2
NOTE ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1916.
the result of swallowing a domino. In neither of these cases could any blame be
attached to the attendants in charge.
5. Diet.—In Rangoon, the diet scales were modified during the year with the
best results. Increased weight and better health of the lunatics have been secured
by the change, the main feature of which is variety, and this has also resulted
in economy. The average cost of dieting a lunatic was only Rs. 68-9-9 in
Rangoon against Rs. 85-12-6 in 1915.
6. Nursing arrangements.—During the year, two of the European male
attendants resigned and in their place trained nurses were appointed, the Matron
being put in charge of the European male yard. These changes contributed to
better cleanliness and comfort of the patients. Additional nurses are necessary for
night nursing duty and proposals to establish a Nursing Home are under consider-
ation, but it is feared this scheme will have to be put off till the restoration of
normal times.
7. Garden and Dairy.—The garden was a profitable concern during the year
under review. Additional area was brought under cultivation in Rangoon, and this
has made the place brighter than before. The total value of garden produce was
Rs. 6,685 in Rangoon and Rs. 1,563 in Minbu; and of this, vegetables costing
Rs. 6,110 and Rs. 752 were consumed in the asylums at Rangoon and Minbu
respectively. The dairy in Rangoon was also worked at a profit of Rs. 950 during
1916. Though the yield of milk was satisfactory, the supply was not enough for
the needs of the inmates.
Statement
VIII.
8. Finance.— The cost of maintaining the Rangoon Asylum in 1916 amounted
to Rs. 1,30,657-7-7 against Rs. 1,53,045-11-0 in the previous year. The decrease
occurs under all the headings, but it is specially noticeable under book-debits.
Owing to the war, all non-urgent expenditure had to be postponed and strict
economy maintained, and this accounts for the low expenditure under the several
headings. In Minbu, the total expenditure amounted to Rs. 17,281 against
Rs, 16,148 in 1915, while the cost per head of the population fell from Rs. 124-0-4
in 1915 to Rs. 108-8-9 in the year under review.
Statement X.
9. Manufacture accounts.—Gardening, weaving, tailoring, paddy-grinding,
cleaning of the premises, as usual formed part of employment of such of the
lunatics as were capable of doing work. This branch continued to work at a
profit, the gains in 1916 being Rs. 16,324 against Rs. 16,516 in 1915. Ten
looms were in use in the Rangoon Asylum during the year under review against 9
in the previous year.
10. Staff', Rangoon.—Major A. G. Sargent, I.M.S., continued to be in
charge of the Asylum during the whole year, and great credit is due to him for
the able manner in which he has carried out all his duties and for the care and
attention he has devoted to the inmates. Civil Assistant Surgeon C. S. Krishna-
sawmy Iyer, L.M.& S , filled the post of Deputy Superintendentship with success.
The Matron, Mrs. H. M. Nunn, and the nurses, the Sub-Assistant Surgeons and
other staff performed their duties satisfactorily.
Minbu.—Dr. W.D.Jones was in charge of the Asylum up to the 26th
February; Civil Assistant Surgeon P. R. Menon, B.A., M.B.C.M., took over
charge on the 18th August, Dr. Isa Charan being in collateral charge in the
interval. Sub-Assistant Surgeon Sheo Prasad remained as Deputy Superintendent
during the year 1916 also and is reported to have worked with his usual zeal.
P. C. H. STRICKLAND, COLONEL, I.M.S.,
Offg. Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Burma.