2
NOTE ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1909.
Statement I.
7. In Rangoon, the daily average sick treated was 19.64 against 22.33 in
1908. Except that there were 3 cases of anchylostomiasis in 1909 (the neces-
sity for care as to prevention of spread of which is duly held in mind by the
Superintendent), the causes of admission to Hospital did not differ materially
from those in 1908. The percentage of deaths from all causes to daily average
population was 9.37, against 8.62 in the previous year. The total percentage of
mortality, therefore, upon the daily average strength for 1909 in both Asylums is
8.10 against 7.42 in 1908.*
Statement I.
8. Treatment and its results.—No unusual method of treatment was followed
during the year ; as usual, moral treatment was relied upon as fully as feasible.
In Rangoon, the total cured was 39, against the same number in 1908, whilst
improvement was stated to have occurred in 33 against 26 in 1908 ; of the total of
36 shown as " discharged otherwise," 5 were transferred to Asylums in India.
9. Forcible nasal feeding of the nature said to have proved inconvenient to
suffragettes elsewhere, was conducted in 31 cases. In one, it was necessary for
sixty-four days ; for the rest, the average was sixteen days per patient. Amongst
the deaths, there were two from "general paralysis of the insane" ; in one, the
patient was a European and in the other a Madrasi Brahmin. In the previous
year's report, the existence of this disease in the case of a Burman was reported
as diagnosed by Captain Shaw, I.M.S., and he has recently also shown me the
case of another Burman.
10. Finance.—Rangoon Asylum continued to support its own milch cattle.
Unfortunately, the profits on this account were diminished by the death of two good
cows, owing to their being attacked with "foot-and-mouth" disease. Consequently,
in a turn-over of Rs. 6,840-8-2, the actual net profit amounted to only
Rs. 72-10-5. Vegetables to the value of Rs. 6,578-8-8 were supplied from the
garden of the Asylum to the inmates, as against Rs. 5,224-12-10 in the previous
year; and the sale proceeds from garden amounted to Rs. 743-10-3, as against
Rs. 630-14-6, in 1908. Had it not been for the lack of sufficient water supply,
this item of income would be much larger than at present.
Statement
VIII.
11. In Rangoon, the total expenditure under all heads during 1909 was
Rs. 91,863-3-4, and in Minbu, Rs. 15,504-11-3. Excluding charges under
superintendence the cost per head of average strength in the former asylum
amounted to Rs. 159-8-3, against Rs. 134-12-2 in 1908 and Rs. 145-5-8 in 1907,
and in the latter Rs. 114-7-0 against Rs. 120-13-5 and Rs. 89-9-1 in the
same period. There has been an increase under " Establishment," due to better
pay allowed the keepers and the increase in the salary of the Deputy Superintendent
on promotion. This was an essential requirement in the asylum management, but
has necessarily increased the average cost per head. Owing to absence of storage
for paddy, increase under this head also occurred; as market rates could be less
effectually dealt with. Receipts from paying patients have increased from
Rs. 23,147-11-7 in 1908 to Rs. 25,069-6-1, in 1909, largely as a result of prompt
recovery of maintenance charges from Municipalities.
12. Staff.—Captain W. S J. Shaw, I. M. S., held charge of the Lunatic
Asylum, Rangoon, from the 1st January to the 10th March, when he proceeded on
leave and was succeeded by Captain W. H. Cox, D.S.O., I.M.S. He in turn
gave charge over to Captain Shaw, I.M.S., on the 9th November. Both Officers,
in my opinion, conducted their work with zeal and energy, under disadvantageous
conditions in reference to unsuitability of accommodation. Dr. Wells was in
charge of the Minbu Asylum throughout the year. He performed his duties
efficiently, and deserves credit for the economical results due to expansion of
garden cultivation.
W. G. KING, M.B., Colonel I.M.S.,
Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals, Burma.
26th February 1910.
* The rate of mortality from all causes in the Lunatic Asylums for India during 1909 was as follows: —
Bengal, 5.30; Madras, 7.09 ; Burma, 8.10; United Provinces, 9.41; Bombay, 13.1 ; and Punjab 13.43.