NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
OFFICE OF SURGEON-GENERAL
WITH THE GOVT. OF MADRAS,
MADRAS, 21st March 1894.
No. 261.
From
SURGEON-MAJOR-GENERAL W. F. DEFABECK, M.D.,
Surgeon-General with the Government of Madras,
Madras,
To
THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
SIR,
I HAVE the honor to submit to the Right Honorable the Governor in Council
the annual report for 1893 on the Lunatic Asylums in this Presidency. The
statements in the appendix have been revised during the year and particulars of
the different kinds of lunatics in confinement given in the body of the report in
accordance with the directions in the foot-note in Statement II of the revised form
communicated with G.O., No. 1601 of 11th August 1893.
2. ACCOMMODATION.—Judging from the maximum number of insanes confined at
each of the asylums, the accommodation during the year was ample. In Madras
at the rate of 60 superficial feet for a European and 45 for native as per G.O.,
Mis. No. 1920 of 23rd July 1885, there was space enough for 711 insanes, while
the largest number confined in the asylum on any one day was 462, viz., males 352
and females 110. Similarly in Waltair and Calicut there was accommodation for
68 and 135 insanes against 47 and 88—the highest number in the asylums on any
one day.
3. BUILDINGS.—In the year under report the buildings in all the asylums were
maintained in a fair state of preservation and certain additions made to the Madras
Asylum. The boundary wall, the absence of which afforded much facilities for
escapes, &c., and the native attendants' lines consisting of 75 huts have been con-
structed, and the new store-room for the store-keeper's department partially
finished. The drainage question remained unsettled during the year, although
there was generally an agreement in the mode of drainage in the scheme then
under consideration, there was difference of opinion on its final disposal. The
Acting Sanitary Commissioner, however, had some doubts as to the suitability of
the scheme itself. To arrive, therefore, at a more practical and suitable scheme, a
Committee has been appointed composed of the
Sanitary Commissioner,
Consulting Architect and the
Superintendent of the Asylum,
and, it is hoped, that a better scheme will be suggested at an early date.
The question of constructing day sheds for feeding patients is still under con-
sideration, and I hope soon to address Government separately on the subject.
The additions made in the other two asylums consisted of a store-room in
each. In Waltair one was newly constructed, while in Calicut two of the cells in
the criminal enclosure were converted for the purpose.
4. GENERAL RESULTS.—The population of the three asylums on the 1st day of
January 1893 was 552 (407 males and 145 females), during the year 211 cases
were either admitted or re-admitted, so that the total population for the year was
4
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
763 against 837 in 1892. The details regarding admissions, discharges, &c., are
noted in the following abstract with corresponding figures for the previous year:—
Remained .. .. .. .. .. ..
Admitted and re-admitted .. .. .. ..
Total population .. .. .. .. ..
Discharged .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Died .. .. .. .. .. ..
Remaining .. .. .. .. .. ..
Daily average strength .. .. .. ..
Daily average sick .. .. .. .. ..
Percentage of cures to average strength ..
Do.
of cures to admissions .. ..
Do.
of deaths to average strength ..
Do.
of deaths to admissions .. ..
1892.
592
245
837
181
104
552
570.64
53.78
13.49
31.43
18.22
42.5
1893.
552
211
763
113
66
584
564.3
108.08
11.9
3128
11.9
31.8
It will be seen from the above results that there has been an appreciable
decrease in the death-rate owing chiefly to the perfect immunity from epidemic
cholera enjoyed by the asylums and to the early segregation and liberal treatment
of the weakly and scorbutic cases. The percentage of cures to daily average
strength shows a small falling off chiefly due to the presence of old and chronic
cases in the asylum. The proportion of cures to newly admitted cases was almost
the same as in previous year, being 31.28 against 31.43 in 1892.
The cause of increase in the daily average sick is explained later on under
'sickness and mortality.'
Of the 113 cases shown as discharged during the year, 66 insanes completely
recovered, 24 showed signs of improvement and were transferred to the care of
their friends. The number discharged without any improvement was compara-
tively few.
Of the 20 cases returned as discharged otherwise 3 escaped and 11 were
transferred to England.
