5
The hospital lacks in equipment of modern type for better treatment facilities. Sanction for the pur-
chase of a shock therapy apparatus has since been accorded by Government.
Accommodation.—The capacity of the hospital was 716 (598 males and 118 females) during the year.
There was overcrowding throughout the year. The maximum number confined in any one night during
the year under review was 758 as against 737 in the previous year.
More accommodation is a pressing and immediate necessity. Government sanctioned the construction
of a 50 bedded ward but before the work could commence Government ordered to keep in abevance all
such projects in the interest of economy. In view of the acute shortage of accommodation it is felt that some-
thing should be done to meet the growing demand for more accommodation and Government have accor-
dingly been moved to sanction the construction of a smaller ward—half of the proposed 50 bedded building
for the present.
Diet.—Liberal and nutritious diet with adequate vitamin contents is ensured and every endeavour is
made to supply diet of standard quality and quantity. The weight loosers, patients with indifferent health
and those suffering from anorexia are given sufficient quantity of milk to gain standard weight and
improve their health.
Cleanliness.—Great care was taken in the difficult task of maintaining the personal cleanliness of the
inmates. The hospital so long badly lacked in adequate water supply without which improvement in this
important aspect of health was not possible. Electric pumping set has since been installed and steps
are being taken to put it into operation with the help of the mechanic attached to the hospital. This will
go a long way in effecting the much needed improvement in the personal cleanliness of the patients.
Clothing.—Clothings were sufficient.
Discipline.—Good and well maintained.
Amusement and Recreation.—Patients are kept amused with music, band and game. Literate inmates
are provided with books and newspapers. The want of a recreation hall with a library is keenly
felt. Government have since been moved seeking provision of funds in next year's budget through
a schedule of new scheme. When the hall is built and a library set up a valuable avenue for
recreation will be opened for the patients to be relieved of their monotonous life.
Sanitation.—As in previous years insufficiency of water stood in the way of maintaining proper sanitary
condition. Now that an electric pumping set has been installed it is hoped that there will be marked im-
provement in the sanitary condition of the hospital.
Nursing.—There is no provision for Nursing Sisters for the female section and male nurses for the male
inmates. But in an institution like this nurses are of imperative necessity. Nursing of mental patients
requires special skill and technique and nurses specially trained in nursing mental patients require to be
employed urgently. As owing to financial stringency the general scheme for improvement of the hospital
which 'inter-alia' includes provision of nursing staff is not likely to be sanctioned in the near future a propo-
sal for a small nursing staff is being formulated and will be submitted to Government in due course.
Water supply.—It is expected that the satisfactory working of the electric pump already installed will
solve the problem of inadequate water supply.
Electric installation.—Electrification of the different wards and dormitories, 'as also of the compound of
the hospital is a pressing necessity, as without this some modern methods of treatment so very essential for the
well being of the patients, cannot be introduced. Besides this without proper lighting arrangement accidents
and injuries which occur in dark and semi-dark corners cannot be avoided. Without electrification a radio
for the recreation of the patients cannot also be put in. Great difficulties are being experienced for irregular
supply of kerosene oil and at times the hospital has to go without lights. Government have since been moved
seeking provision of funds in the next year's budget.
Conservancy.—Night soil is trenched in a selected site in the garden land and infected stools are incinerated
outside the hospital enclosure.
Disinfection.—The disinfection of hospital clothings and beddings is being carried out by means of the
disinfecting plant.
Livestock.—Livestock supplied by the Upper Shillong Farm is as follows:—
Remained on 31st December 1947 and
1st January 1948.
Born or received during the year ...
Total ...
Died ... ... ...
Destroyed ... ... ...
Sold ... ... ...
Transferred ... ... ...
Remaining on 31st December 1948 or
1st January 1949.
Cow
3
2*
5
...
...
...
...
5
Heifer
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Cow-calf
6
4
10
1
...
...
2‡
7
Bullock
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Bull
1
...
1
...
...
...
...
1
Bull-calf
6
2
*
8
1 † †
...
...
2† ‡
5
Remarks
Received by
transferring
cow-calf to
cows.
Transferred to
hospital pro¬
perty.
Transferred
cow-calf to
cow.
Poultry.—A small Poultry is maintained in the hospital and fresh eggs, when available, were issued for
the patients.