5
Diet.—In view of the poor condition of health of some patients, special care
has been given to good and adequate diet. Fresh fish has been obtained by
special arrangement with contractors through the kind offices of the Deputy
Commissioner, Darrang. Fresh vegetables have been plentiful, and have been
given freely for the sake of their vitamin content. Where necessary natural
vitamin has been reinforced by Marmite. Milk and Dahi are given almost daily,
and great care is taken to ensure that every patient eats his proper diet.
Treatment of physical illness has been on modern lines. Full advantage is
taken of the facilities available at the Pasteur Institute, Shillong. For routine
work a small clinical laboratory is maintained, and the medical staff makes full
use of it.
(c) Garden.—The Hospital Garden continues to do well, yielding some profit
and an useful addition to the dietary.
(d) Accommodation.—The hospital has accommodation for 690 patients.
During 1937 it was permitted to be over-crowded to the extent of 705.77
patients. In view of the water situation and number of Dysentery cases the
Superintendent very properly did not feel justified in endangering the health
of patients further by over-crowding and endeavoured to keep admissions within
the limits sanctioned by Government; but owing to an unexpected number
of observation cases the limits were slightly exceeded (691.40). This left an
average of roughly 25 mental cases to be accommodated in the different jails
of the province. Until the general health is improved, an adequate supply of
water provided and the staff increased, over-crowding will not be justifiable. The
obvious alternative is to increase the capacity, and this is under the consideration
of Government.
(e) Conservancy.—Night soil is trenched in a selected site on the garden land
and infected stools are incinerated outside the enclosure.
(f) Water-supply.—Insufficiency of water still continues to a serious degree.
At this time of the year two deep wells are drying up, and there is not enough
water for the patient's bathing requirements. The situation has already been
fully represented to Government.
(g) Dairy —Live-stock supplied by the Upper Shillong Farm is as follows :
—
—
Remaining on 31st December
1937.
Born or received during 1938
Total .. ..
Died .. .. ..
Destroyed .. ..
Sold
..
..
..
Transferred to Khanapara
Cattle Farm.
Remaining on 31st December
1938.
Cows
5
2
7
..
..
..
2
5
Cowcalf
3(c)
2(d)
5
..
1
..
..
4
Bullcalf
5
3(d)
8
1
..
3
..
4
Heifer
..
1(c)
1
..
..
..
..
1
Bull
1
1(a)
2
..
..
..
1
1
Remarks
(a) One bull received from
Khanapara Cattle Farm
on 27th July 1938.
(c) Out of 4 she-calves pre-
viously shown, one she-
calf has been transferred
to the heading " Heifer".
(d) 2 she-calves and 3 bull-
calves were born at the
Mental Hospital Dairy
during 1938.
(h) Poultry.—Fresh eggs, when available, were issued for the patients.
(i) Cleanliness.—Great care was taken in the difficult matter of personal
cleanliness of the inmates which is more than usually difficult owing to the water
shortage. Their clothing was boiled and washed weekly.
(j) Clothing.—Good and sufficient.
(k) Discipline.—Good.
(l) Amusement and Recreation.—Mental patients were kept amused with music,
Band and Games. Literate inmates were provided with books and Newspapers.