2
RESOLUTION ON THE REPORT ON THE LUNATIC
only slowly any positive conclusion that lunacy is not increasing. The doubtful
accuracy of the figures relating to the place of origin of the lunatics admitted,
which show one-half as coming from Rangoon, suggests caution in drawing
deductions from these statistics. Probably the real truth is that only a small
proportion of those who should be immured in asylums come within their walls.
The advantages of treatment are not widely enough recognised, and most of the
towns and larger villages could produce their tale of mental defectives who pass
their unhappy lives as a burden upon their relations or as the sport of the
thoughtless. Whenever reasonable comfort can be assured to these unfortunates
in their own homes, and so long as they are not a public danger, there is no
reason to deprive them of such liberty as they can enjoy ; but there are others, it
is believed, whose lives are spent in misery, and sometimes in chains, and whose
cases do not come to light unless they actually commit a crime. In the case of
these, shelter and kind treatment in an asylum would at least alleviate their lot,
even if it did not improve their mental condition. An asylum fulfils a much
worthier object in sheltering such unfortunates than in providing a home for
criminal degenerates whose cases require discipline rather than indulgence; and
the modern tendency towards regarding savage criminals as the irresponsible
victims of uncontrollable impulses may easily be carried too far.
3. The increase in the number of cases of insanity ascribed to drugs cannot
be viewed without dissatisfaction and uneasiness. The figures for such cases have
risen from 48 in the previous triennium to 87 in the present triennium. While it is
unsafe to place too much reliance on figures, they tend to show, as the report says,
that drug-taking in Burma is at least not decreasing. The Lieutenant-Governor
desires to impress on all Magistrates and officers charged with the administration
of the laws dealing with the traffic in these drugs that offences punishable under
them are serious and must not be treated leniently.
4. In the last report reference was made to the unreliability of the statistics
regarding causes and types of insanity, and it was expected that there would be
much improvement when the services of a whole-time alienist again became
available. In the present report, however, doubt is cast upon certain of the
figures in the statistical tables, and it is pointed out that they are in some
cases quite irreconcilable with the figures given in previous returns and reports.
The Lieutenant-Governor hopes that steps may be taken to have these statistics
carefully examined and in future compiled with accuracy. Most important con-
clusions can be drawn from accurate statistics. The extent of the accommodation
required for lunatics is dependent on complete returns. Proposals for variety of
treatment can be based on the results of experiments accurately recorded, and in
many other directions the necessity for correct diagnosis is obvious, but in the
Lieutenant-Governor's experience of asylum administration, the Superintendent,
however expert an alienist he may be, is seriously handicapped by the lack of data
as to the previous history of the patient. In many cases, of course, these data
are not procurable, but there are many instances in which the authorities
responsible for committing patients to asylums might have procured more
information if they had been at pains to do so. His Honour will be glad to
consider any suggestions which the Superintendent may have to make for
improving the previous records of patients on admission.