The number of deaths recorded during the year was 66; this includes the 2
cases of suicide in the Madras Asylum and an equal number of accident cases in
Calicut.
The following table gives the percentage of deaths to the total treated for some
of the important forms of lunacy :—
Types of Insanity.
Melancholia .. .. .. .. .. ..
Dementia
..
..
..
..
..
Epileptic insanity
..
..
..
..
Total
treated.
496
87
80
41
Total
deaths.
39
6
14
6
Percentage
to total
treated.
7.86
6.90
17.50
14.63
It will be seen from the above that mania was more readily amenable to treat-
ment and less fatal, while its sequolæ dementia and the other form of mental disorder,
viz., epileptic insanity contributed in larger proportion towards the mortality
during the year.
5. Religion, sex, residence, occupation and age of the insanes admitted during
the year are shown in Statements III, IV and V, viz., 139 were Hindus (116 males
and 23 females), 45 Christians (30 Europeans and 15 Natives), 26 Muhammadans and
and 1 of other caste.
As usual the proportion of females to total admissions has been small. This
does not appear to be entirely due to the caste restrictions of the natives, who, as a
class, have general aversion to their females being sent to be treated in a public
asylum, but also to the fact of women being less liable to insanity.
14
APPENDIX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
STATEMENT No. III—continued.
Return showing the Religion, Sex and Residence of Patients admitted into the Lunatic Asylums in the Madras
Presidency during the year 1893—continued.
1
Districts.
2
Christians.
Europeans and
Eurasians.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Natives.
Males.
Females.
Total.
3
Hindus.
Males.
Females.
Total.
4
Muhammadans.
Males.
Females.
Total.
5
Other Castes.
Males.
Females.
Total.
6
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
VIZAGAPATAM.
Ganjám ... ... ...
Gódávari ... ... ...
Kistna ... ... ...
Vizagapatam ... ...
Total ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
1
4
1
6
12
...
...
...
1
1
1
4
1
7
13
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
1
4
1
8
14
1
...
...
1
2
CALICUT.
Berhampur ... ...
Coimbatore ... ...
Malabar ... ...
Not known ... ...
N. Hindustan ... ...
Tinnevelly
...
...
South Canara ... ...
Total ...
Grand Total ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
20
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
10
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
30
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
1
7
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
2
8
...
1 1
...
...
1
...
3
15
1
...
14
...
1
...
1
17
116
...
...
2
1
...
...
...
3
23
1
...
16
1
1
...
1
20
139
...
...
5
...
...
...
...
5
24
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
5
...
...
...
...
5
26
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
1
...
19
...
1
1
1
23
168
...
1
3
1
...
...
...
5
43
22
28
211
16
APPENDIX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
STATEMENT No. V.
Return showing the Ages of Patients admitted into the Lunatic Asylums in the
Madras Presidency during the year 1893.
1
Name of Asylum.
Madras
...
...
Vizagapatam ...
Calicut
...
...
Total ...
2
Under 20 years.
Males.
3
...
...
3
Females.
1
...
1
2
Total.
4
...
1
5
3
20 to 40.
Males.
106
11
17
134
Females.
22
1
2
25
Total.
128
12
19
159
4
40 to 60.
Males.
21
3
6
30
Females.
11
1
2
14
Total.
32
4
8
44
5
Upwards of 60
years.
Males.
1
...
...
1
Females.
2
...
...
2
Total.
3
...
...
3
6
Total.
Males
131
14
23
168
Females.
36
2
5
43
Total.
167
16
28
211
27
APPENDIX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
STATEMENT No. VIII—continued.
Return of Sick in the Hospitals of the Lunatic Asylums for the year 1893—continued.
1
Diseases.
2
Remaining
in hospital
from the
previous
year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
3
Admitted
during the
year.
Males.
Females.
Total.
4
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
5
Results.
Discharged
'cured.'
Males.
Females.
Total.
Discharged
'otherwise.'
Males.
Females.
Total.
Died.
Males.
Females.
Total.
6
Re-
maining
sick.
Males.
Females.
Total.
CALICUT -continued.
II—LOCAL DISEASES—cont.
Diseases of the Respiratory
Organs.
338. Bronchitis ... ... ...
349. Pneumonia ... ... ...
353. Abscess of lungs
...
