ANNUAL REPOET ON LUNATIC ASfLUMS.
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In both Vizagapatam and Calicut the conveying of water for asylum purposes
from sources outside the premises was, as already mentioned, a temporary
employment.
(4) Amusements.—In the Madras Asylum these comprised—
(a) a monthly treat at which the Madras Volunteer Guards band plays, with
permission of the Officer Commanding; light refreshments are provided ;
(b) occasional magic-lantern exhibitions with songs and dances ;
(c) a special treat at Christmas with sports, &c. ;
(d) out-door games including quoits, foot-ball and bowls; in-door games of
draughts, cards, &c, for the Europeans and other games for the natives.
The bullock-coach formerly used by the St. Mary's Church Choristers was
(by G.O., No. 847, Public, dated 4th July 1898) made over to the Superintendent,
Lunatic Asylum, Madras. A pair of bullocks had been arranged for, but had not
arrived by the end of the year.
At Vizagapatam the annual treat to the insanes was again given by Sri
Maharaja G-. N. Gajapati Rao, C.I.E., presents of fruit for the inmates were sent by
the Raja of Kurapam. Singing and native music, chess and cards formed daily
amusements. On one occasion an acrobatic performance was given free by some
travelling performers ; and on another some selected inmates were sent out to
witness a native drama.
In the Calicut Asylum the inmates were daily permitted to play at native
games (chess, kolatam, &c.) from 10 to 12 A.M., the rearing of domestic pets
(birds, squirrels, a cat and a monkey) was permitted to those whose bent in that
direction could safely be indulged ; and some of the well-behaved were taken out
for local sight-seeing. Dramatic and acrobatic performances were given at nominal
charges by local troupes ; and on some occasions certain inmates were allowed to
get up performances themselves. Mr. M. Assan Koya Hajee supplied a bag of rice
for the inmates ; food and refreshments were furnished by Mr. M. Gopala Menon,
Dr. Appu Menon, Mrs. K. Chirutha Ammal and others; and treats were given on
Onam, Yishu and Christmas holidays.
n.—STATISTICS OF HEALTH AND TREATMENT OF THE SICK.
(1) Sickness and its causes.—In the Madras Asylum admissions into hospital
numbered 387. Excluding 141 cases of mania and epilepsy, 13 cases of old age
and 16 cases of surfeit, which were sent to the hospital as needing special care, the
remainder were largely due to chicken-pox, tubercle, itch, bronchitis and catarrhal
inflammation of the intestines. The daily average of sick was 56*30 against 48*07
in 1897.
In the Vizagapatam Asylum there were 47 admissions, 18 of whom were cases
of simple continued fever. The average daily sick was 3*83 against 3*11 in the
previous year.
In the Calicut Asylum there were 81 admissions and a daily average sick of 15*12
as compared with 159 and 26*36, respectively, in the preceding year. Catarrhal
inflammation of the stomach and intestines contributed the largest number of
admissions.
(2) Forcible feeding and methods in use.—In the Madras Asylum 20 cases
were fed by the naso-pharyngeal tube. In Vizagapatam 6 patients were fed by
hand; none required feeding by tube. In Calicut 9 patients were fed by hand and
1 by naso-pharyngeal tube.
(3) Mortality and its causes.—In Madras Asylum 28 deaths in and 4 out of
hospital occurred during the year as against 37 in the previous year. The cases
were mainly due to tubercle 6, dysentery 3 and mania 3. The four deaths out
of hospital were due to mania with syncope 2, cerebral apoplexy with coma 1, and
epilepsy with asphyxia 1.
In Vizagapatam the death-rate rose to 6 as compared with 1 in 1897. Two
were cases of chronic mania, 2 others were paralytic, 1 was an epileptic and died
from exhaustion, and the last died from hypertrophic cirrhosis of the liver.
In Calicut there occurred 8 deaths as compared with 21 in the preceding year.
Three were cases of advanced old age and 2 were pronounced cases of tubercle.
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