2
NOTE ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1907.
within the month following their admission. Seven of these were in a very
exhausted condition and practically dying.
The daily average sick of both institutions was 23.05 against 31.07 and 31.69
and the percentage of deaths to daily average strength was 8.67 against 6.74 and
7.27 in 1906 and 1905 respectively.
9. Injuries, Suicides and Escapes.—Two attempts at suicide occurred in
Rangoon, both of which were thoroughly investigated. Immediately after the
first attempt at suicide, Captain Shaw, I.M.S., the Superintendent, introduced the
"card system" of surveillance, which has been found to work satisfactorily and
has been introduced into the Minbu Asylum. Fifteen cases of local injuries of a
minor nature were treated in Rangoon during the year. No injuries or suicides
occurred in Minbu.
A civil lunatic escaped from Rangoon and was recaptured by the Asylum
staff three days later.
Two escaped from Minbu ; one was recaptured seven days after, and the
other on the day following the escape. The tell-tale clock system in Rangoon is to
be further extended as the experience gained shows its efficacy. Its introduction
in the female section in Rangoon caused a strike among the female attendants.
Those refusing to carry it out were promptly dismissed. The Superintendent
notes that there has been no further trouble.
10. Treatment—This has been much the same as in previous years, drugs
being used in treatment of symptoms and mental relaxation and recreation being
regarded as being the most useful. During the year an omnibus was purchased
for the Rangoon Asylum in which selected patients are taken out occasionally.
11. Statements Nos. VIII, IX & X.— In these statements the figures of
1907 are shown both for the Rangoon and Minbu Asylums while those of 1905
and 1906 are for Rangoon only.
Statement
VIII.
(a) Rangoon.—Exclusive of the book debits the total expenditure in
Rangoon amounted to Rs. 82,423-2-11 against Rs. 75,293-15-6 in 1906.
Excluding the expenditure under " Superintendence" which varies according to
the rank of the officer holding the appointment, the actual excess amounted to
Rs. 12,112-8-2 as detailed—Establishment Rs. 2,674-13-11 ; Diet Rs. 2,258-10-3 ;
Bedding and clothing Rs. 1,106-4-7 ; Bazaar medicines Rs. 69-7-4 ; Contingencies
p roper Rs. 6,003-4-1. The expenditure per head of average strength increased
from Rs. 118-0-3 in 1906 to Rs. 145-5-8 in 1907.
(b) The excess expenditure under Establishment is accounted for by the
additional staff sanctioned in Government's letter No. 352 — 9K.-26, dated 9th
August 1907, and to increments allowed to certain subordinates, while the heavy
expenditure under other heads as compared with that of 1906 especially when
the daily average strength of the Asylum has fallen from 474.69 in 1906 to
469.44 in 1907 requires a thorough investigation. This will form the subject of
separate communication.
(c) Minbu.—The total expenditure excluding the book adjustments
amounted to Rs. 7,358-8-0, with an average of Rs. 89-9-1 per head of average
strength excluding charges under " Superintendence." This average per head
cannot however be taken for comparison with Rangoon as some of the initial
charges such as bedding and clothing were not incurred in this Asylum. The
average cost of diet per head is only Rs. 43-12-11 at Minbu against Rs. 53-2-6
in Rangoon.
(d) Taking the two Asylums as one and excluding the sum of Rs. 820, spent
on " Superintendence" at Minbu and book adjustments, the average cost of
maintaining a lunatic amounted to Rs. 164-2-2 in 1907 against Rs. 158-8-3 in
1906.
Statement X.
12. Manufacture.—Under manufactures there is a net profit of Rs. 17,962-2-7
in both the Asylums against Rs. 14,165-4-8 in Rangoon during 1906.
13. Dairy.—The produce of milk at the Rangoon Asylum decreased in
value from Rs. 6,112-6-3 in 1906 to Rs. 5,773-12-11 in 1907. Including a sum
of Rs. 58-13-6 outstanding to be recovered on this account the dairy arrangements
resulted in a net profit of Rs. 405-13-7.
14. Staff.— Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Bell, I.M.S., held charge as Superinten-
dent of the Rangoon Asylum, from 1st to 21st January. Captain H. A. Williams,
M.B.,D.S.O., I.M.S., from 22nd January to the 9th April, Captain R. D. Saigol,
I.M.S., F.R.C.S , from the 9th to the 13th April, and Captain W. S.J. Shaw, M.B.,
I.M.S., from 15th April to 31st December. Mr. Wells was in charge of the
Minbu Asylum till 30th November when he was relieved by Captain Fenton, I.M.S.
E. P. FRENCHMAN, LIEUT.-COL., I.M.S.,
Offg. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Burma.