2
NOTE ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA FOR THE YEAR 1913.
Thus there has been a steady and rapid decline in the rate of mortality. In
this connection the work of the matron and nurses calls for favourable comment.
That the mortality in the female ward, where systematic nursing is provided,
should be only 6.85, while that in the male ward was 23.85, shows the value of
proper nursing in the asylum, and Major Sargent is of opinion that this system
of nursing should also be extended to the male side of the Asylum The subject
will be dealt with separately. In Minbu the health of the inmates has on the
whole been good There was one attack by cholera, which proved fatal.
6. Escapes and injury.—There were three cases of injury reported during
the year. The necessary enquiries into the cause in each case resulted in the
Asylum authorities being acquitted free from blame. Of the two escapes reported
in the Rangoon Asylum, one was due to negligence on the part of the keeper
concerned and the other to structural defects in the buildings.
7. Diet.—During the year experiments were made in the dietary of the
Rangoon Asylum. So far the changes made have been found very suitable.
Major Sargent believes in the great value of wheat flour as an article of diet for
insanes. Pegya was reported to have given none but good results in the
Rangoon Asylum even when given seven times a week.
8. Statement No. VI.—The filling in of the Medical History Sheets and
Medical Certificates leaves much to be desired and consequently difficulties have
been experienced in classifying the patients. The answers to various questions
are " not known " or else " left blank ". There may no doubt be great difficulty
in obtaining accurate histories, but when such particulars as " Sex " and " Distin-
guishing Marks " are not entered, it is very doubtful if any trouble is taken over
such entries as are made. The attention of Medical Officers will be drawn to this
omission.
9. Observation cases.—Eighty cases were brought to the Rangoon Asylum for
observation. An asylum is not a suitable place in which to deal with cases under
observation. Major Sargent, I.M.S., proposes that a plan, somewhat similar to
that in force in Bombay, where the mental condition of patients is certified to, by
the Police Surgeon, be adopted in Rangoon. The question will be dealt with
separately.
10. Visitors.—Owing to a large number of visitors being touring officers, diffi-
culties have arisen in the formation of a quorum at some of the monthly meetings.
The addition of a few non-official visitors to the list would obviate this difficulty.
Statement
No. VIII.
11. Rangoon.—The. total expenditure of the asylum amounted to Rs.
1,32,750-1-11 against Rs. 1,27,666-10-3 in 1912. The increase in expenditure
is due to the grant of house allowances to the second clerk and seven keepers
and servants, the increase in the grant of house allowance of the second
nurse, annual increments earned by the staff, leave allowance to keepers and
inclusion of certain travelling allowance charges. The expenditure on "Diet"
and " Clothing " has also increased during the year, and is due to the fact that
the number of convalescents fed on the new scale of diets has been large and that
cloth had to be purchased as found necessary owing to the closing down of the
loom-shed. Excluding book-charges and the pay of the Superintendent, the
average cost per head of average strength and the cost per head under " Diet"
during the last five years are tabulated below The steady tendency to increase
will have to be closely watched, and the matter be further investigated:—
Average cost per head
...
Average cost of diet per head ...
1909
Rs.
150
70
A.
8
7
P.
3
9
1910
RS.
157
63
A.
6
4
P.
6
10
1911
Rs.
170
75
A.
14
14
P.
6
1
1912
Rs.
190
77
A.
9
11
P.
2
4
1913
Rs.
215
87
A.
14
12
P.
0
0
In Minbu the total expenditure amounted to Rs. 17,164-0-8 during the year
under report against Rs. 17,143-5-5-in 1912. The cost per head of the popula-
tion amounted to Rs. 127-13-7 as against Rs. 125-12-11 in 1912. The excess in