8
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
13. Sickness of Lunatics.—In Madras, as already stated, a good many of the
inmates of the asylum showed obvious signs of scurvy during July, August and
September. The prescribed diet for all classes of patients had been improved in
the previous year, and supposing that the patients got what was intended for them,
it is difficult to understand why they should have fallen into a low condition of
health. I investigated the matter personally, but could not discover that there
had been any irregularities in victualing the patients. Weekly examinations of the
whole of the inmates were instituted, and great attention paid to the use of anti-
scorbutic articles of diet, and these measures were effectual in restoring health.
186 of the inmates were admitted into hospital for various diseases, of whom 30
died. The death-rate was undoubtedly enhanced by the scorbutic condition alluded
to, although the deaths are recorded under different names.
In Waltair, 32 of the asylum inmates were treated in hospital, with one death
only.
In Calicut, the hospital admissions were 71 and the deaths 12. Full particulars
of the sickness and mortality will be found in Statement VIII.
14. Madras Asylum.—This asylum was under the charge of Surgeon S. L.
Dobie during the whole year.
15. Buildings.—The buildings are maintained in good repair, accommodation
for 4 lunatics of a superior class (2 males, 2 females) has been added during the
year, and covered bathing sheds are in course of erection. Quarters for Assistant
Matron and Assistant European Warders are still required.
16. The Superintendent brings to notice the defective arrangements for wash-
ing clothing. I shall shortly submit to Government a proposition for working
a laundry on the asylum premises. In my view, institutions of this kind should be,
as far as possible, self-supporting in such matters.
17. The subordinate establishment of the asylum has been unchanged, and the
duties have been very efficiently discharged.
18. Surgeon Dobie is in favour of allowing lunatics almost unrestricted liberty,
and finds them more manageable under this system than by any form of restraint.
The asylum grounds are large, and if, the soil was suitable, which it is not, I
should advocate a much more extended system of out-door employment in farming
and gardening. The garden at present supplies a fair proportion of the vegetables
used, but, with good soil and a supply of water, more might be done in this direction.
The asylum has been frequently inspected by myself, and is visited monthly
by two of the official visitors, whose remarks and suggestions are sent at once to
Government for orders.
19. Waltair.—The asylum at this station was under the charge of the Acting
Civil Surgeon, A. N. Rogers-Harrison, M.D., for nearly the whole of the official year.
The inmates were unusally healthy.
I inspected the asylum in March 1883 and submitted special recommendations
in regard to the repair of the buildings and improvement of the establishment.
20. The medical officer reports favorably of the new scale of diet, and the
lunatics were mostly in good physical condition when I inspected them.
21. Assistant Apothecary White was in subordinate charge of the asylum, and
conducted his duties very efficiently.
22. Calicut.—This asylum was under the supervision of Surgeon H. D. Cook,
M.B., assisted by Second-class Hospital Assistant M. Lingasen, who resided on the
asylum premises and held immediate charge of the institution,
23. The buildings have been maintained in fair order. The asphalte flooring
of the wards and verandahs require renewal in several places, and the wall of the
female enclosure requires to be extended, so as to shut it off from the male portion
of the asylum. Government will be addressed separately on this matter.
24. I inspected the asylum in October 1882. It has reached almost its maxi-
mum number of patients.
The official visitors pay monthly visits of inspection.
25. Finance.— Owing to an increase of 12 per cent. on the daily average