12
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
Amusements.— The amusements have been the same as in previous years.
Treatment.—Nearly all patients have been under treatment previous to
admission, and in the majority of the cases, whether they are feeble or robust,
maniacal or melancholic, they are dosed with chloral and bromide of potassium, with
occasional purgatives and blisters. Far too little attention is paid to the bodily
condition. I have nothing to add to last year's report regarding treatment.
In one case of acute mania occurring in an unusually powerful European wet
packing was tried, with good result, in allaying excitement and inducing sleep.
A new diet came into use from the 1st April, and is, I consider, an improve-
ment on the old, as it is more varied and therefore better adapted for an asylum
where patients are often for many years under treatment.
A sum of Rs. 567 was stolen from the Steward's office on November 3rd.
The money was a portion of the pay of the establishment. A full report of the
occurrence was made at the time.
Financial.—The financial statement which is shown below will compare favor-
ably with that of previous years : —
Establishment .. .. .. ..
Diets .. .. .. .. ..
Clothing and bedding .. .. ..
Bazaar medicines and contingencies ..
Europe medicines .. .. .. ..
Remitted to Treasury on account of patients.
Hospital stoppages credited to Government.
Total Expenditure ..
Expenditure.
RS.
15,867
16,865
999
1,492
182
7,256
631
43,295
A.
15
7
1
12
5
2
11
6
P.
6
7
0
1
6
0
0
8
Cost per head.
RS.
56
60
3
5
0
26
2
155
A.
14
7
9
5
10
0
4
2
P.
0
2
4
7
5
1
3
10
i
Mr. Watts has been in charge since July last. He has given me every satis-
faction ; he is active and zealous in the discharge of his duties, keeping the Warders
well in hand and bringing any irregularity promptly to my notice.
Mr. Jones has worked uniformly well since he has been in the asylum. He
is very painstaking and does his best in every way for the patients.
Mr. Bruce resigned in order to take up a more lucrative post, and was suc-
ceeded by Mr. Lawrence; the latter will do well, I think, if strong enough for his
position.
Serjeant McColeman does his best and is anxious to please, but he seems
incapable of learning that constant care and watchfulness are required in a Lunatic
Asylum, and is too fond of giving orders and leaving them to be carried out instead
of seeing them carried out.
Serjeant Fowler resigned his appointment as the pay was insufficient, but
hearing that the pay would be raised, he applied to be allowed to return to duty.
He has done good work until lately, but the last few months I have had frequent
cause to complain of neglect of duty.
Serjeant Grealy has succeeded Muriel, who was incapacitated by age for his
work. I think he will do well.
Mrs. Hennon has always given satisfaction. She is very kind to the patients
and much liked by them.
Mrs. Gallagher, formerly Matron at the Magdalene Asylum, has been appointed
Assistant Matron.
The Steward can do his work well, but requires to be kept to it.
The Assistant Steward was discharged for leaving the asylum before the
proper hour and entrusting his keys to a Maty. He had constantly given trouble,
and was reported by my predecessor on one occasion as " most unfitted for his
post."
The Writer has done his work well. I consider he deserves better pay as he
has now been some years in the asylum.
The Warders have done somewhat better. The prospect of increased pay
and promotion has had a good effect.