2
The question of heating the wards and cells in the Hospital during the
winter by steam pipes or electric heaters needs close attention, when it is
remembered that a large number of patients are destructive, and will not wear
any covering.
The steam engine which worked the drinking water wells, has been
satisfactorily replaced by two electric motors.
Females.
3. The Female Asylum continues under the immediate care and control
of the Franciscan Sisters, whose solicitude and
devotion is beyond all praise. The popularity of
this branch of the institution is steadily increasing amongst all classes. There
has been some overcrowding in the European section which has already been
commented on.
types of insanity.
4. The largest number of admissions, falls under the heading of Mania,
and accounts for 39.64 per cent. of the total
number of admissions, during the triennium.
Charas and other toxic drugs form 9.21 per cent. Melancholia follows with
19.44 per cent., and lastly the varieties of dementia 12.02 per cent., are the
most frequent types.
The characteristic features of the Punjabi insane are violence and des-
tructiveness, and they are even more pronounced in the Pathan, of whom there
are a very large number. With this destructiveness it is extremely difficult
to keep pace in the matter of clothing and bedding. A special grant will be
necessary to augment the stock of clothing and bedding sufficiently to meet
urgent demands.
The Attendant Staff.
5. The efficient management of an institution is due in no small
measure to the reliableness of the staff. I
regret to say that the present type of attendant
falls far short of the standard necessary. The care of the insane is not an
occupation of choice, being naturally offensive and dangerous.
It would be a great boon if the services of a religious body could be
secured on similar lines to the Franciscan Sisterhood in the female branch.
Amusements.
6. Among the Indian patients amusements mainly consist of card play-
ing. Some devote attention to the keeping of
pets. The institution owns a gramophone, and
a magic lantern, which are unfortunately both out of order. The shady
lawns furnish ideal lolling grounds, especially during the summer months.
On festive days it is customary, to engage the services of musicians and
jugglers. Not infrequently musicians visit the asylum and voluntarily offer
their services to play for the amusement of the patients. The ordinary diet on
festive days is replaced by sweet rice and sweatmeats. Tobacco and other
luxuries are provided for workers in addition to the small stipends given as a
reward and incentive for good work.
Dietary.
7. The asylum diet is liberal, adequate and wholesome, and is supple-
mented by extras when occasion demands.
Escapes.
8. There were five escapes during the period under report. In 1918
a non-criminal insane escaped from the asylum
cow-shed where he was employed and is still at
large. In 1919 a military non-criminal insane escaped from the quarantine
enclosure, by scaling the wall, he was however, captured shortly after. In
1920 two non-criminal insanes escaped whilst employed on the asylum farm.
One was captured, the other is still at large. The defaulting attendants in
each case were adequately dealt with. One inmate escaped into the adjoining
Jail garden and jumped into a well. He was rescued with great difficulty.
The attendants who took part in the rescue have been recommended for
suitable rewards.