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for Hydrotherapy treatment have already been submitted to Government and
as it is an indispensable branch of treatment in a modern mental hospital it is
hoped the proposal will be sanctioned as early as possible.
(4) Parole.—As the Indian Mental Hospital is run on modern methods
much greater freedom is given to patients and all are treated alike and no
invidious distinction is made as was the practice in the old asylum between
a criminal and a non-criminal patient. Dependable and non-dependable
patients are allowed to go out for their morning and evening walks ; the latter
as a rule are escorted. Patients are also sent for motor drives in the hospital
Char-a-banc four times a week from the male section and twice a week from
the female section.
(5) Recreation (literally Re-creation).—Recreation is a most valuable
form of treatment and it is provided on a generous scale.
(a) Sports (out-door games).—
Football, tennis, badminton, croquet are enjoyed by those patients who are
able to play these games and those who are not sufficiently expert to play
enjoy watching all these games.
(In-door games).—
Cards, Chess, Satranj, Carrom, Ludo, etc., etc., are largely indulged in by
patients. The staff forms the back-bone of the indoor and outdoor games.
(b) Amusements.—
Every modern mental hospital has its large recreation hall. Some of
these are palatial in size and decoration but each has a well-polished floor
for dancing with a stage well-equipped with scenery, lighting arrangements
and curtains. It is rare now to find one without a cinema installation. The
Recreation Hall of the Indian Mental Hospital is still under the considera-
tion of Government and it is hoped it will be sanctioned soon. In the absence-
of a proper recreation hall, a large dormitory room in one of the blocks in the
male section has been temporarily converted into a recreation hall with
a stage equipped with scenery and lighting arrangement. Similar arrangement
has been provided in the female section.
The Kanke Dramatic Society with the help of our staff and a few sane
patients gave a few dramatic performances during the year under report which
were greatly appreciated by the patients. The best thanks are due to all the
members of the Kanke Dramatic Society for their ready co-operation in provid-
ing such excellent amusement for the patients.
The Nari Samity of Ranchi also gave a performance entitled " Prahlad "
which was much enjoyed. Thanks are due to Mrs. Kamala Bose, Honorary
Secretary of the Nari Samity and all its members for their kind thought of
providing such an excellent entertainment to our patients.
During the Puja holidays the renowned Jatra Party of Mukunda Das of
Bengal visited Ranchi and they were invited to give two performances to the
patients. The patients enjoyed the performances immensely.
In addition a musician entertains the patients four times a week in the
male section and twice a week in the female section throughout the year
under review. The musician is very popular with the patients and they look
forward to his concert every evening and many of them join in the singing.
Occasionally clever musicians from the inmates entertain the patients. The
temporary recreation halls of both the sections are fully equipped with various
musical instruments.
Cinema.—The cinema is one of the most valuable form of treatment and
is indispensable in all modern mental hospitals and it is hoped that it will be
provided in this hospital as early as possible.
Feasts.—Feasts were given to all patients during the Puja holidays and
special feasts were given to Hindu, Muhammadan and Christian patients