REPORT ON THE TEZPUR LUNATIC ASYLUM.
ANNUAL BEPOBT OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUM, TEZPUR, 1878,
SINCE my last report, no alterations or additions of any importance, either in the con-
struction or arrangements of the Asylum, have been made, and, as it is not necessary for me
to enter again into the question of the provision of suitable accommodation adapted to the
proper classification of the lunatics, little more remains than to review the proceedings of
the past year.
2. One slight alteration has been made during the year: Instead of leaving the
huts separate, with a keeper's room attached to each, in six instances the huts have been
placed two together under one roof, with one keeper's room in the centre. By this means
increased accommodation has been obtained, and each keeper has been able to look after
double the number of patients. This has been done without any extra expense, as, during
the annual repairs, the huts had to be completely dismantled, and in many instances the
posts had to be renewed. The whole buildings have been put in proper repair, and as
Imuch of this work as possible has been carried out by the lunatics; but, after all, what
they could do was but small, as they could not be trusted with any but the simplest work,
such as plastering, &c. The huts, such as they are, have been kept in good order and water-
tight, though still presenting, through their simplicity of structure, the same facilities for
;escape in the absence of an efficient night guard that they alwa) T s have done, and must do.
Were it not for this, and for the cost of frequent renewal, my opinion is that the style of
hut is quite adapted, and perhaps the best, for the class of people we have to deal with.
The insecurity of the huts is shown by the fact that one lunatic dug his way out under
the wall during the night, though it must be admitted that this could not have happened
had the night watchman been at his post. As is usual, in this, as also in the other instance
of escape during the 3 r ear, the keeper on guard was in fault.
3. Suitable quarters for the Overseer in charge, outside the Asylum, and close to it,
jhave been constructed during the year. This was done out of the sum allotted for annual
repairs. Quarters are still required for the compounder, who, in the absence of a Native
l)octor, is in immediate charge of the sick.
4. Water-supply.—No changes have been effected in this. The supply from the
[wells during the year failed less, as regards quantity, than in 1877, so that it was less often
[necessary to send the insanes to the Mora Bhorelli River to bathe; and on no occasion
was the drinking-water obtained from any other source than the wells. The chances of
the insanes swallowing impurities was thus far reduced, but not done away with, for, as is
well known, it is utterly impossible to keep even sane natives from putting into their
mouths some of the water they bathe in, however foul it may be. The water from the
wells is to all appearances very good, nor are there apparently, from the position of the
Asylum in an open space free from encumberment by population, any chances of its be-
coming contaminated by animal refuse other than the infinitesimal proportion that may
: possibly be washed off the feet of those drawing water from the wells.
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As it is desirable, on sanitary grounds, that the insanes should not resort to the Mora
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tmorelli, and consequently, as it is necessary for them to bathe at the wells, 1 quite coincide
With the opinion expressed by Dr. DeRenzy, that it would be better if a tank were provid-
ed in the neighbourhood of one of the wells, from which the insanes could bathe, as it
could also be adapted to the administration of shower and other baths, so efficacious in the
treatment of the insane. The depth of the well is so great that a force pump would be
Squired, but, as Dr. DeRenzy points out, such a pump and reservoir could, in the
°ase of the Asylum being done away with, be made use of elsewhere. The cost, however,
will be very heavy, as the Executive-Engineer informs me that it will exceed Rs. 2,000.
As formerly, the patients have bathed daily, and, when this has been carried out at the
Wells, the water has been drawn by one man and by him given to those requiring it. The
patients' clothing has been washed with either sageemattee or soap twice in the week, so
that personal dirt as a cause of sickness might be eliminated as far as possible.
5. Conservancy,—The latrines were the same in number as before, and occupied
L - l e same position. They were altered in some minor particulars, so as to admit of better
,eil tilation with equal privacy, and in doing this the doors were done away with. The floors