TRIENNIAL REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS*
13. SANITATION—(1) Conservancy.—The dry-earth system is satisfactorily
carried out in all the three asylums ; the night-soil is deposited in shallow trenches
and utilized as manure.
(2) General Hygiene.—The arrangements for the ventilation and cleanliness
of buildings are satisfactory ; particular attention is paid to bathing, clothing, food
and exercise. As in previous years, rice was the staple food in Madras and
Calicut, whereas cholam and cumboo were used in Vizagapatam. Fortnightly
weighments were made throughout the year.
(3) Drainage.—In Vizagapatam and Calicut the drainage is natural and
satisfactory. In Madras the improvement sanctioned in CO., No. 1485, Public,
dated 8th December 1898, yet remains to be carried out.
(4) Water-supply.—The Madras Asylum has an ample supply of lied Hills
water for drinking, cooking, and bathing purposes, in addition to which there are
five wells—the water from which is in constant use tor agricultural and washing-
purposes. In Vizagapatam during 1900 and 1901 water had to be carted from
outside as the well in the asyli\m compound had run dry. A new well has now been
•constructed in the golf-links on a site kindly given by the Maharaj (i. X. Gaja-
pathi ROAV, O.I.E. This well contains <rood water and is not likely to run dry
during the hot season. In Calicut the supply of water for drinking and cooking
purposes is adequate and good.
14. INDUSTRIES AND EMPLOYMENTS.—The chief forms of employment wore
gardening, weaving, dairy-farming, sewing, knitting, tape-making and coir-twisting.
Insanes were also employed in helping to grind and prepare rice and other
grains, in carrying water, sweeping the premises, and in assisting the tailors, carpen-
ters, blacksmiths, cooks and dhobies.
15. AMUSEMENTS.—In Madras periodical sports were hold when tea, and
fruits were distributed. Gramaphone concerts, Punch and Judy shows, and Mario-
nette entertainments were also given and were much appreciated. The Officer
Commanding the Madras Railway Volunteers very kindly lent the services of his
band free of charge. There was a special treat at Christmas when presents were
given and plum-pudding, cakes, sweets and fruits were distributed. In Vizaga-
patam the usual annual treat consisting of a special meal with sweets and fruits was
given by Maharaja Sir G. N. Gajapathi Row, ice.I.E. Throughout the year every
Saturday afternoon, a Brahmin priest and a barber amused the inmates by playing
tom-tom,, cymhals, and singing ; cards and chess were also provided. Selected
patients are sent out regularly for walks and are occasionally taken to native
dramatic performances. In Calient, the amusements were of various kinds as in
previous years. Periodicals were sent for the use of the inmates by the Managers
of the West Coast Spectator, Manorama and Karalctchaiidrika,
16. MEDICAL—(1) Sickness and .causes.— The average daily sick of the three
asylums during the year under review was 47*91 as compared with 61'22 in J901
and 74*22 in 1900. The principal causes were malarial fevers, mania, epilepsy,
tubercle, surfeit, dysentery, diarrhoea and worms. Diarrhoea and dysentery are
very common, especially among such as are given to eating all sorts of dirt.
Cases of tubercle are kept in the open air as much as possible. Three eases of
leprosy in the early stage are inmates of the Madras Asylum.
(2) Mortality and its causes.—-The total number of deaths was 15 as compared
with 53 in 1901 and 49 in 1900, with a percentage mortality calculated on the daily
average strength of 7'7(>, 9*42 and 8"9S respectively. As usual, Madras returns the
highest death-rate (9'GG), Calicut coming second (4'97) and Yizagapatam third
(l'82)i Taking the mean mortality from 1890 to L89* the same order is main
tained. Madras leads with 14'07, Calicut being next with 18*37 and Yizngapatan
last with fi'87.
The chief causes of mortality in 1902 were tubercle of lung, dementia,
epilepsy, dysentery and valvular disease of heart. As usual, tubercle of the lunk-
heads the list. Epilepsy and dementia also showed an upward tendency as
Oomp&rod with the previous two years.
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