ANNUAL REPORT ON THE TEZPUR LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE
YEAR 1894.
1. Asylum charge.—I was in charge as Superintendent of the Asylum during
the entire year.
2. Improvements.—(a) A masonry cistern with a filter was attached to the well
during the year. This enables us to cover in the well, when the cistern is filled ; and
although it prevents risk of suicide or accident, we still have to use the primitive rope
and bucket to draw up the water. If a pump is added later on, it should be a very
substantial one, as there would be difficulty over repairs.
(b) The ventilation of 'the criminal ward was improved by putting additional
ventilators in the ceiling.
(c) The practice of washing out the criminal ward daily with phenyle has been
discontinued, and dry earth used instead. The entire floor which is of asphalt is covered
4i inches deep with earth, which is removed where soiled. This plan, suggested by
Dr. Warburton in the case of the non-crintinal quarters, is satisfactory where the floor is
good beneath the earth ; but, in the case of cuteha floors, it does not answer well, especially
in the rains, as the earth gets moist and cakes. In the criminal ward, however, things
are different, and the offensive smell, formerly noticeable in the morning after occupation
over night', has disappeared. We have not tried separate beds in the criminal ward yet.
If we ever do so, it is essential that each bed be fixed and immoveable.
(d) The entrance gate needs repairs, which will be seen to this year. A triangular
bit of land in front of the Asylum has been laid out as a flower garden. A wooden
door now separates the male from the female inmates by day. Two new sheds for
work or recreation, as the case may be, have been erected. They will enable us to
separate the male inmates into two batches—a very important matter as regards the
comfort of the patients.
3. Accommodation.—The Asylum contains accommodation for 80 male and 38
female lunatics. The greatest numbers confined in- any one day were 93 males and
23 females, total 116. Overcrowding, lasting about a week, would have occurred only
for the use of the hospital and cells for male patients in the ordinary way.
4. Clothing and bedding.—The summer elothing was supplied by the Tezpur Jail,
as heretofore, and the blankets, which are of a very good quality, by the Bhagulpur Jail.
Dhotis and saris are now being made by the inmates at the Asylum. Owing to the
nature of the ailments prevailing in the Asylum, it has been decided to give the patients a
third blanket at night during the cold weather.
5. Drainage.—The drainage of the Asylum is naturally good. No alteration took
place during the year.
6. Hospital accommodation.—"No change.
7. Water-supply.—The water from the Asylum well continues good and abundant.
There is no change except the addition of a filter and cistern to the well formerly in use,
described in paragraph 2.
8. Conservancy.—The dry-earth system (with early removal to trenches) continues
to work satisfactorily.
9. Admissions and discharges.—The following statement gives particulars of the
admissions and discharges for the past two years and the average of the preceding ten years :
1804.
1833.
Average of previous tou years.
Mill,'.
Female.
Total.
Male.
Female.
•
Total.
Male.
Female.
Total.
Remained
...
...
Admitted
.,,
Re-admittod
...
...
71
41
2
27
5
98
40
2
79
21
3
31
11
110
32
3
61-0
23-7
2-7
19-4
73
U-'J
80-4
31-0
36
Total
114
32
140
103
18-93
'22
10
71
42
73-42
8
5
2
27
145
87-4
27-0
115 0
Avoragc population
...
Discharged
...
.,,
Died
Escaped
Remaining
81-68
8
20
3
83
24-19
2
8
22
L05.87
10
28
3
105
102-3')
3')
15
2
98
6828
14.-6
6-7
10
04-5
21-05
4-2
2-8
0-3
20-9
84-28
18-8
9-0
1-9
S53