24
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
One birth occurred during the year; the mother, an insane named Nuki, was
admitted into the asylum on the 20th November 1874 and was found to be
pregnant on the 17th July 1877. Searching inquiry was at once instituted
regarding the paternity by the Assistant Magistrate and subsequently by the
official visitors, Deputy Surgeon-General, District Judge, and District Magistrate,
but nothing was discovered regarding it. After the woman had become enceinte
her mental condition improved rapidly, and she was discharged cured on the 19th
January 1878, two months after the birth of her child. The female cottage is
enclosed by a henna hedge which practically is no fence at all as it is full of gaps.
The official visitors are of opinion that the females should be removed into the
criminal enclosure, the male criminals being transferred elsewhere.
The insanes are occupied morning and evening in watering the young trees, of
which there are a great number, clearing the grounds of weeds, litter and decayed
leaves, and drawing water; but during the day they amuse themselves with musical
instruments, singing, &c.
Occupation and recreation with good diet and kind treatment are the means
used for promoting recovery; I have noticed that those insanes who work
cheerfully and willingly keep the best health. All the deaths, without exception,
occurred among the non-working insanes. I am glad to report that a decided
improvement has taken place in the habits of the patients. Those of really filthy
habits are now very few in number. The cottage for these patients is now rarely
in the filthy state it used to be.
Owing to the unusual lack of rain farming operations were not attempted, but
sheep-farming on a small scale was tried for five months when there was sufficient
pasture, and the amount realised by the sale of stock was very encouraging.
An attempt is being made to lay down the grounds in " hurrialli" grass, but the past
year has been very unfavorable for such operations.
One insane effected his escape and was recaptured at his village. This man had
only been admitted three days previously; he removed the temporary fastenings
from the shattered door of his cottage at night, and through the opening thus
effected he made his exit. All the doors and windows which were damaged by the
cyclone of October 1876 are now in process of repair and will most probably be
completed in a short time.
No epidemic prevailed, though two villages (Chinna Waltair and Pedda
Waltair), distant a few hundreds of yards from the asylum, suffered severely from
cholera. The inmates of the asylum enjoyed perfect immunity from the disease; the
sanitation of the premises is strictly attended to always, but during the prevalence
of cholera in the vicinity sulphur fumigation is carried out daily.
Last year there remained on hand the sum of Rupees 40-8-4 from the Garden
Fund; 43 sheep were purchased for Rupees 36-10-6; 34 sheep were sold for
Rupees 52-15-0. By sale of garden produce the sum of Rupees 19-3-7 was realised,
and there now remains on hand the sum of Rupees 72-12-3. The sum of Rupees
3-4-2 was paid as hire for cutting palmyra leaves.
The cost of maintaining an insane during 1877-78 in this asylum has been on
on average Rupees 13-14-11 per mensem. The supplier had his diet rates raised,
owing to scarcity, from Annas 1-10 per full diet to Annas 3 per full diet, and from
Annas 1-7 per reduced diet to Annas 2-3 per reduced diet from the 1st October 1877
under Order of Government, No. 2,232, of 18th September 1877.
The cost of diets is recovered from the treasury, and the " other charges "
credited to Government agreeably to Government Order, dated 15th April 1875.
Criminal insanes are wholly supported at the cost of Government, but civil
insanes by the various Local Fund Boards and Municipalities.
A meeting of the official visitors takes place monthly.
Mr. Morris, the Apothecary in charge, has given me great satisfaction in the
discharge of his duties.
The Head Warder is a decent enough man, but he wants firmness of character;
is too mild and lacks authority over those under him.