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

       LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT (PUBLIC HEALTH) DEPARTMENT.

                  G.O. No. 1372 PH., 2nd June 1930

            Mental Hospitals—Report for 1929—Recorded with remarks.

READ—the following :—

         Letter from Major-General J. W. D. MEGAW, C.I.E., V.H.S., I.M.S.,
         Surgeon-General with the Government of Madras, to the Secretary to
         Government, Local Self-Government (Public Health) Department,
         dated 21st March 1930, R. No. 540-G.

Order—No. 1372, P.H., dated 2nd June 1930.

         Recorded

         2.  Strength and accommodation.—The population of the hospitals
continued to increase during the
year. The accommodation, espe-
cially in the Madras and Calicut
mental hospitals, is inadequate.
The extension of the female enclo-
sure in the Madras Mental Hospital for which an estimate of Rs. 2,13,400
was sanctioned in 1927, was subsequently held in abeyance pending
the formulation of a revised scheme of improvements to the hospital as
a result of the conference of Superintendents of Mental Hospitals
held at Ranchi in March 1929.

         3.  Sick rate and mortality.—The death-rate fell slightly as compared
with the previous year (from 6.9 to 6.8 per cent of the average strength).
The proportion of patients sick in hospital rose from 16.1 to 16.8 per
cent of the average strength. Except for 12 cases of influenza, which
occurred in the Calicut Mental Hospital during July 1929, the year was
free from epidemics.

         4.  Buildings.—As stated in the last year's report, a conference was held
at Ranchi in March 1929 between the Superintendents of the three
mental hospitals, the Consulting Architect to Government and Lt.-Col.
O. Berkeley-Hill, I.M.S. (Superintendent of the Ranchi European
Mental Hospital), for the discussion of schemes relating to the improve-
ment and development of the hospitals on up-to-date lines. Detailed
proposals resulting from the Conference are awaited from the Surgeon-
General.

         5.  General remarks.—In pursuance of the policy of converting these
institutions from mere asylums into modern hospitals for the scientific
treatment of mental diseases, a substantial addition was made to the
strength of the medical staff of the three hospitals during the year under
report. The pay of totis employed in the mental hospitals was revised.
The clerical staff of the Madras Mental Hospital was also strengthened,