3

year round, and this water is continually polluted by sewage and
sullage. This storm water channel is a menace to the health and
well being of more than five thousand individuals, and the sanita-
tion of this area can never be regarded as satisfactory until this
source of danger is removed. The enormous increase in the
number of cases of malaria admitted to the hospital wards is
directly due to this source of infection. There is also a consider
able wastage of staff owing to sickness during the malaria season.

V.    Escapes, suicides and deaths from violence.—There were
three escapes in 1926 as compared with two in each of the pre-
ceding years. This makes a total of seven as compared with ten
in the previous triennium.

During 1924, there were two suicides and one death result-
ing from violence inflicted by an impulsive patient. In 1925
there was no unfortunate incident under these heads; and in
1926 there were no suicides but one death which apparently re-
sulted from violence, although the immediate cause of death was
the rupture of an enlarged spleen.

VI.    Recent innovations.—A number of innovations and
improvements have been effected within the last few years. In
the last triennial report reference was made to the greater degree
of liberty which the patients enjoy. This has since been increased,
and a number of patients are allowed out for walks either alone
or in charge of an attendant. None of the patients has abused
this privilege.

" Occupational Therapy" has been further developed.
Patients have always been employed in weaving cloth for their
summer and winter clothing, and in making munj mats, but in
addition to these occupations others have recently been intro-
duced, such as " Darri", and towel making on the male side; and
embroidery, raffia work, and rug making on the female side.
The last is very popular with the lady patients. The cost of raw
material is negligible, as the canvas on which the rugs are
worked is manufactured in the weaving sheds, and the wool is
obtained from condemned blankets. Unravelling fragments of
torn blankets is a useful method of sublimating the energy of
certain patients who can be persuaded to do no other form of
work, and who find pleasure in destroying blankets and clothing.

Loose leaf ledgers have replaced the old fashioned bound
case books wihch were so cumbersome and bulky. The
medical records of each patient can now much more easily be
written up, and they are infinitely more accessible than they
were before these loose leaf ledgers were introduced.