PUBLIC HEALTH.
The women and children's hospital at Bobbili was built by the present Mahárája in 1895, entirely at his own cost, and was handed over by him to the local board together with an endowment of Rs. 20,000 in securities, the interest on which is utilized for its maintenance.
The Lunatic Asylum at Waltair originated in the accidental fact that in 1862 seven non-criminal lunatics had been committed to custody all at once. There being no proper place for them, the District Magistrate was allowed to rent a small house for them, wherein they lived, guarded by constables and waited on by convicts. The question of providing mufassal asylums was thus raised; and one was sanctioned for Vizagapatam among other places. Meanwhile a larger building was rented, which became a recognized asylum for the Northern Circars and had a regular board of visitors.
The existing buildings at Waltair were completed in 1871. At present they contain accommodation for 96 patients, while the daily average strength is 76.
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