ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
7
15. Sickness.—The asylums were not visited by any extraordinary sickness
during 1884. The average number on the sick list was identical with that of the
previous year, viz., less than 5 per cent. of the daily strength.
16. MADRAS ASYLUM.—Surgeon-Major S. L. Dobie held the charge of this
institution until the end of December 1884, and was succeeded by Surgeon D. S. E.
Bain, who has been in charge since then.
17. Buildings.—The whole asylum has been under repair. Quarters for the
Assistant Matron and two second-class European attendants have been sanctioned.
A ward for 12 patients and 6 single rooms have been sanctioned to relieve the over-
crowding in the jail. Owing to the increased number of patients, two day sheds
were converted into temporary sleeping wards. Surgeon Bain points out the
necessity of a shower bath in the female enclosure.
18. Three native attendants have been dismissed for ill-treating the lunatics,
and many have been punished for using unnecessary force.
19. The washing having been reported as bad, the services of the dhobies
were dispensed with in January 1885 and washing machines started instead, being
worked by patients. Surgeon Bain reports that this new system has worked well
and affords daily employment for a number of patients.
20. The general management of the asylum has been good. Surgeon Bain
speaks highly of the subordinate staff.
21. WALTAIR.—This asylum was under the charge of Surgeon-Major J. B.
Thomas up to July 1884. Surgeon-Major Hyde held the charge from July to
November 1884, and since then Surgeon-Major J. Smith, the permanent incumbent,
has been in charge.
22. Buildings.—The criminal cottage has undergone the repairs and altera-
tions authorized in G.O., No. 32 Miscellaneous, of 9th January 1884, and the
criminals were accommodated during the work in the hospital in, accordance with
the suggestion of the Official Visitors. The average daily strength of the patients
has been 52.43. The health of the inmates has been invariably good. Five deaths
occurred during the year under review.
23. CALICUT.—Surgeon-Major H. D. Cook has been in charge throughout the
year.
24. There has been a steady increase in the number of lunatics in the Calicut
asylum. On the 1st April 1884 there were 100 inmates and the number increased
to 120 on the 1st April 1885. Several applications for admission had to be refused
for want of accommodation.
25. Buildings.—Government have in G.O., No. 2876, of 18th November 1884,
sanctioned additional accommodation for this institution, but the Public Works
Department have not as yet commenced the work. Dr. Cook strongly recommends
that immediate steps may be taken to construct the additional buildings,
26. Five deaths occurred during the year. The Superintendent reports that
not a single lunatic was received into the asylum in a good state of health.
27. FINANCE.—The total expenditure for the maintenance of the three asylums
amounted to Rs. 1,06,566 during the year. Out of this amount only Rs. 82,833
were received from the treasury, and the balance was recouped as follows :—
Payments for private patients
...
...
...
...
Contribution from local authorities ... ... ...
Value of articles manufactured in the asylums ... ...
Value of medical stores, saving effected in establishment,
lunatic labor, &c.
...
...
...
...
...
...
Rs.
3,224
18,674
1,165
668
28. The year under review shows a decrease of Rs. 2,723 in expenditure com-
pared with that of the previous year, which amounted to Rs. 1,09,289. This is
chiefly due to the charges for work done by the Public Works Department at Calicut
and Waltair having fallen from Rs. 4,104 in 1883 to 1,642 in 1884.
29. The recoveries in connection with the Waltair asylum have been much
higher during 1883 and 1884 than in the two preceding years. There is still a