18
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
principle to the Madras Asylum, as proposed by the Surgeon-General in last year's
report, meets with one great difficulty, viz., in finding suitable surroundings and
trustworthy persons to whom could be committed so responsible a charge. The
native character is in many points so unreliable that it would be difficult to confide
to them poor creatures who would be incapable of complaining. Doubtless, could
suitable homes be found for them, the results would be most satisfactory; but the
chief defect in asylums in England which renders the boarding-out system so
desirable there, is their large size and prison-like aspect, overcrowding and accu-
mulation of so many insanes together. These drawbacks do not exist here, where
the appearance of the grounds with their detached cottages is that of a village, and
more cheerful and healthy than any localities occupied by persons in the same class
of life. The warders work with the patients, and their friends visit them weekly.
Under such circumstances the boarding-out system might be tried as an experiment
to be resorted to should the asylum ever become over-populated. Nearly allied to
this subject is the occasional mingling of the two sexes, which, from its associations
with home life, proves valuable and beneficial. Although the women's quarters are
separated from the rest of the asylum by a low wall, and during the busy hours of
the day they are necessarily apart, they occasionally, when the band plays, meet
and dance and converse together, which seems to cheer and please them. Visitors
also take great interest in them, and it is much to be wished that the opportunities
of social gathering could be yet more frequent. I have even more reason to speak
favorably of the morning and evening exercise to which I alluded on former
occasions as productive of marked benefit. The long walks round the extensive
grounds of the asylum in which all patients not actively employed throughout
the day are induced to join tend to improve their bodily health, work off their
superfluous energies, and prepare them for the night's repose; in fact it proves one
of the best hypnotics as well as a most healthy and innocuous one. I may instance
the case of one who formerly loitered about and was on several occasions very
violent and always an uncertain and troublesome patient. Since, by my order, he
accompanied the others in their walks, he has become quiet, tranquil, and well
behaved. I could give many examples, but will only instance one other, a State
prisoner, who was formerly very abusive and at times violent, has improved consid-
erably. In many cases of insomnia a little wine or arrack at bed time induces
quiet sleep, and I do not consider the use of opiates desirable where simple means
can be employed to effect the desired result. Lastly, I may mention what is called
the humouring method of treatment which some condemn as calculated to feed the
original delusion. Such has not been my experience here, although it is a method
of treatment requiring tact and personal observation of the individual case. As a
rule, to avoid opposition to delusion or caprice without by undue encouragement,
fostering abnormal ideas produces most happy results, and in any case the kinder
course may first be tried and greater firmness exercised when the necessity becomes
apparent.
10. I have much satisfaction in detailing the valuable results, first to the
patients, and secondly to the institution of the various occupations which have
been introduced. These have proved not only remedial agents of great importance
but also, in the economy of the establishment, have effected a reform in the quality
and cost of the clothing. The weaving, carried on last season as an experiment,
has this year, on the recommendation of the Surgeon-General (who fully supported
my views on the subject of occupation and kindly obtained the sanction of Govern-
ment), been employed for the manufacture, first, of a portion of the clothing, and
now for both the clothing and bedding of the institution.
Four English looms are at work turning out on an average ten yards a day,
making a total of 3,691 yards, during the year, of excellent material. The cotton
being supplied on indent by Government, the cost of the clothing is greatly
reduced, while at the same time the quality is vastly improved. The cloth when
woven is carefully cut out by one of the tailors and sewn by the women aided by the
other tailor with the sewing-machine. Some are employed in spinning the cotton,
preparing the thread, starching and arranging it upon the loom. Of the weavers, one
learnt it at Trichinopoly Jail before he became insane, the others have acquired it