10

months, the soil about the upper part of the asylum and in the airing courts
is often soaking during the monsoon season. The three main drains which
convey all the liquid matter and waste water of the establishment to the sea-
shore very frequently become choked, as all sewers opening on a flat tidal
surface are liable to be. They are covered in, and furnished at intervals with
trap-doors for the purpose of seeing that they are clean and free.

Conservancy.

30. The night-soil is regularly removed to some distance on the shore
by the regular staff of sweepers on the establishment,
and carbolic acid and McDougall's powder freely
used daily for deodorizing and disinfecting purposes.

Winds.

31. The prevailing winds are from the S. and S.W., and they thorough-
ly penetrate the upper floor of the asylum ; but when
the wind is light, the lower floor in the south wing is
often very close, and disagreeably hot and steamy.

Vaccination.

32. Vaccination was practised on 71 patients who bore neither marks
of small-pox nor previous vaccination; but as only 34
proved successful, it may be inferred that the larger
number of the 71 had really previously suffered from mild small-pox, or had
been vaccinated.

General Health.

33. The health of the inmates generally has been good. There was no
epidemic, nor have any severe diseases prevailed to
any extent. It is stated that scabies and ringworm
caused the greatest number of admissions on the sick list. Dr. Murphy says
that "in an asylum so crowded, and where there are no means of isolating the
affected cases at night, this must necessarily to a certain extent be expect-
ed."

Dysentery and Diarrhœa.

34. Dysentery and diarrhœa caused 5 and 6 deaths respectively. In
my previous report the figures were 10 and 8 in a
total of 33 deaths. This year the total deaths were
just the same as last year.

Treatment.

35. The treatment of insanes is and always must be of a mixed kind
and the method of it must vary with the circum
stances of each case. Notwithstanding this, however
there are some well-recognized principles which should guide every one in the
care and treatment of insanes. But unfortunately the physical conditions at
Colaba render the application of these principles all but, if not quite, impossi-
ble. Dr. Murphy says in regard to the treatment pursued by him:—"There
was no uniform method adopted ; it may, however, be divided into medical,
moral, and dietetic. The medical has been directed chiefly towards regulating
the bowels and altered secretions in some; while in others such sedatives as
potassii bromidum, belladonna, conium, Indian hemp, and morphia have been
largely employed, and with success, to quiet excitement and induce sleep.
The moral has been characterized chiefly by the entire absence of any coer-
cion or mechanical appliances for restraint. The criminal patient alluded to
in last report as wearing irons, had these removed early in the year. If a
patient happens to get excited and unmanageable, he is removed at once from
the other patients, and locked up till the excitement subsides. The subject
as to the sources of out-door employment is still under consideration. It is