ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
19
since they came here. From the time that the weaving operations have been thorough-
ly established I have observed a marked improvement in the behaviour of the crimi-
nal patients by whom the chief portion of this work is carried on. The looms are
erected in the criminal enclosure as offering greater security for the thread and
various appliances. The sewing-machine and the tailoring are under the care of
the matron, and a great deal of good needle-work is done by the women, who also
mark the blankets and cumblies. For the security of the other clothing, to prevent
theft, three longitudinal blue lines are woven into every piece of cloth. Thus any
clothing abstracted could be at once identified. It is in addition stamped with
the asylum mark, and the loss of clothing since the introduction of this system and
the reorganisation of the Steward's Department has been almost nil. The next
branch of industry is the gardening, which affords much useful and healthy occupa-
tion ; it has not realized much profit this year owing to the bad season, but the young
fruit trees planted last year have been kept alive in spite of the drought, and are
healthy and flourishing, and additions have been made this season which promise
well, and in the course of a few years some very handsome avenues of graft
mangoes, asokas, and casuarinas will adorn the asylum grounds and afford much shade
and protection. Further occupation is found in sweeping and cleaning the
extensive grounds, cutting the roads and hedges, drawing water, pounding and
sifting earth for conservancy purposes; some patients help at the cook-room and
assist in carrying round the food and in general work about the cottages and
wards. Some very good rope was also made, and this branch of industry could be
usefully developed if it might be manufactured here for the use of the institution
instead of obtaining it, as at present, from the Penitentiary. I am glad to say
that this season some of the idiots have been induced to assist in watering the
young trees, who hitherto did little or nothing.
11. Recreation.—This has, since the introduction of an enlightened system
into the treatment of the insane, been regarded as a most important auxiliary.
Next to occupation we must look upon amusement as most calculated to benefit
the mind weakened by disease or absorbed by morbid imaginings.
To divert from harmful introspection, to soothe by cheerful sounds and
sights the irritated nerves, to afford, in fact, to the sufferers any means of escaping
from themselves for ever so brief a period and turn the current of their thoughts
into a more natural and healthy channel, must be an aim of the highest importance.
With this view it is to be desired that more might be done than has hitherto been
attainable. No funds are available for this purpose, except such as may be
derived from the sale of fruit or fallen wood, at all times small and precarious, and
which might be properly expended in gardening appliances could the subject of
recreation be placed on a more satisfactory footing.
At Christmas the public liberally subscribe to afford the inmates an entertain-
ment, which is also largely attended by numbers of the residents of Madras. A
Christmas dinner followed by various amusements—jugglers, sack races, fire-works,
&c.—is provided, and presents are distributed to such of the inmates as are capable
of appreciating them. From the orderly and cheerful demeanour of the patients on
this occasion, all present can judge how beneficial is the effect of such scenes on the
insane, in rousing them from a state of apathy and bringing them in contact with
healthy minds, and for once breaking down the barriers which separate these poor
afficted ones from their fellow creatures. The band plays once a fortnight in the
asylum grounds through the kindness of the Colonel and officers of the 10th Regi-
ment, and this is a treat highly appreciated, and especially when visitors kindly
converse with the patients. The library, which was established three years ago, is
still regarded as a boon by the more intelligent patients, although, owing to want
of funds, few additions have been made to it beyond the yearly supply of news-
papers and magazines.
12. The services, which were held once a week, have been unavoidably
discontinued. The attendance was small, but it is to be regretted that the humanis-
--- effect of divine service with music, which would attract and soothe, should not
be afforded to those who are debarred from so many of the pleasures and consola-
tions of life. It seems most fitting that religion should hold some place in so large
an institution.