20
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
The Chaplain of Vepery has, however, too many claims on his time.
13. Sanitary condition.—The sanitary condition of the grounds and buildings
is most satisfactory. The patients, under the system for night attendance introduced
in August 1874, have improved in their habits; the so-called filthy wards may be
regarded as a thing of the past, and in those rooms in which, owing to the dirty
habits of the patients, it was found necessary to tar the walls to a considerable
height, this precaution is now unneeded, and it is desirable for the sake of
cheerfulness to remove it. The number of night watchmen was reduced from eight
to six in order to increase the salaries of the Head European Warders and thus
obtain more efficient men; they at the same time undertaking a system of night
rounds which has proved successful, so that with six night watchmen thus
supervised, the work is more effectually carried out than with the eight as formerly.
Every morning the clothing and bedding is exposed to the air and sun, and the
dormitories locked during the day and freely ventilated, by which means their
sanitary condition is rendered all that can be desired.
The dry-earth system is carefully carried out, and the greatest attention paid
to the cleansing of the wards and latrines, which are, where necessary, flushed with
water daily and tar and lime-wash in constant use to remove all impurities. Brush-
wood, dead leaves, and all rubbish are removed from the grounds and buried in pits
dug for the purpose, affording a supply of garden mould and manure for future use.
Every portion of the grounds and the immediate neighborhood outside the walls
and fence are carefully inspected.
14. The lighting of the asylum is most defective. The oil lamp supplied to
each ward is wholly inadequate, and at the present price of lamp-oil has not the
merit of economy. The dim light in case of illness or sudden paroxysm of a patient
does not serve any useful purpose, and it is highly desirable that plain kerosine
lanterns should be introduced, which would prove both efficient and an ultimate
saving.
15. The cottages, which were built for better class patients in the female
enclosure, have been in constant use since their completion, thus proving the great
need for them. It has thus been possible to receive several patients for whom no
suitable accommodation could formerly have been provided. One such patient was
here for ten months, but deeming her an unfit subject for asylum treatment, I
recommended her removal and that she should be placed under private care.
Another private patient has derived benefit from treatment here and improved since
her admission. To patients of this class who can afford it, an evening drive proves
of great benefit.
16.
Financial Statement for 1876-77 and 1877-78.
—
Medical Officer's salary ... ...
Medical Subordinate's salary ... ...
Servants' wages
...
...
...
European medicines ...
...
...
Clothing and bedding ... ...
Dieting sick ... ... ... ...
Wines and spirits
... ... ...
Perishable articles and contingencies...
Total ...
1876.77.
RS.
7,500
3,737
9,838
126
4,195
31,215
2,050
4,106
62,770
A.
0
12
7
4
10
7
8
10
14
P.
0
11
11
2
8
11
0
7
2
1877-78.
RS.
7,211
3,714
11,692
281
1,064
29,938
2,374
5,723
62,001
A.
11
8
8
11
5
0
10
10
1
P.
8
8
0
2
8
5
0
1
8
Increase.
RS.
A. P.
...
...
1,854
155
0
7
1
0
...
...
324
1,616
3,950
2
15
8
0
6
7
Decrease.
RS.
288
23
A.
4
4
P.
4
3
...
...
3,131
1,277
5
7
0
6
...
...
4,720 5 1
The financial statement for the year 1877-78 is highly satisfactory, as owing to
several circumstances, viz., the issue of famine batta to all the asylum servants
whose pay was under Rupees 16, the appointment of a Head Steward on Rupees 70
per mensem, and the furnishing of two cottages for superior patients, it might have
been anticipated that the expenditure would be considerably increased, instead of
which the whole of this outlay has been met by saving in other directions, leaving