical instruments, cards, and "pachisi" are permitted after working hours. The
tractable and well-behaved are allowed to go out occasionally with the keepers to witness the
processions during the Mohurrum and Dusserah festivals.
Through the liberality of Khajeh Abdool Gunny, who has placed at my disposal the sum
of Rs. 24 per mensem, I am enabled to provide two nautches per month for the lunatics.
Permission to be present is only given to those who are industrious and well-behaved. These
entertainments are always conducted with propriety, and the behaviour of the lunatics is
quite exemplary. On the first occasion I watched the faces of the audience, and it was
amusing to observe the intense pleasure and abstraction into which many of the irritable and
listless were thrown by the sound of some well-known air. These nautches are looked
forward to with great pleasure, and their influence on the minds of the insane is most
beneficial,