MENTAL HOSPITALS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY                                      5

dhall and also due to the substitution of beef for mutton in the diet of
European patients.

16.   General administration.—Dr. H. S. Hensman, L.M.S., L.R.C.P.,
M.R.C.S., M.P.C., held charge of the Mental Hospital, Madras, throughout
the year. Dr. R. A. D. Graham, M.B.,C.M., was in charge of the Mental
Hospital, Waltair, at the commencement of the year. He handed over
charge on 11th May 1929 to M.R.Ry. C. Sitarama Raju Garu, M.B., B.S.,
from whom M.R.Ry. P. R. Venkatarama Ayyar Avargal, M.B., C.M., took
charge on 5th June 1929 and continued to be the Superintendent during
the remaining period of the year. Lt.-Col. F. C. Fraser, I.M.S., was the
Superintendent of Mental Hospital, Calicut, till 3rd October 1929, on which
date he was relieved by M.R.Ry. P. C. Cheriyan Avargal, L.M.S., from
whom Lt.-Col. P. L. O'Neill, C.I.E., I.M.S., took over charge on 28th
October 1929 and continued to be in charge of the hospital till the end of
the year.

17.   Visitors.—All the official and non-official visitors attended the
monthly meetings of the hospitals by turn. The Surgeon-General and
the Inspector-General of Prisons visited the Mental Hospitals, Madras
and Calicut, while the Mental Hospital at Waltair was visited by the
Inspector-General of Prisons and the Headquarters Deputy Collector,
Vizagapatam.

18.   Verification of service books and stock registers.—The service books
of the establishment and the stock books were verified in all the three
hospitals and found correct.

19.  General remarks.—The following additional staff were sanctioned
during the year :—

Madras.—Two civil assistant surgeons and one lady assistant
surgeon.
One accountant on Rs. 65—4—85.
One clerk on Rs. 40—65.
Two house surgeons on a subsistence allowance of Rs. 50 each per
mensem.

The post of house-keeper for nurses' quarters was permanently
retained. The pay of the male and female totis was raised to Rs. 17 and
Rs. 14 respectively.

Waltair.—One civil assistant surgeon in place of the sub-assistant
surgeon.

Calicut.—One lady sub-assistant surgeon.

The treatment adopted was on the usual lines, viz., rest, fresh air,
liberal dieting as far as possible, sedatives, tonics, hydrotherapy and
radical cures in cases where a definite physical cause is known such as
syphilis, acute illness, etc. In later stages, sympathy, persuasion, sugges-
tion, occupation and out-door exercises are tried to improve the mental
condition of patients.

                                                 I have the honour to be,
                                                            Sir,
                                          Your most obedient servant,

                              J. W. D. MEGAW, MAJOR-GENERAL, I.M.S.,

                         Surgeon-General with the Government of Madras.

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