10
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
unnecessarily to the outlay of an expensive institution without corresponding
advantage; for it is evident that the care of these harmless insanes could be efficiently
secured at much less expense to the State, either by erecting suitable wards, huts,
or sheds in connection with mofussil dispensaries or by adopting a system of
boarding out under efficient general and medical inspection. The Superintendent
has been successful in introducing useful and remunerative occupations among the
inmates of the asylum; such occupations are remedial agents of great value and,
from an economical point of view, are of considerable pecuniary importance
to Government. In future the bedding as well as the clothing of the asylum
will be made by the inmates. Dr. Nanney's efforts in this direction are most
praiseworthy. The system followed of opening the asylum at proper times to
the inspection of the public is one calculated to secure public confidence in the
working of the institution and to dispel erroneous ideas touching the treatment
to which the afflicted inmates are subjected. The attention of Government is
solicited to the 12th paragraph of the Superintendent's report. The condition
of the grounds is most satisfactory; cleanliness, neatness and order are visible
everywhere. Economies have been effected in the cost of bedding and clothing
and a much needed reorganization has been introduced without increasing much
the total expenditure. Dr. Nanney speaks highly of his subordinate staff.
15. Vizagapatam Lunatic Asylum.—The report, a short one, of this asylum
has been prepared by Surgeon Smith the Superintendent. The year under review
commenced with 41 inmates in the asylum and 22 were admitted during the year
making a total of 63 treated; of whom 7 were discharged, 1, a criminal lunatic,
was transferred and 8 died, leaving 47 in the asylum at the close of the year. Of
the 22 admissions 19 were males and 3 females, and of the former number 6 were
criminal lunatics; the causes of insanity in the 22 cases of admission are recorded
as having been physical in one case and moral in two leaving 19 insanes with
regard to whom the causes of lunacy could not be ascertained. In 16 of the
admissions the disease was of long standing and in the remaining 6 the duration was
about three months. The criminal ward had an average of 8.19 inmates during
the year. Six of the seven cases discharged were cases of recovery and the
remaining case, when handed over to his relatives, had improved. The percent-
age of cured to total admissions was 27.27 to a daily average strength 12.76.
Eight deaths are recorded during the year; seven of the casualties, with one
exception, occurred in males. The high death-rate Dr. Smith attributes to organic
disease and to impaired constitution, the result of destitution and of starvation
" while wandering about prior to admission. " One birth occurred in the asylum
during the year, the circumstances connected with which have already been fully
reported to Government. The mental condition of the woman improved during
pregnancy and she was discharged cured two months after the birth of her child.
No epidemic disease attacked the inmates of the asylum though two villages, a
few hundred yards from the asylum, suffered severely from cholera. This exemp-
tion was doubtless owing in large measure to the careful sanitary arrangements
enforced by the Superintendent. The insanes are occupied morning and evening
in watering the young trees, cleaning the grounds of weeds, litter and decayed
leaves and in drawing water; their recreation apparently consists principally if not
entirely of music and singing. It would be well were other useful and varied
occupations introduced and the recreations made somewhat more varied than those
detailed in the report; rope-making, mat-making, pottery, weaving and other
simple manual occupations might be introduced with advantage. Certain defects
in the asylum buildings and enclosure have been brought to the notice of Govern-
ment, but as these are at present under reference further notice of them is not
required in this place. Sheep-farming was tried during the year on a small scale
by the Superintendent but owing to the drought the experiment was only partially
successful.
The asylum has many defects which it is hoped will be remedied
speedily. The Superintendent deserves credit for the success which has attended
his efforts to maintain the sanitary state of the institution and its freedom from
prevailing epidemic disease. An attempt was made by the Superintendent to initiate
the " boarding out" suggestion but the rates asked were high and it seemed doubt-
ful whether, after all, the persons applied to would have stood by the arrangement
proposed to be made. The cost in this asylum is about Rupees 13 per head.