26                                    ANNUAL REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

5.   As regards the treatment of insanes, I have to state that occupation,
recreation, and an appropriate diet with plenty of fresh air are the chief remedies
trusted to for promoting recovery.

Little specific value is attached to the curative properties of medicines, except
in those cases where, in addition to the mental disorder, there is also obvious
derangement of the general health of the patient. However, opium and its deri-
vatives, bromide of potassium, hydrate of chloral, and other sedatives, together
with counter-irritation and the cold and tepid baths, are all remedies that have
proved of distinct service in the treatment of the various mental affections.

Out-door labor is very beneficial on account of its healthful nature, and a large
proportion of the patients are occupied in this way in picking up weeds, cleaning
and sweeping the extensive grounds, drawing water, keeping the roads in order,
cooking, &c, The manufacture of coir rope and date mats is continued and a
certain number of the men help to repair the torn clothing.

6.   There has been no epidemic of any kind during the year, though chicken-
pox was prevalent in the neighbouring villages.

All the inmates and warders' children are vaccinated.

The sanitary condition of the cottages and the premises is strictly attended to,
and the latrines tarred regularly and worked on the dry-earth system. Besides
these, trenches are dug in a remote part of the ground where the insanes are
marched every morning and evening, which not only answers very well on sanitary
grounds, but also acts as a good manure,

7.   A latrine for the warders and their families, as well as for the other servants,
is much wanted, and one could be built on the open ground to the north-east of the
warders' lines, where it would not prove a source of nuisance and could be daily
inspected. This is a measure that should be adopted for the better sanitary
condition of that portion of the grounds which at present are only kept in order
by constant vigilance.

8.  The necessary repairs in the different buildings are being effected, and it is
to be hoped that, on the occurrence of the next heavy rain, the roofs of the cottages
may afford more effectual protection than has hitherto been the case.

The white and blue washings of the Asylum has been done by the lunatics
and Asylum servants agreeably to G.O., No. 404, dated 25th February 1880.

The accommodation in the Asylum for criminal lunatics is at present sufficient,
but, should this class increase, an extra ward for their use will have to be con-
structed.

The present ward contained on an average 7.34 inmates, and the largest
number shut up on any one night during the year was 9; it is capable of accommo-
dating 12.