2
REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF BURMA FOR THE TRIENNIUM 1918-20.
drew up the plans for the new Asylum, paid a visit of inspection in October 1920
and made some useful notes and criticisms on the buildings.
Major Shaw
negatived the idea of a steam laundry, which was not in the original scheme, but
had been suggested later.
Captain H. H. Robson, the present Superintendent, has made what appears
to me an excellent suggestion regarding the immediate future of this female
section. He proposes, instead of sending females there, that 150 selected male
lunatics should be sent, until the male section has been built, after which the
female accommodation would revert to its original purpose. He argues that
these male lunatics could be very usefully employed at out-door work, such as
road making, etc., in the Asylum compound, and being selected men would not
require an excessive amount of supervision. I recommend that this suggestion
be acted on.
Statement
I.
5. Population.—During the preceding triennium 1915-17 the average
population of the two Asylums was 684, while between 1918 and 1920, it rose to
833 an increase of nearly 22 per cent. It will thus be seen that there is a
widening gap between the accommodation and the population. In Rangoon, the
average population rose from 690 during 1918 to 739 during 1920 an increase of
7 per cent. as compared with an increase of about 3 per cent. in the accommoda-
tion. At the close of 1920, this increase in population reached 15 per cent. as
compared with the beginning of 1918. Obviously this means overcrowding.
The superficial sleeping space per inmate is nominally 74 cubic feet, but in practice
considerably less. To diminish this evil as far as possible, the two new day
wards were used as sleeping accommodation at night to relieve the congestion.
The increase has effected civil to a greater extent than criminal lunatics, and
has been confined to males, the female population having remained stationary.
The highest number of inmates confined in one night was 757, only 18 more than
the average population.
It is to be noted that while the number of admissions shows a slight fall
during the triennium, the average population has steadily increased, which seems
to point to an increase in the proportion of incurables, as compared with the total
population, or else a greatly diminished death or discharge rate But neither
death nor discharge rates have diminished during the triennium, and the
conclusion appears probable that the type of inmate is changing, and that the
Asylum is slowly filling up with incurables who remain there until they die.
6. Water Supply.—In Rangoon, this is obtained chiefly from Municipal
sources. Although wells exist in the compound, the pumps are so inefficient and
in such constant need of repair, that almost the whole of the supply for patients,
dhobies, cattle and garden, is Municipal, resulting in very considerable expen-
diture. This is being enquired into, and the Superintendent asked to submit a
report on the subject. The Minbu Asylum is also supplied from Municipal
sources.
7. Sanitation and Conservancy. —By continual scrubbing with disinfectants,
scraping, whitewashing, earthoiling, etc., the Asylum buildings are kept free
from bugs, vermin, etc.
The latrines in Rangoon are on the bucket system and the filth removed by
Municipal agency. Even with the greatest care, it is an unsatisfactory and in-
efficient method, but no improvement can be effected, short of installing a water
carriage system, which in view of the transfer of the Asylum to Kokine, cannot
be contemplated. In Minbu, the latrines are of the aerobic pattern and are
found to work satisfactorily.
8. Diet.—The scale of diet laid down, consisting of rice, meat or fish, dall
or pegya, vegetable, condiments, etc., was generally speaking satisfactory, though
somewhat deficient in fats. To remedy this an increase of ½ oz. of cocotine
daily was added in 1919. Permission was also given to Superintendents to vary
the diet scales within the total cost sanctioned. This is reported to be apprecia-
ted by the inmates of both the Asylums. Amongst dietary articles occasionally
given were ox tongues, ox tails, fowls, ducks, etc. Both Asylums were able to
provide an abundant supply of fresh vegetables from their gardens, milk for use
in hospital or for special cases was supplied by the dairy.