8
The weight chart of the patients showed a general rise throughout the
triennium under report. In 1929, it was noticed that the male patients
gained weights on the average 1.32 lbs. per head and the female patients 6.30
lbs. per head.
As usual, forcible feeding and nasal feeding were resorted to as often as
necessary in several cases. One Stupor case has been nasally fed for the last
28 months.
(iii) Malarial Therapy.—Although the type of mental disease, viz.,
G. P. I., in which it is eminently successful is not prevalent in India, still
appreciable beneficial effects have been noticed in a few cases of Mania. In
1929, 7 cases were treated but only two showed marked improvement, while
in 1928, 6 cases were treated with indifferent results.
(iv) Occupational Therapy.—This has been carried out as vigorously as
before. Patients are principally occupied in remunerative work which is
mainly directed towards remoulding the more primitive manipulative capaci-
ties and which makes very little demand on the more complex mental processes
at the same time. The patients are chiefly engaged in gardening, weaving,
cane and bamboo work, smithy, carpentery, tailoring and miscellaneous
domestic works, while some are engaged also in mending clothes, cobbling,
lace-making, knitting, office work, etc. So that the patients' labour is fully
utilised towards supplying the needs of the hospital, which apart from its
therapeutic effect on patients themselves, serves to keep down the rates of the
institution. The Weaving section was considerably expanded in 1928 and
1929.
Some of the female patients had some lessons in reading and writing
(primary) during the triennium under report. They took keen interest in the
matter.
(v) Drugs etc.—(a)Epilepsy.-Musken's treatment with preparations of
mercury was tried in 17 old cases of epilepsy during 1928 and 1929, but
unfortunately the results were not encouraging in our series.
(b) Encephalitis Lethargica.—A full report of treatment of this fell
disease given to some of the patients of this hospital during the triennium
under review was contributed in the Indian Medical Gasette by Major
J. E. Dhunjibhoy, I.M.S. Injections of Hyoscine Hydrobromide were exten-
sively given and the results were not discouraging.
(c) Organotherapy.—This was tried throughout the triennium under
report in a few cases with no better results than previous years. Thyroid
Gland was found to be very useful as an " activating agent" in acute
Melancholia and Stuporous cases.
(vi) Psychotherapy.—4 cases were treated during the triennium under
review with suggestions under hypnosis with satisfactory results.
(vii) Recreation.—.As usual the patients took an active interest in both
outdoor and indoor games, namely, Hockey, Football, Tennis, Badminton,
Croquet, Chess, Dice, Cards, Carrom, Ludo, Ping Pong, etc. Several matches
were played with the following Football Associations of Ranchi and Kanke on
the Hospital ground. It is gratifying to note that in all the matches the
Hospital team won.
(1) Ranchi Public Health Department Football Association.
(2) Accountant-General, Bihar and Orissa Office Football Association-
(3) United Football Club, Kanke.
(4) Young Star of India, Kanke.
(5) Christian Boys' Football Club, Ranchi.
The patients' Hockey Team entered into the Chota Nagpur Hockey Cup
Competition Tournament and played two matches.
Athletic Sports for the patients and staff were held in 1928 and 1929
during the X'mas weeks and were very much appreciated,—in fact, many
patients look forward to these events with great eagerness.