No. S.B./379 OF 1895.
FROM
THE SURGEON-GENERAL WITH THE
GOVERNMENT OF BOMBAY;
To
THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
General Department,
Bombay.
Bombay, 10th April 1895.
SIR,
I have the honour to submit, for the information of Government, the
annual Administration Report on the Lunatic Asylums for 1894.
2. The usual repairs have been made to the buildings during the year.
3. At Colába no new works have been carried out, but the usual repairs
were made by the Public Works Department at a cost of Rs. 4,513-15-0. On the
11th of February of the current year His Excellency Lord Harris laid the
foundation stone of the new asylum at Naupada near Thána which is to replace
the Colába Asylum.
4. At Poona one of the male wards was re-roofed and fitted with ridge
ventilators, and the floor of the back verandah of this ward raised 15 inches so as
to bring it to the same level as that of the ward. The central building adjoin-
ing the office and previously unused was, during the year, converted, at a cost of
Rs. 481, into a ward for 21 non-criminal lunatics, raising the accommodation
of the asylum from 106 to 127.
The great wants of the asylum are :—
(a) Accommodation for criminal lunatics. This will necessitate
taking up of additional ground which is available in the neighbourhood.
(b) Work or shelter sheds for use during the day.
(c) Enlarged kitchen accommodation.
(d) Land for agricultural purposes, &c.
5. At Dhárwár the capacity of the asylum has been increased from 32 to
65 by the addition of new night barracks sanctioned in Government Resolution
No. C. W.—2009 of 2nd December 1893. They were finished and handed over in
July last. The floors of the night wards are paved with patent stone. Govern-
ment have in Resolution No. 234 C. W.—1294 of 14th August last, Public Works
Department, sanctioned the re-arrangement of the buildings, so as to separate
more effectually the male and female inmates. This is a very necessary and
even urgent work, and is estimated to cost Rs. 1,500—1,600. Quarters for the
warders and servants have also been approved and will be completed when funds
are available. A small latrine was built from my discretionary grant for the
Hospital Assistant's quarters.
6. At Ahmedabad the ventilation of one of the latrines for male insanes
was improved and iron bars were fixed in the windows of the cells occupied by
criminal lunatics to ensure security.
7. At Ratnágiri two additional cells in the criminal part of the asylum
and alterations in the cook-rooms have been sanctioned, which works, it is hoped,
will soon be taken in hand, as they are very much required.
8. The water-supply for domestic purposes has been good and abundant
throughout the year, though insufficient for gardening. The Municipality at
Ratnágiri has not yet supplied the quantity sanctioned by Government, and
in Government Resolution No. 2197, dated 11th June 1894, the Commissioner,
S. D., was asked to report on the subject. It would be of advantage if this
long-standing complaint against this Municipality could be removed.
9. The grants for the amusement of the lunatics have been judiciously
expended by the Superintendents on music, newspapers, sweetmeats and other
indulgences, which from the reports of the different Superintendents seem to have
been much appreciated by the patients.
B 2064—1