...
357. Chronic pneumonia, phthisis.
Diseases of the Digestive System.
452. Dyspepsia ... ... ...
473. Diarrhœa ... ... ...
490. Congestion of liver ... ...
492. Chronic hepatitis ... ...
499. Jaundice
...
...
...
Diseases of Kidney.
550. Dropsy ... ... ...
551. Bright's disease ... ...
Diseases of Organs of Locomotion.
760. Chronic synovitis ... ...
Diseases of Cellular Tissue.
812. Abscess ... ... ...
Diseases of Cellular
Skin.
854. Senile gangrene ... ...
Accidents.
1121. Contusion of back ...
1173. Fracture of ulna
...
...
1055. Fracture of base
of skull.
1158. Fracture of base
pelvis.
Caused
from acci-
dentally
drowning.
Total ...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
6
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
6
1
1
1
...
1
8
...
...
2
2
1
...
1
...
1
1
1
1
56
...
...
...
...
...
6
1
1
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
25
1
1
1
...
1
14
1
1
2
4
1
...
1
...
1
1
1
1
81
1
1
1
1
1
8
...
1
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
62
...
...
...
...
...
6
1
1
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
25
1
1
1
1
1
14
1
2
2
4
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
87
1
1
...
...
1
6
...
...
2
1
1
1
1
...
1
1
...
...
43
...
...
...
...
...
6
1
...
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
21
1
1
...
...
1
12
1
...
2
3
1
1
1
...
1
1
...
...
64
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
1
1
...
1
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
...
1
1
13
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
1
1
...
1
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
1
...
...
1
1
15
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
3
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2
...
...
...
...
...
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
5
28
APPENDIX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
STATEMENT No. IX.
Showing the Cash Account of the Lunatic Asylums for the year 1893.
Asylums.
1
Madras ... ... ...
Vizagapatam ... ... ...
Calicut ... ... ...
Total ...
Receipts.
Received
from
Treasury.
2
Rs.
(a) 80,603
(a) 4,902
(a) 11,589
97,094
A.
7
3
4
15
P.
5
4
11
8
Received
from paying
patients.
3
Rs.
7,213
47
126
7,387
A.
12
0
5
1
P.
2
0
0
2
Value of Stores
received from the
manufacturing
department.
4
Rs.
(b) 6,467
(b) 457
(b) 967
7,892
A.
13
0
3
0
P.
7
0
1
8
Book receipts,
i.e., the total
of expenditure
entered in
Columns 19,
20, and 21.
5
Rs.
30,600
715
685
32,001
A.
6
0
14
5
P.
8
3
4
3
Miscel-
laneous
receipts.
6
Rs.
583
A.
13
P.
5
......
10
594
7
5
10
3
Total.
7
Rs.
1,25,469
6,121
13,379
l,44,969
A.
5
3
3
12
P.
3
7
2
0
Charges.
Establishment.
Establish-
ment proper.
8
Rs.
21,420
1,789
3,267
26,477
A.
11
12
4
13
P.
11
10
9
6
Superin-
tendence.
9
Rs.
9,476
600
600
10,676
A.
3
0
0
3
P.
10
0
0
10
Diet.
10
Rs.
39,004
1,446
5,139
45,590
A.
2
12
8
7
P.
10
5
4
7
Clothing
and bed-
ding.
11
Rs.
6,625
58
489
7,172
A.
2
4
2
8
P.
6
0
0
6
Asylums.
Madras ...
Vizagapatam ...
Calicut ...
Total ...
Charges—continued.
Bazaar
medicines.
12
Rs.
24
0
71
95
A.
0
0
11
12
P.
9
6
6
9
Contingencies.
Contin-
gencies
proper.
13
Rs.
1,545
111
294
1,951
A.
8
14
6
13
P.
10
5
3
6
Repairs
and
mainte-
nance.
14
Rs.
78
160
506
744
A.
0
0
5
5
P.
0
0
11
11
Rates and
Taxes.
15
Rs.
1,677
A.
8
P.
0
......
0
1,678
13
5
6
6
Remitted to
Treasury on
account of
paying
patients,
&c.
16
Rs.
8,305
296
807
9,411
A.
12
10
15
7
P.
