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Out-door employment.—Under existing circumstances, only a few of the
patients can be employed in gardening, which is always to be regretted,
seeing that so large a number of the insanes belong to the agricultural class.
Allowing Dr. Maitland's remark regarding no suitable employment
having been found for the insanes, I cannot agree in his suggestion as to a
remedy, believing the agriculturist could neither be taught, nor would he
take kindly to, rope or basket-making, and if, as represented by the Deputy
Surgeon General, one reason, and this, perhaps, a chief one, of a falling off in
the number of those employed in field and gardening work, be due to a
scarcity of water, this may be remedied by that from the Kurruckwasla
Canal being laid on, as recommended, especially as a saving would be effected
thereby.
The occupation of grinding grain, as well as spinning, if not already in
use, should be at once introduced for the females.
DHARWAR.
The report of this asylum is meagre in the extreme, and reflects no credit
on Surgeon Major Mackenzie, who has been in charge for so many years.
The asylum would appear, though containing only a few patients, to be
crowded, and its site objectionable. The Superintendent represents that
very few of the inmates are in a state which will allow of out-door labour.
There is no remark as to the general health of the insanes. The deaths
(4) are attributed to ordinary diseases.
Of the Deputy Surgeon General's remarks regarding this asylum, little
is to be said. It appears to be little, if anything better than a makeshift,
and I can only hope the best is done under the circumstances, at the
same time considering the pressing calls upon it. It seems highly desirable
that such change should be made in the institution as to allow of the want
being met.
AHMEDABAD.
The report by the Deputy Surgeon General on this asylum is full of
interest ; it contains a concise history of the establishment with the changes
which have taken place, and an account of the system pursued in the manage-
ment and treatment of the inmates. The remarks of Dr. Wyllie are very
pertinent, and will not admit of curtailment with detriment. I beg to com-
mend them to the consideration of His Excellency the Governor in Council.
The entire success of this asylum is due to the great interest Dr. Wyllie has
taken in it, and the watchful care he has bestowed upon it since its com-
mencement.
That the ratio of cures should decrease with an increased number of
patients, the Superintendent shows cause for, though he also gives a high
ratio of recoveries, 15.1 per cent., which would be increased were those con-
valescent and transferred to friends added ; and there is held out the grati-
fying promise of a better result next year. The mortality has been small (8),
and all from physical ailments existing prior to admission.
The report shows the great value of out-door employment as a means of
cure; the Deputy Surgeon General represents, and no doubt justly, the
good health of the patients as due chiefly to this.
It is to be regretted that patients have had to be refused admission on
account of want of accommodation, and I beg most earnestly to recommend
Dr. Wyllie's suggestion for additional room, for favourable consideration,