2
REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE TRIENNIUM 1906-08
afford space within the neighbouring Rangoon Jail for storage of grain for the
Lunatic Asylum, the problem of erecting a sufficiently cheap granary is presented.
5. In 1907, an effort was made by me to secure the adoption of the " boarding-
out system " for tractable patients, both in reference to affording some relief of
pressure on space available, and in the interests of the welfare and happiness of
this particular class of patients. The Commissioners of Divisions were consulted
and, as might be expected, varied opinions as to feasibility were received. Gov-
ernment, however, considered the balance of evidence to be against the system
being adopted in Burma.
6. Factors affecting the health condition of patients.—In the Rangoon
Lunatic Asylum various sanitary details in respect to water-supply for bathing,
drinking and the washing of clothing require attention ; but under the restraining
influence of economy, for reasons above referred to, they remain unaltered during
the triennium. In regard to the water-supply, however, it was found possible to
utilize certain Berkefeld pressure filters originally obtained by Government for
other purposes, and to secure protection of the open well hitherto used for
drinking purposes, by the employment of a " Safety Water-Elevator." It is not
possible to differentiate the influence of simple protection secured by the later
contrivance from that brought about by the microbe police contrivance. The
following statement shows however definitely that, following the introduction of
these changes, there has been a remarkable amelioration of the rate of admis-
sions for bowel affections : —
Dysentery
And
...
...
...
...
Diarrhœa
RATE PER CENT. OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS.
1905.
15.88
1906.
5.32
1907.
2.31
1908.
8.09
7. In respect to quantity of water, there is usually during the hot season a
shortage, and this reacts upon the possibility of increasing the area under culti-
vation, and this, again, upon the extent of possible utilization of labour in garden-
ing—which pursuit is held to be peculiarly fitted for lunatics. Except that money
is apparently not available for the purpose, there is no reason why this lack of
water should be tolerated, as, at a slightly greater depth than the existing bottom
level of wells, there is presumably the same abundant water-bearing stratum
which supplies several bored wells in Rangoon. A proposal by me to sink a tube
or bore from the level of the existing wells was held by the Public Works Depart-
ment as likely to be as costly as sinking a new well. The matter was therefore
dropped.
8. In Minbu, the sinking of wells implies a greater possibility of securing a
mixture of petroleum oil and water than the potable fluid of the nature, quality
and substance required. The river in the neighbourhood is obviously open to
contamination, irrespective of its containing a large amount of silt, and has hitherto
been a source of water-borne cholera to the town. I therefore suggested sinking
an infiltration gallery in the sandy bed of the neighbouring intermittent stream
known as the Shwetachaung. From this gallery, the water is lifted by bullock
power to a cistern at a height commanding the asylum, where it is distributed as
economically as feasible for drinking and cooking purposes. Spray baths are used
instead of insanitary open troughs. The following is the Superintendent's state-
ment as to efficiency in working of the scheme : " With the exception of
temporary cessation on a few occasions for repairs, the pipe service has worked
very satisfactorily, and has proved quite equal to all the demands made upon it for
an abundant and constant supply for drinking, ablutionary and cleansing purposes."
As this is the first infiltration work properly so-called in Burma, although it
be but a small specimen, the adaptability and economy of this method of water-
supply is sufficiently demonstrated. It is true Prome is supposed to be supplied
by an infiltration work, but a study of the actual conditions shows that this is a