2
REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE TRIENNIUM 1909—1911.
It may be looked upon as a fit place for the treatment of very maniacal conditions
only. The same remarks apply to a less marked extent to the Native Section."
After prolonged discussion and several makeshifts the Committee appointed
to select a site for a New Lunatic Asylum has decided upon Insein, and it is satis-
factory to note that the necessary area is being acquired. It is hoped however
that this long pending project may not be much further delayed.
In view of the fact that a New Asylum is contemplated it is deemed
inadvisible to incur any expenditure on new works by way of additions to the
existing buildings. In Rangoon, few of the wooden building in the civil enclosure
are secure owing to defects due to age, and unless a most vigorous and constant
supervision is maintained frequent escapes cannot be prevented as the walls of
nearly every one can be broken through with comparative ease and the boundary
wall is only seven feet high.
4. Forty-seven persons were sent to Rangoon Asylum during 1911 for
observation as to their mental condition of whom 44 were certified insane against
66 in 1910 of whom 56 were certified and 51 in 1909 of whom 46 were certified.
5. Water-supply.—In
Minbu a small infiltration gallery and distribution
system by which water is secured for drinking and cooking purposes as eco-
nomically as possible, was in full operation during the triennium and it is reported
to have worked very efficiently throughout.
6. The water-supply in Rangoon continued to be obtained as hitherto from
the five wells in the different sections of the Asylum. The water from only one of
these wells is used for drinking purposes. All drinking water is filtered through
Berkfield Filters. Two three-candle Berkfield Filters were in use up to the
middle of 1910 and since then they have been replaced by two seven-candle
filters. These are working satisfactorily though their use involves additional
expenditure on candles. From June 1911, one of the wells used for bathing and
gardening purposes was not used, as the Public Works Department considered
its masonry work gone beyond repair and dangerous. The provision of another
garden well is necessary if the vegetable supply is to be maintained. The water-
supply became scanty in March, April and May, and this shortage increases
year by year as the population increases. Several schemes for an improved
method of supplying drinking water to the Asylum were considered and abandoned
finally in favour of a connection with the new artesian well in the Rangoon Central
Jail, but difficulty has been met in giving effect to this scheme as the existing
boiler in the Jail is found inadequate to supply the Lunatic Asylum with water.
As a matter of fact it has been found after several experiments that the existing
plant in the Jail is not capable of meeting fully the demands of the Jail. A case
has been made out for the provision of another boiler which will supply the
requirements of both the Jail and the Lunatic Asylum. It is hoped that steps will
be taken in the very near future to supply water from the Jail. The results of the
analysis of water of the various wells of the Asylum by the Chemical Examiner
show that the water is good and usable.
7. Sanitation and Conservancy.—In
Rangoon and Minbu the ultimate
disposal of nightsoil was by trenching within the Asylum premises, and all rubbish
has, as hitherto, been disposed of by burying or burning according to the season.
In Rangoon proposals to substitute the existing trenching system by an arrangement
with the Municipality for the removal of nightsoil, were under consideration. This
proposed change involves a monthly recurring additional expenditure. The matter
has been referred to the Chief Engineer for advice. The cost of day conservancy
for the removal of rubbish by Municipal Agency is also under consideration.
8. In Minbu the dormitories, cells, and latrines (which are of the Horbury
type) were maintaind in a state of cleanliness by daily free flushings of floors
and walls with water. When cholera was prevalent in the town special vigilance
was exercised with reference to the necessity of (1) sterilization of plates and cups
before the distribution of food, (2) cleansing of the hands of the inmates before
the partaking of food, and (3) treatment of the contents of latrine receptacles with
saw dust soaked in crude carbolic acid solution. Infestation of the clothes of
the inmates pediculi, etc., was guarded against by weekly sterilizations of all
wearing apparel.