3
11
11
1
Miscellaneous
items.
17
Rs.
(c) 6,122
(c) 175
(c) 1,018
7,316
A.
8
14
2
9
P.
3
7
4
2
Total of columns
8—17.
18
Rs.
94,280
4,639
12,195
1,11,115
A.
11
5
6
7
P.
2
8
6
4
Book charges.
Charges on ac-
count of work
done by Public
Works Depart-
ment.
19
Rs.
29,633
539
445
30,618
A.
12
5
0
2
P.
10
9
0
7
Cost of
Printed
forms and
stationery.
20
Rs.
81
9
51
142
A.
8
6
6
4
P.
4
2
1
7
Cost of English
Stores and
medicines, &c.
21
Rs.
885
166
189
1,240
A.
1
4
8
14
P.
6
4
3
1
Total of columns
18—21.
22
Rs.
1,24,881
(d) 588
5,354
(d)
766
12,881
(d)
497
1,43,116
(d) 1,852
A.
1
3
5
13
4
14
12
15
P.
10
5
11
8
10
4
7
5
(a) Includes value of articles in store on the last day of 1892.
(b) Include cash paid into Treasury for articles sold—vide columns 3 and 4 of Statement XI.
(c) Includes the cost of raw materials purchased for the use of the manufacturing department.
(d) Value of grains, &c, on hand on 31st December 1893.
APPENDIX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
29
STATEMENT No. IX-A.
Abstract of Cash Account as per G.O., dated 12th August 1893, No. 1344, Judicial, and Statement of Stores as per G.O., dated 25th October 1893, No. 2228, Judicial.
Asylums.
Madras ...
Vizagapatam ...
Calicut ...
(a)
Establishment.
Total cost.
Rs.
30,896
2,389
3,867
A.
15
12
4
P.
9
10
9
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
Rs.
70
58
45
A.
6
2
13
P.
1
7
8
(b)
Diet.
Total cost.
Rs.
39,004
1,446
5,139
A.
2
12
8
P.
10
5
4
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
Rs.
88
35
60
A.
13
3
15
P.
7
4
0
(c)
Clothing and Bedding.
Total cost.
Rs.
6,625
58
489
A.
2
4
2
P.
6
0
0
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
Rs.
15
1
5
A.
1
6
12
P.
5
8
9
(d)
Medicines.
*
Total cost.
Rs.
909
166
261
A.
2
4
3
P.
3
10
9
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
Rs.
2
4
3
A.
1
0
1
P.
2
9
6
(e)
Contingencies.
Total cost.
Rs.
3,382
281
852
A.
9
4
15
P.
2
7
9
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
Rs.
7
6
10
A.
11
13
1
P.
3
6
10
(f)
Grand Total.
Total cost.
Rs.
80,818
4,342
10,610
A.
0
6
2
P.
6
8
7
Cost per
head of
average
strength.
Rs.
184
105
125
A.
1
10
12
P.
6
10
9
(g)
Value of stores intended for
consumption including fire-
wood, lamp-oil, &c., and
excluding all goods manu-
factured in the asylum.
At the
beginning of
the year.
Rs.
441
360
197
A.
9
3
13
P.
2
1
11
At the end
of the year.
Rs.
588
766
497
A.
3
13
14
P.
5
8
4
(a) Vide columns 8 and 9 of Statement IX.
(d) Vide columns 12 and 21 of Statement IX.
(b) Vide column 10 of
do.
(e) Vide columns 13, 14, 15 and 20 of Statement IX.
(c) Vide column 11 of
do.
* Represents the cost of bazaar and European medicines exclusive of hospital necessaries included in column 17 of Statement IX.
8
APPENDIX TO ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
31
STATEMENT No. XI.
Showing Receipts and Expenditure on account of the Manufactures in the Lunatic Asylums during the year 1893.
1
Asylums.
Madras ... ... ...
Vizagapatam ... ...
Calicut ... ... ...
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Credits.
Mean Population.
Males.
333.67
28.19
60.30
Females.
105.33
12.90
24.04
Total.
439.00
41.09
84.34
Cash paid into
treasury for
articles sold.
Rs.
1,093
249
671
A
0
10
3
P.
