5
increase which is attributed to the introduction of paddy husking by females which
affords light and congenial employment to the female lunatics who appreciate this
home-like work.
Miscellaneous.
Employment of inmates.
6. The employment is mainly of a domestic character such as cleanliness of the
asylum, its buildings and compound. Healthy and well-
behaved lunatics are employed in gardening, cultivating
paddy, sugar cane and jute, repairing and cleansing houses,
cooking, manufacturing bricks and surki pounding. At Dacca some of the inmates find
employment in the dairy and in rope-making. Females are generelly employed in
spinning, weaving, cleaning grains and paddy husking. Efforts are made to give to
those who are able to do it some light work similar to that which they would be
required to do in their homes. Suitable lunatics are kept occupied in some work
which interests them. This often has a beneficial effect on their state of mind. Major
A. Leventon, I.M.S., Superintendent of the Tezpur Asylum, says "It is interesting
to note how those occupied in gardening and cultivation look forward to the ultimate
result of their work ?"
Accommodation.
7. There was no change in the capacity of the Dacca Asylum during the trien-
nium under report. The capacity of this Asylum calcu-
lated at 50 superficial feet per patient is for 238 males
and 45 females. The maximum number confined in any one night was 262 males
and 42 females in 1909, 251 males and 39 females in 1910, and 273 males and 46
females in 1911. There was thus overcrowding throughout the triennium. Attempts
are being made to make over the harmless lunatics to the care of their friends and
relatives. In 1909 the capacity of the Asylum at Tezpur was for 133 males and
33 females, while the maximum number confined in any one night was 200 males
and 42 females. In 1910 there was accommodation, including solitary cells and
hospitals, for 157 males and 33 females and the maximum number confined in
any one night was 209 males and 44 females. In 1911 the accommodation was
the same as in 1910, the maximum number under confinement having been 199 males
and 43 females. There was great overcrowding throughout the triennium. A pro-
posal for a new male ward is under consideration, the plan and estimate for which
are in course of preparation. There is a proposal to convert the present female ward
of the Tezpur Asylum into a male ward and build a separate female ward on a new
site. This will of course prevent site crowding, but the cost is prohibitive. At
present the female ward is separated from the male ward by a bamboo palisading,
but as this is not sufficient for the purpose, the construction of a masonry wall between
the male and female wards has been administratively sanctioned and the work will
be started as soon as funds are allotted by Government.
Sanitary and Hospital arrange-
ments.
The sanitary arrangements are carefully supervised; night-soil in the Dacca
Asylum is not now trenched in the Asylum garden, but is
removed by the Dacca Municipality. In the Tezpur
Asylum it is trenched in the garden. The infectious stools
in both Asylums are destroyed in an incinerator. At Dacca the stools of all the
lunatics are systematically examined as to the presence of entozoa and the lunatics
are treated for worms even if the examination proves negative. Disinfectants
are freely used in barracks, drains and latrines. The water-supply is good. The
food is good and varied and there is an ample supply of vegetables in both
asylums. Great care is taken in the matter of cleanliness. Clothing and bedding
are often torn or destroyed by lunatics, but the supply is liberal. At Tezpur Kerosine
is freely used for preventing mosquito breeding in the katcha drains of the asylum.
In both asylums prophylactic quinine is issued during the fever season, i.e., from May
to November each year. Lunatics losing weight and the feeble and the infirm are
treated in a gang and receive special attention. At Dacca the floors of Barrack
No. 11-3 were made pucca in 1909, and the floors of the main barrack and separate
cells on the female side were made pucca in 1910. In 1911, the hydrant in front of
the gate was removed to a suitable site and the drainage in Barrack No. 11-3 and in
the day latrines was improved. The walls of one of the separate cells of this asylum
was paved throughout with cement so as to prevent violent lunatics destroying the
cells. This has proved a success. New latrines are in course of construction at
Tezpur.
Inspections.
8. During the triennium the Dacca Asylum was inspected 5 times by me. It
was visited in 1910 by the Director-General of the Indian
Medical Service. The Tezpur Asylum was inspeted
thrice by me, and the same number of times by the Inspector-General of Prisons and