4
extra nourishment to lunatics during the fever epidemic, and to the admission of three
lunatics, consisting of one European, one Parsi and one Eurasian :—
Establishment
Diet
Clothing
Bazar medicines
Miscellaneous contingencies
Total
1887.
Rs.
47
42
4
0
7
101
A.
2
13
7
4
2
14
P.
8
2
8
8
1
3
1886.
Rs.
44
39
5
0
6
95
A.
12
1
6
3
.8
15
P.
1
3
11
3
4
10
Paying patients.
10. At the commencement of the year the number of paying-patients was 8, viz.,
7 males and 1 female; 4 were admitted during the year, 3 males and
1 female, making a total of 12 : 10 males and 2 females, of whom
6 males were discharged. There now remains in the Asylum 6, 4 males and 2 females.
Rupees 951-6-5 has been recovered and remitted to the treasury.
Profit on manufatures.
11. The net profit of the manufactures was Rs. 1,047-10-9, against Rs. 1,201-3-9.*
A considerable improvement might be made in regard to the manu-
factures of the Asylum, but hitherto little could be done in this res-
pect, owing to the want of a workshop for weaving in the dangerous ward. This, however,
has been put in hand and is nearly completed. A place is also about to be constructed for
mulling blankets.
Employment of lunatics.
12. The lunatics are chiefly employed in grinding all the wheat used, raising vege-
tables for the supply of the Asylum, and fodder for the bullocks.
The women spin thread, and as far as space permitted the use of
looms, weaving of blankets was carried on. A man has lately been appointed for the purpose
of teaching weaving work, and directly the new workshop is complete, I see no reason why
the clothing should not be manufactured on the premises. On an average 72.0 lunatics have
been employed strictly on manufactures, and 78.0 on menial work, such as sweeping, cleaning,
water carrying, cooking, levelling earth, &c.
European lunatics.
13. One European lunatic was confined in the Asylum for a few months, but was
subsequently made over to his relatives on security. While in the
Asylum, he paid all expenses attending his keep.
Harmless lunatics.
14. Seventeen harmless lunatics were made over to their
relatives on security by order of the visitors.
Building.
15. The Lunatic Asylum was, so far as I can ascertain, an old serai, formerly used for
Lehna Singh's cavalry, to which additions and alterations have
been made from time to time. Most of the buildings, therefore com-
posing the Asylum, are not suited for the purpose they now occupy, being ill-constructed and
badly ventilated. Too cold and draughty in the winter months, while in the hot season they
are close, and the means adopted to allow of sufficient perflation of air are crude and imper-
fect. I do not think the present buildings can be improved, re-construction being necessary
in order to effect a radical change. In my opinion, a new Asylum, constructed on a carefully
devised plan is required, and might be built by prison labour.
Water-supply.
16. The present water-supply for cooking and drinking purposes is obtained from
pipes connected with the end of the Railway main. It is therefore
intermittent, and entirely dependent on the requirements of the Rail-
way population. The supply usually falls short altogether from the beginning of May until
the rains begin. This defect was much felt during the last hot season, and were it not for the
strong representation made to the Manager of the Railway, who kindly allowed me to take
water from his hydrants, and convey it to the Asylum in carts, I do not think an epidemic
of cholera could have been averted. A constant supply of water can only be obtained by
connecting the Asylum system of pipes, with the municipal main. This matter has, however
been fully represented in a separate communication , and I need not again refer to it here.
Cholera.
17, Some suspicious cases and two deaths from Asiatic cholera occurred during the
last hot season, at a time when a severe epidemic of the disease pre-
vailed in the Central Jail. The lunatics were at this time much
reduced by fever, and as an epidemic might at any moment have occurred , I made all neces-
sary preparations to remove the greater portion of them into camp at a day's notice. Happily,
however, no more cases occurred.
Conservancy.
18. Every attempt is made to carry out the dry-earth system of conservancy, but the
latrines are uncovered, and the arrangements are therefore imper-
fect. The conservancy establishment is not sufficient, there are only
6 male and 2 female sweepers employed, and the pay is too small. The ordinary sweepers are
* The amount in the Report for 1886 was incorrect, vide Letter No. 442 (Home|Medical.) ,dated 17 th August
1887, from the Government of India , to the Punjab Government.