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found difficult; and he would imply that the cost of maintaining the hedge,
as it ought to be, will probably be as great as that of the construction of a
wall. He further adds, that as the hedge is insufficient to prevent the
insanes from escaping, they have to be shut up in the wards at night —a
proceeding which must be injurious to health, more particularly in the hot
months, when the air is barely moved by the slightest breeze. Dr. M ller
writes :—" There being, therefore, neither a wall nor a hedge to prevent the
main body of the lunatics from escaping, they are of necessity locked up
at night. This during the hot still nights of the year, which at certain ti nes
are not of infrequent occurrence, entails considerable suffering and even
injury to their health. During the hot weather in Sind it is the custom
for almost every one—prisoners in jails not excepted—to sleep in the open air;
and from a two-fold point of view it is surely not too much to ask that
similar advantages be granted to helpless lunatics. But under existing
arrangements it is impossible to concede this. Each night they are told off
to their respective barracks, and the doors—there are no windows—locked
upon them. Ventilation, it is true, has been provided for; but on occasions
when no breeze is stirring, which is often the case, it is of little service." He
goes on to recommend the remedy which has been proposed by Dr. Holmsted,
the Superintendent of the Asylum, viz., to surround the six male wards with
a wall high enough to prevent escapes. The ward doors could then be left
open at night, and the insanes might sleep in or out of doors at pleasure.
It appears to me that the arguments in favour of a boundary wall are so
strong as to deserve a re-consideration of this recommendation on the part
of Government. If the bricks were made by the insanes, and they were
employed to aid in the building of the wall, it could not cause any great
outlay of money from the Treasury. I am of opinion that Government
might sanction the wall being built, and a grant for the purpose be given to
the Superintendent, who could do the work, doubtless, far more cheaply than
the Public Works Department. This leads me to another point, which has
been noticed by Dr. Holmsted, viz., whether it would not be more satisfac-
tory, both as regards cheapness and expedition, to entrust the whole of the
annual repairs of the asylum to the Superintendent, which he is both ready
and willing to undertake, instead of the Public Works Department. The
adoption of this course, besides effecting a saving to Government, would have
also the great advantage to the patients of furnishing employment to many
of them.
Drainage.
115. The drainage is good.
Well Water,
116. There are four wells, two of which contain abundance of good
water. Dr. Miller observes :—" No progress has yet
been made towards covering the open well, which in
previous reports I have recommended. The only one that is covered, had a
couple of pumps fitted to it some two years ago; but as these are continually
getting out of order, the well is virtually closed. This is especially to be
regretted, as a plunge-bath had been built alongside, which was supplied
from this well. The patients are thus debarred from using the bath, the
benefit of which, particularly in the hot weather, was of much service to them
in various ways."
Clothing.
117. The clothing has been sufficient, and is of a
suitable description both for the hot and cold seasons