6
ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.
their other clothes may be kept dry for the night. I do not consider this necessary;
if any of the patients' clothes are wet before they are turned in at night they should
be replaced by dry ones. In Calicut those who were weakly were provided with
cumbly jackets during the monsoon. In the Madras Asylum, the clothing is usually
sufficient—being of cotton—with woollen cumblies for nights. Considering the
delicacy of insane patients the Superintendent thinks it would be well to give
them a flannel waist-coat or jersey for night and early morning use from a fixed
date, say October 15th to January 31st, as it would prevent many coming to
hospital with bronchitis, pneumonia and diarrhœa during the wet and cold months.
Such an issue to the patients requiring it I consider would be very advisable in the
three asylums and I have directed him to make a separate representation on the
subject.
(g) Industries and employments.—In Vizagapatam the employments have
been gardening, farming, cloth and tape weaving, cleaning and pounding grain,
breaking stones for the asylum road and for the foundation of the office building;
80.45 per cent. of the patients were employed throughout the year; the hours
were from 7 to 10 A.M. and from 2 to 5 P.M. A large portion of the patients in
Calicut was employed in manufactures, in road-making, cleaning the asylum
compound, drawing and carrying water, picking up leaves, &c, the latter work
being done by the weakly patients; a few assisted in cooking; the females
were employed in threshing, twisting coir, spinning thread and pounding rice, &c.;
a certain number of males and females did tailoring work. The chief industries
in the Madras Asylum have been weaving of cloths and cumblies, growing of
vegetables for asylum use, straw hat-making and mat-plaiting to a limited extent.
Oakum picking was introduced for the first time during the year and has given
large employment to many ; it appears suitable and has proved remunerative. A
large number have been employed in the pounding and cleaning of grain, lamp-
cleaning, sweeping, lighting, garden work and some as orderlies.
(h) Amusements.—No funds are available for amusements in the asylum
at Vizagapatam; the usual Christmas treat was given by the Superintendent.
Some native gentlemen officials and others, who have visited the asylum, have at
times sent presents of sweetmeats and fruits for the inmates. Some vernacular
books were provided for those who can read. In Calicut treats were given on
Hindu festival days and for Christians on Christmas day which were highly appre-
ciated by them. All insanes are allowed to amuse themselves from 10 to 2 daily as
well as they can and are provided with a country drum and sticks for the game
called 'Kolatum.' In Madras periodical monthly treats were given ; the Superin-
tendent proposes that there should be more intercourse with the world outside
for many patients who would of course have to be selected; this he considers
could be done by driving more of them to the beach and by allowing them to mix
with or at least see the more cheerful side of life outside the asylum.
I concur to a large extent in these opinions; it is in the power of each
Superintendent to carry out such means of treatment as he considers desirable and,
if necessary, to propose in the budget each year any expenditure that may be
absolutely necessary.
(i) Recommendations made and their results.—For the asylum at Calicut,
recommendations are reported to have been made regarding the iron gratings over
the wells ; for the extension of the drainage system to the hospital and refractory
sheds and for the raising of the latrine floors; the well work is in progress ; the
plans and estimates for the others are reported to be under preparation by the
Public Works Department. As regards the Madras Asylum all its requirements
are now under report in accordance with G.O., No. 3212, Judicial, dated 28th
December 1894.
5. ASYLUM POPULATION—(a) Remaining.—Five hundred and eighty-four insanes
remained under treatment on the 1st January 1894.
(b) Admissions and re-admissions.—There were 216 admissions and 6 re-
admissions, making a total during the year of 222.
(c) Discharges of all kinds.—The discharges of all kinds during the year
numbered 119.