ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
(5) Rs. 50 has been sanctioned as a permanent advance for sanitary and
other contingencies, under G.O., No. 917-A, Financial, dated 23rd November 1895,
The recommendations of the Superintendent to have lines built for sweepers
on the same plan as those of the native attendants have been sanctioned by Govern-
ment in its Order No. 109, Judicial, dated 17th January 1896, referred to above.
The recommendation for the erection of three day sheds, the roofing in of the
kitchen court yard, the appointment of a second assistant steward are still under
consideration, the proposal to provide the native attendants with uniforms at
Government expense has not been sanctioned by Government. The Superintend-
ent expresses great regret at the refusal of Government to sanction this last
recommendation as he says, it will interfere with the enforcement of proper
discipline.
The recommendation of the Superintendent of the Calicut Asylum to have
huts erected for boties and to construct a new kitchen is at present under reference.
(13) Re-organization of lunatic asylums.—The Hemp Drug Commission in their
notes on the administration of the Lunatic Asylums in India pointed out certain
defects, which, with the remarks of the Surgeon-General with the Government of
India, were communicated to me in G.O., No. 860, Judicial, dated 26th April 1895
for my remarks. I have, in consultation with the several officers who had been
superintendents of the asylum in this Presidency at one time or another and the
superintendents in charge, submitted a report in my letter No. T-536, dated 3rd
August 1895.
(14) Inspection.—I visited the asylum at Vizagapatam on the 9th January
1896, and entered the following remarks in the visitor's book:—
" Much pleased with the general good order and careful management. The
general health of the inmates is very good, only two males on the sick list out of
sixty insanes. Their general condition shows that great care has been exercised
in feeding them. The garden is kept in an admirable condition and the patients
are employed in a very suitable manner. The hospital requires equipment up to
the scale sanctioned for the Madras Asylum, if provision for this is not made in
the current budget it should be done in the next one. More shelves are required
in the different store-rooms. A zinc cover is required for the table in the mor-
tuary. The isolation rooms in the hospital should not be used as store-rooms. As
regards the kitchen .which is useless and unfit for the purpose, application should
be made to the Public Works Department for an estimate and plan on the standard
laid down for jails. The old hospital latrine should be adapted as a fuel store-room.
Female sick can be dealt with either in one of their own cells or in one of the
isolated rooms in the hospital. A wall round the garden is very desirable. Another
cell for female violent cases should be requisitioned for. The inner wall of the
criminal enclosure might be removed and the ward adapted for private paying
patients. Provision must be made in the budget for the amusements of patients if
necessary."
The Madras Asylum was visited by me on several occasions and I entered the
following remarks in the visitor's book on 13th September 1895 :—
" Total inmates 459. The barracks and grounds are in good order. The
suggestion of the Inspector-General of Prisons regarding the weighment statement
will be adopted in the revised form. All who are found to be steadily losing
weight are to be admitted into hospital."
The Calicut Asylum was visited by me on the 29th February 1896, when I
entered the following remarks in the visitor's book:—
" Visited the asylum with the Superintendent. General sanitary state of asylum
satisfactory. Some repairs and a latrine for the hospital are required, but have been
postponed pending orders from Government. The patients look well and appear to
be carefully looked after. The mortality last year (14) was high, but only three
of them were from so-called preventible diseases. A chimney and fire place are
required in the kitchen. I would like to see the garden work extended until the
whole of the supplies of the vegetables and fruits are produced locally. Population
to day males 75 and females 27, sick males 18 and females 4."
(15) Code.—During the year under report the asylum code has been completed
and submitted to Government for approval.