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4. The sanitary condition of the asylum is portrayed in somewhat
gloomy colours; wherever a number of lunatics may be located, under similar
conditions and circumstances as attend this asylum, it must necessarily be
that excreta and washings must accumulate during the night; these are,
however, quickly removed at early morning, and are not allowed to collect to
any great extent during the day. In wet weather, that is, when rain falls
without wind, and occasionally when the atmosphere is still and close, there
is undoubtedly a malodour, which is, however, kept down by free use of
deodorants, by sluicing when possible, and disappears when the breeze sets
strongly in, almost entirely.
5. The asylum, built at a time when sanitary laws were yet in their
infancy, does not possess such special contrivances as exists in European
asylums of the present day, with plentiful water-supply and full-fall drains,
by. which prompt removal without assistance is effected. It is a matter
of doubt whether such arrangements could now be carried out satisfactorily
in the buildings.
6. The Superintendent has dwelt on the paucity of water ; there is at
certain seasons barely sufficient to meet the domestic wants, none to sluice
the drains, which are at certain seasons offensive, and for gardening purposes.
Under any circumstances, the water-supply should, I respectfully suggest,
engage the attention of Government, particularly when the necessity is before
us of endeavoring to purify by its means, as far as possible, the atmosphere
of the premises.
7. Concerning criminal lunatics, the Superintendent alludes to the
Prussian Code.
Presumably what is meant is, that before a criminal is pronounced
lunatic, the statutory condition to be fulfilled is that the evidence of insanity
taken at the trial has to be placed before an expert, whose opinion has,
to a certain extent, to guide the Judge in his decision. Perhaps, were this
system carried out here, some criminals would not be sent to lunatic asylums
as insane.
8. The mortality is said to be influenced by the rainy season, and, con-
sequently, the health of the inmates must be also. This may be ascribed to
exposure, as the sheds in the yards are insufficient for proper shelter during
the rains as well as in the other seasons, and to there being no hospital for
the treatment of bodily disease, the sick being treated either in the dormi-
tories, or in an exposed shed at the south extremity of the asylum, quite un-
suited for such a purpose. But this, with other wants, must probably remain
unremedied, until a new asylum, designed on principles at present recognized
as correct, can be built on another site, where space can be afforded for
every purpose required for the care and treatment of lunatics.
9. There is much difficulty in finding employment for the lunatics,
particularly with reference to remunerative industry. At present the busi-
ness is carried on, on account of the workshop, by the Superintendent, as it
has been for a number of years. Originally, money was laid out by the
Superintendent himself for the purchase of materials; these, when worked up
into baskets, chairs, &c., were sold, and the proceeds employed in reimbursing
the Superintendent for his outlay in re-purchase of materials, in relief to