1
11
1
Value of
manufactured
goods made
over to asylums
for asylum
purposes.
Rs.
5,374
207
296
A.
13
5
0
P.
6
1
0
Value of raw
materials in
store at the
end of the
year.
Rs.
291
82
14
A.
5
2
11
P.
6
9
0
Value of
manufactured
goods in store
at the end of
the year.
Rs.
6,510
5
78
A.
15
2
4
P.
8
0
0
Value of
plant and
machinery in
store at the
end of the year.
Rs.
452
19
22
A.
3
7
4
P.
0
6
1
Total Credits.
Rs.
13,722
563
1,082
A.
5
12
6
P.
9
3
2
Value of
manufactured
goods in store
on 1st January
1893.
Rs.
7,100
5
10
A.
11
10
13
P.
6
4
0
Asylums.
Madras (a)
...
...
...
Vizagapatam (b)
...
...
Calicut (c)
...
...
...
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
Debits.
Value of
raw materials
in store on
1st January 1893.
Rs.
661
4
22
A.
15
4
10
P.
11
0
0
Value of
plant and
machinery in
store on
1st January 1893.
Rs.
452
17
31
A.
3
10
11
P.
0
0
0
Raw materials
purchased.
Rs.
*3,276
165
367
A.
13
14
5
P.
0
6
10
Contingencies of
manufacture.
Rs.
A. P.
......
9
105
0
4
1
6
Other
charges.
Rs.
A. P.
......
......
......
Total Debits.
Rs.
11,491
202
537
A.
11
6
12
P.
5
11
4
Excess
of Credits or
Profits.
Rs.
2,230
361
544
A.
10
5
9
P.
4
4
10
Excess
of Debits or
Loss.
Rs.
A. P.
......
......
......
Remarks.
(a) The average number of inmates employed during the year on manufacture—
Males ...
Females ...
Total ...
218
55
273
(b) The average number of inmates employed during the year on manufacture were 22.
(c) Daily average number employed on manufacture—
Males ...
Females ...
Total ...
16.90
7.49
24.39
* Includes Rs. 727-2-0 drawn for cumbly-weaving.
18TH MAY 1894, Nos. 1190, 1191, JUDICIAL.
GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS.
JUDICIAL
DEPARTMENT.
READ—the following paper:—
From the Surgeon-General, dated 14th April 1894, No. 329.
ORDER—dated 18th May 1894, No. 1190, Judicial.
The report on the administration of Lunatic Asylums during 1893 calls for the
following remarks.
2. Particulars regarding the population of the three asylums appear below:—
Year.
1889
..
..
..
..
..
..
1890
..
..
..
..
..
..
1891
..
..
..
..
..
..
1892
..
..
..
..
..
..
1893
..
..
..
..
..
..
Number
admitted.
145
197
213
245
211
Total
population.
792
829
810
837
763
Daily average
strength.
643.26
620.17
613.59
570.64
564.43
Percentage of
deaths to daily
average strength.
7.92
18.38
18.57
18.22
11.69
The great decrease in the death-rate is the most noticeable feature of this state-
ment ; but, satisfactory as this decrease is, a mortality amounting to nearly 12 per cent.
must be regarded as unduly high in a year during which not a single death from
cholera occurred. The death-rate varied between 2.43 per cent, at Waltair and
17.79 per cent. at Calicut, Madras showing 11.38 per cent. At Madras there were
no deaths from dysentery against 13 in 1892—a somewhat remarkable fact for
which no reason has been assigned. On the other hand, there were nine deaths from
diarrhœa and no fewer than 18 from debility. The Government desires to have
the Surgeon-General's opinion as to the probable cause of the large number of deaths
under this last head. The sanitary condition of the Vizagapatam Asylum seems to be
most satisfactory, only one death having taken place and that being due to no pre-
ventible disease. The death-rate at Calicut was high and there is reason to suspect
a lack of promptitude in dealing with cases of sickness. Deducting two accidental
deaths, the mortality at Calicut amounted to 15.4 per cent. of the average daily
strength, while the sick rate was only 9.6 per cent. In the Madras Asylum, on the
other hand, the death-rate and sick-rate were, respectively, 11.38 and 21.2 per cent.
