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ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
In the annual report for last year I had to give an unfavorable account of the
two Head Attendants and the Native Warders. When I took over charge of the
asylum I found the Head Attendants bore good characters, and the Native Warders
for the first time for many years were well spoken of. This improvement in the
conduct of the Native Warders had evidently been of very short duration, for in the
report for 1878-79 I find my predecessor, after holding the post of Superintendent
for five years, had nothing better to report than the following :—
" Of the Native Warders I can only name two in terms of commendation. On
the remainder no reliance can be placed. They only work well when under the
eye of a superior." The Night Watchmen are also said to " require to be constantly
looked after. I regret that I am unable to say anything in their favor." I am
sorry to say that this would equally apply to nearly all of them at the present time.
There are only some six warders, whom I consider really trustworthy. I still
believe, as I stated in last year's report, that the two Head Attendants—Bruce and
Coleman—are much to blame for the unsatisfactory manner in which the warders
perform their duties. They both complain that their work is harder than formerly,
as I have refused to allow a number of so-called " troublesome " patients to be put
into what is known as the " noisy enclosure. " I consider the number of warders
is quite sufficient for the care of the patients, if they only do their work properly,
and that it is not necessary to confine patients to this enclosure, besides being
objectionable in many ways.
Formerly the boundary fence of the asylum was much broken down by cattle
and trespassers, but it is now in thorough repair. I receive a report daily in
writing from one of the Head Attendants that he has examined it, and, when neces-
sary, a party is told off to fill any gaps, so that there is now no excuse for allowing
patients to escape.
Mr. Hardaker has been the Apothecary of this asylum for more than five years.
He is kind to the patients, takes an interest in their employment, and manages the
Weaving Department. My predecessor had a very high opinion of him. He is
not sufficiently strict with the attendants, nor as prompt in bringing irregularities
to my notice as he should be.
Mr. Jones, the Junior Apothecary, has worked well. He is very careful in
carrying out instructions and in attending to the feeding of the sick—a point of
much importance in the treatment of insanes, who are unable to complain of
neglect and who may easily be deprived of their food by their attendants.
Matron.—Mrs. Hennon performs her duties well. She has now more than
seventy patients to look after, and of these twenty-seven are Europeans. I think
she should be allowed an assistant, as she cannot be expected to remain always on
duty, and the only person to take her place is the Head Ayah—a woman whose pay
is Rupees 8 per mensem, and who cannot speak anything but Tamil.
First-class Warder Fowler is in charge of the criminal enclosure. He
works steadily and is always ready to take in hand any new work that is proposed.
He is on duty from 6 A.M. to 6 P.M. daily, and every other night he sleeps in the
asylum, and is supposed to go night rounds. He lives outside the asylum. His
pay is Rs. 15 per mensem.
First-class Warder Muriel is in charge of the idiot enclosure. His hours
of duty and his pay are the same as Fowler's, but the patients under his care are
easily managed, as they are mostly idiots and old demented persons, who merely
require to be kept clean and fed. He is kind to his patients, but he is getting too
old now for his work.
Steward.—The Steward has given me satisfaction.
Assistant Steward.—The Assistant Steward is very careless, and I have been
obliged to fine him frequently for neglecting his duties in the kitchen.
Writer.—The Writer is regular in attendance and does his work well. He
writes a very neat hand, as may be seen from the writing in this report. He
deserves a better appointment than his present one of Rs. 15 per mensem.
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