2
NOTE ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1915.
defects of the cottage in which the patient was accommodated and not to want of
vigilance of the staff. Another civil insane received slight injuries which are
believed to be self-inflicted.
6. Nursing Scheme.—This scheme initiated at Rangoon in September
1914 has been found by experience to work well. On the male side, an associa-
tion ward of twenty-two beds has been added during the year to the one of thirty
beds which has been in use from the very inception of this scheme. The
scheme may, however, be said to have reached its limit as far as this asylum is
concerned ; but in the new asylum, facilities have been provided for amplifying it.
It has been found that in the case of hospital patients, cellular confinement should
give way to association wards of reasonable dimensions with proper attendance,
day and night. This is a great improvement on the old system of locking up a
few patients in a small ward without attendance. Great difficulty has been felt in
getting fully qualified nurses which is chiefly attributed to the want of a nursing
home at the asylum.
7. Garden and Dairy.—In Rangoon, much of the rank vegetation in the
asylum compound has been cleared and additional area was brought under cultiva-
tion. In both the asylums there have been ample supplies of vegetables for the
asylum population and at the same time a good increase in the sale of vegetables
to the general public. Since June 1915, the dairy in Rangoon was able to supply
all the milk required for the asylum purposes.
Statement
VIII.
8. Finance.—The total amount spent for the upkeep of the Rangoon Asylum
in 1915 was Rs. 1,53,045-11-0 against Rs. 1,43,627-2-0 in 1914. The increase
is specially noticeable under Diet. The average cost per diet per head has
increased from Rs. 80-15-7 in 1914 to Rs. 85-12-6 in the year under report
although excluding the book-charges and the pay of the Superintendent, the
average cost per head of average strength of the asylum population has fallen
from Rs. 213-10-4 in 1914 to Rs. 204-7-9 during the year under report. The
increase under diet is accounted for by an embezzlement which has taken place
during the year and for which the Head Clerk has been convicted. The expendi-
ture under this head will be watched closely during the current year.
In Minbu, the average cost of diet was Rs. 45-13-3 against Rs. 52-0-6 in
the previous year. The cost per head of average strength has also shown a
decrease from Rs. 127-4-3 in 1914 to Rs. 123-12-2 in 1915.
Statement
X.
9. Manufacture Accounts.—In both the asylums suitable employment was
provided for those inmates who are capable of doing work, such as paddy grind-
ing, weaving, gardening, tailoring and cleaning of the premises. The Manufactur-
ing Department yielded a net profit of Rs. 16,516-13-10 against Rs. 13,888-14-5
in the previous year. In Rangoon seven looms were in use on the male side, and
two on the female side.
10. Staff, Rangoon.—Major A. G. Sargent, I.M.S., was in charge during the
whole year. The Deputy Superintendent Mr. F. H. O'Leary left for field service
on the 5th November 1915. His place has been filled by Civil Assistant Surgeon
C. S. Krishnasawmy Iyer, L.M. & S. This officer is reported to have displayed
great zeal and energy in carrying out his duties. His extensive knowledge of
Pathology has been of the greatest service resulting in the establishment of a
small Bacteriological Laboratory in the Asylum. The Matron, Mrs. H. M. Nunn,
and the Nurses have worked well. The Sub-Assistant Surgeons S. K. Bux and
Rustem Beg have also worked satisfactorily.
Minbu.—Military Assistant Surgeon G. W. Vincent was in charge from the
1st January to the 2nd August 1915. Dr. W. D. Jones assumed charge of the
Asylum from the 22nd August 1915. Dr. Isa Charan, Officiating Civil Surgeon,
Magwe, was placed in collateral charge as a temporary measure during the interval.
Sub-Assistant Surgeon Sheo Pershad held the post of Deputy Superintendent
throughout the year and is reported to have exhibited his usual keenness and
interest in the working of the institution.
A. O. EVANS, COLONEL, I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Burma.