ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
17
The official visitors reported as follows :—
"We consider the well to be as securely safeguarded as it is possible to be, and are of
opinion that the accident could not have occurred if there had not been gross carelessness on
the part of the ayahs engaged in drawing water. We would recommend, however, that pumps
be erected to ensure absolute immunity from accidents of the nature brought to our notice."
The Coroner recommended the closing of the wells and the erection of pumps.
Each well is protected by a strong teak and iron grating, in the centre of
which is a trap-door which is kept locked when the well is not being used. When
the trap door is raised there are two openings 19×21 inches just large enough for
the raising and lowering of the buckets. It is evident, therefore, that it is
impossible for a patient by a sudden rush to throw himself into a well, and if the
attendants engaged at the well do their duty it will be impossible for an accident
to occur.
Besides those patients discharged cured and died, 21 have been handed over to
care of relatives, and 12 (military) have been transferred to England.
On the 31st March 1880, 246 patients remained under treatment, viz.:—
Chronic mania ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Do. dementia ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Idiotcy ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Imbecility ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Acute dementia ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Melancholia ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Acute mania ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Puerperal mania ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Observation ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
127
32
17
5
2
26
26
2
9
This table does not correspond with Form No. 6. The explanation is this—
On going through the hospital records I find that through an oversight
several patients who have been for years in the asylum are still borne on the rolls
as suffering from "acute mania," the disease for which they were originally
admitted. It will be seen from the above list what a large proportion the chronic
cases bear to what may be called the "curable cases."
In accordance with G.O., No. 1,176, of 20th June 1879, applications have been
made to Magistrates and others by whom harmless chronic cases have been sent
to the asylum with a view to ascertain whether these patients had relatives able to
take care of them or to contribute to their support in the asylum :—
Number of inquiries ... ... ... ... ... ...
Replies received ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
No relatives or friends able to support ... ... ... ...
Handed over to relatives ... ... ... ... ... ...
Replies not yet received ... ... ... ... ... ...
58
...
38
2
18
Treatment.—Dr. Nanney has in former reports entered fully into the subject
of treatment, and in his report for the present year he states : "The greatest
reliance must be placed on moral and hygienic measures, and drugs used
sparingly."
The diet is very liberal, and it is astonishing to see how rapidly many of the
patients gain in weight after admission. Occupation is considered an important
part of treatment. Nearly all the native patients are engaged in occupation
of some sort. Difficulty is experienced in getting East Indian men to work, but
the women work well and are of great assistance in making up the clothes. All
articles of clothing, with the exception of blankets and flannel are manufactured
in the asylum.
Five thousand and forty-one yards of cloth have been manufactured during
the year, showing an increase of 767 yards made in 1878-79. The material is
excellent and makes good serviceable cloths for men, but the European and East
Indian females should be provided with something more becoming. A few pretty
chintz dresses would not cost much and would be much appreciated by the
unfortunate patients, many of whom have the greatest objection to the present
asylum dress,
5