Government[NLS note: a graphic appears here - see image of page] of Madras

LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT (PUBLIC HEALTH) DEPARTMENT.

                     G.O. No. 909, 27th May 1926

                                          Mental Hospitals

                           Report for 1925—recorded with remarks.

READ—the following:—

Letter from Major-Genl. T. H. SYMONS, C.S.I., O.B.E., K.H.S., I.M.S., Surgeon-
General with the Government of Madras, to the Secretary to the Government of
Madras, Local Self-Government (Public Health) Department, dated 16th March
1926, No. R. 595, Genl.

Order—No. 909 (Public Health), dated 27th May 1926.

Recorded.

2.   Accommodation.—The accommodation for Indian civil male patients in the
Madras Mental Hospital was increased during the year by the addition of a block
of 20 single rooms. The construction of two new wards of 16 and 8 beds for the
segregation of tubercular patients has been sanctioned and funds have been
provided for the purpose in the current year. The question of increasing the
accommodation further is engaging the attention of the Surgeon-General and the
Government as part of a general scheme of improvements to the three mental
hospitals.

3.  Strength.—Although there was no appreciable increase in the total number
of patients who received treatment (1,303 against 1,295 in 1924), the average
daily strength rose from 942 in 1924 to 981 in 1925. This is due to the fact that
patients remained in the hospitals for longer periods, thus enabling themselves
to derive a fuller benefit from the treatment provided.

4.  Sick rate and mortality.—The death rate showed a marked decline from
11.4 per cent to 6.4 per cent of the average strength. There was a slight improve-
ment in the percentage of cures from 15.8 in 1924 to 16.8 per cent in the
year under review. There were no epidemics except an outbreak of chicken-
pox in the Madras Mental Hospital which soon subsided as the result of prompt
action.

5.   Water-supply and drainage.—An estimate for Rs. 14,000 for improving the
water-supply of the Madras Mental Hospital has been sanctioned. The Govern-
ment have also directed the Sanitary Engineer to proceed at once with the
investigation of a proper drainage scheme for the hospital.

6.   Buildings.—The question of effecting improvements and extensions to the
mental hospitals on up-to-date lines is engaging attention. Meanwhile, the
Government have accorded sanction for the execution of the following works
which are regarded as urgent :—

(a) Madras Mental Hospital—

(i) Two wards for tubercular patients.

(ii) A new dispensary and operation theatre.