26
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
some very neat ones have been turned out. Another branch of labor has also been
introduced in preparing coir for ropes, which is done by the females.
9. On Christmas and on some of the more important native festivals, the
inmates were given a little entertainment in the shape of extra diet, fowl curry,
fruits, sweets, &c., and promenaded about the asylum grounds with their musical
instruments.
10. Sheep-farming has been tried, but has been a total failure this year, as
almost the whole of the animals died from disease. In the month of August 74
sheep were bought, but from some cause they got diarrhœa and died one after
another, and at present only 17 remain. They had plenty of food, as grass was
plentiful, but somehow they did not thrive. A large quantity of grass is on hand,
for which I have difficulty in finding sale in this small station.
11. The asylum buildings are sadly in want of repair, as many of them are in
a most unsightly state, not having been white or blue washed since they were
replastered many months ago, and the very leaky state of the roofs of the buildings
has been brought to the notice of the District Engineer. There are also a number
of bolts and hinges requiring repair and some wanting. The hospital has been
vacated since November last, as it was considered unsafe owing to the dangerous
state of one of its walls.
The very inefficient doors and windows which have been provided to all the
buildings in this asylum has frequently been brought to notice ; they are the
ordinary venetian doors and windows common in dwelling-houses in this country,
but are of a very weak construction, and the venetians particularly are constantly
being broken by the inmates. There is no separate accommodation for patients
requiring seclusion. I have suggested that six single rooms be built on a line with
and to the north of the most westerly of the three dormitories for males at a distance
of 25 yards, and for the females a block of two rooms within their enclosure and to
the south of the dormitory.
12. The cost of maintaining an insane during the year in this asylum has been
on an average Rupees 168-3-11, viz., diets Rupees 59, clothing Rupees 4-7-1, estab-
lishment Rupees 97-7-5, cost of medicines Rupees 1-4-3, and contingencies Rupees,
6-1-2.
The cost of dieting is recovered from the treasury, and the other charges are
credited to Government by the Treasury Officer agreeably to Proceedings of Govern-
ment, dated 15th April 1875. Criminal lunatics are wholly supported by Government,
and civil insanes by the various Local Fund Boards and Municipalities.
13. A meeting of the official visitors takes place monthly.
14. In order to reduce the expenses of the asylum, the post of a First-class
Apothecary was abolished in October last and replaced by a First-class Assistant
Apothecary, as the pay of the former formed a very high item in the monthly bills.
The post of a European or East Indian Head Warder has not yet been filled
up, as it is difficult to procure the services of a man who knows a trade. The change
has worked very satisfactorily up to date.
15. I am glad to be able to say that the conduct of the subordinate officers and
warders has been on the whole satisfactory during the past year. Mr. White,
Assistant Apothecary, has shown himself to be anxious and zealous during the few
months he has been here.
The Native Head Warder has given me more satisfaction than in the previous
year.
I certify that the orders respecting the custody of poisonous drugs issued by
the Principal Inspector-General, Indian Medical Department, dated 23rd January
1863, are carefully carried out.
WALTAIR,
(Signed)
JAMES SMITH, Surgeon,
1st April 1879.
Superintendent, Lunatic Asylum.
(Signed)
COLVIN SMITH, M.D.,
Deputy Surgeon-General, I.M.D.,
Presidency and Northern District.