The Surgeon-General will report on this point. If deaths from dysentery, debility,
pneumonia and diarrhœa only be taken into account, the mortality in all the asylums
taken together amounted to 6-9 per cent, of the daily average strength—a rate which,
though still high, compares favorably with the corresponding figures for 1892
(8.3 per cent.) and 1891 (13.1 per cent.). The occurrence of two cases of suicide at
the Madras Asylum does not seem to have been previously reported to Government.
A remarkable feature of the year under review is the daily average sick-rate, which
4
18TH
MAY
1894,
Nos.
1190,
1191,
JUDICIAL.
observed that the institution at Waltair is spoken of, indifferently, as " the Waltair
Asylum " and " the Vizagapatam Asylum." This may lead to misunderstanding on the
part of persons who are not acquainted with this Presidency and one or other name
(preferably the latter) should be adopted and adhered to.
(True Extract.)
J. F. PRICE,
Chief Secretary.
To the Surgeon-General.
„ District Magistrate, Vizagapatam.
„
„
„
Malabar.
„ Sanitary Commissioner.
„ Inspector-General of Jails.
Editors' Table.
ENDORSEMENT—dated 18th May 1894, No. 1191, Judicial.
Copy to the Government of India, Home Department.
J. F. PRICE,
Chief Secretary.
Exd. A. Raitt
ANNUAL REPORT
ON THE
LUNATIC ASYLUMS
IN THE
MADRAS PRESIDENCY
FOR THE YEAR
1894.
MADRAS:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRESS.
1895.
OFFICE OF SURGEON-GENERAL
WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF MADRAS,
MADRAS, 9th April 1895.
No. 353-A.
From
SURGEON-MAJOR-GENERAL C. SIBTHORPE, F.R.C.P.I.,
Surgeon-General with the Government of Madras,
Madras,
To
THE HON'BLE THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT.
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to submit to the Right Honourable the Governor in Council
the annual report for 1894 on the Lunatic Asylums in the Presidency. In Decem-
ber last I issued orders to the three Superintendents to submit their administration
reports in the same form under the following heads which include all questions of
administration concerning the asylums.
2. ACCOMMODATION.—There was no over-crowding in any of the asylums through-
out the year. In Vizagapatam and Calicut there was accommodation for 68 and
135 insanes against 53 and 105 which were the highest numbers in the asylums
on any one day. The accommodation in the Madras Asylum was ample accord-
ing to the requirements of G.O., Mis. No. 1920, dated 23rd July 1885 except in the
criminal enclosure on which a separate representation is now under the consider-
ation of Government.
3. BUILDINGS—(a) Repairs executed.—No repairs were carried out in Vizaga-
patam. The usual minor repairs were made whenever necessary in Calicut. In
Madras, the isolation block for natives in the female enclosure was rebuilt for the
greater part in consequence of the sinking of the foundations of the forepart of
the building; an additional iron door and ceilings to four of the superior cottages
were put up; no general repairs were executed during the year. It is most
desirable that such annual repairs should be carried out systematically and I have
directed the Superintendents to submit the necessary requisitions on the 1st of
April each year.
(b) State of repair.—In Vizagapatam the kitchen and the female cells
require repair and the roofs of some of the cottages should be retiled; white-
washing and bluewashing are required throughout the asylum. In Calicut the
main buildings are in a fair state of repair; the present office building was con-
demned as unsafe, and Government has sanctioned the construction of a new
building, but the work has not been commenced from want of funds; I have
represented this to the Superintending Engineer with the view of having the work
completed before the commencement of the next monsoon. In the Madras Asylum,
the estimates for repairs have already been passed by me and the repairs are being
carried out.
(c) New constructions.—In Vizagapatam the office building was rebuilt and
the road running through the asylum was remetalled and gravelled by the inmates.
In Calicut a weaving shed was constructed during the year at a cost of
Rs. 2,133-15-5 and the work of grating the wells was commenced after much
delay.
In the Madras Asylum the lines for native attendants consisting of 75 huts
and 2 latrines, the store sheds for grain and fuel, an iron portico to the Super-
intendent's house and a water-lift were completed and the work of putting up
an iron gate for the asylum main entrance was commenced and has since been
completed.