NOTE
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
FOR THE YEAR 1904.
In submitting the annual statistical returns of the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum,
I have the honour to say that I only assumed charge of my appointment a few
days ago, that I have been ablel to visit the Asylum once only, and that a limit of
two pages has been prescribed for these notes.
Statement
No. I.
1. Population.— The number of admissions and readmissions into the Asylum,
during the year under review, was 160 (137 males and 23 females), and the number
remaining on the 31st December 1903 was 442 (393 males and 49 females) show-
ing a total population treated during the year of 602 (530 males and 72 females).
Of these, 101 were discharged and 53 died, leaving 448 on the rolls at the close of
the year.
2. Escapes.—One criminal lunatic escaped from the Asylum and has not been
recaptured. The keepers responsible were punished.
Statement
No. I.
3. Accommodation.—There has been as usual considerable overcrowding
during the year, the daily average strength being 451.80, as compared with 426.60
in the previous year. The maximum number under confinement on any one day,
namely, on the 5th September 1904, was 462, while the estimated accommoda-
tion is only 416.
The construction of a new and larger Asylum has been sanctioned by the
Local Government. The need for it is urgent. A site for the Asylum has been
selected on the outskirts of Mandalay. The Asylum population has shewn a steady
tendency to increase during the past 10 years. Accommodation will have to be
provided for at least 550.
4. Works. — No works of importance were carried out during the year, but, to
partially relieve overcrowding, a cottage containing 12 cubicles for females was built.
Statement
No. I.
5. Recoveries.— The percentage of recoveries on the daily average number
resident in the Asylum during the year was 11.95, namely :—13.35 amongst males
and 1.83 amongst females.
Statement
No. I.
6. Deaths.—There were 53 deaths (48 males and 5 females) as compared
with 37 in the previous year. They were all, with the exception of two deaths from
misadventure, due to natural causes. Of the two deaths referred to above, one
died from compound fracture of the skull, caused by another lunatic hitting him with
a brick, and the other from compression of the brain from hœmorrhage, caused by
an accidental fall into a well while engaged in drawing water.
The death-rate per cent., which is the highest recorded since 1898, when the
figures were 11.92 on the daily average, was 11.73 as compared with 8.67 in the
previous year. This result compares very unfavourably with the figures of the
previous year from all the other provinces. The principal causes of mortality were
tubercle which caused 16 deaths, nine are ascribed to mania, four were from
dysentery, two each from diarrhœa, epilepsy, Bright's disease, meningitis and
dementia ; one case is ascribed to erysipelas, several cases of which are said to have
occurred towards the close of the year.
Statement
No. I.
7. Health.—The health of the Asylum has been very unsatisfactory. The
daily average sick was 31.62, as compared with 22.60 in the previous year. There
were in all 308 admissions into hospital as compared with 144 in 1903, or over
double the number of the previous year. The unhealthy conditions prevailing
during the year are said to have been due to the indifferent and bad health of
more than half the number of inmates on admission. Overcrowding also was an
important factor in enhancing the unhealthy condition of the inmates.
Statement
No. II.
8. Criminals.—The number of criminal lunatics remaining on the 31st Decem-
ber 1903 was 217 (200 males and 17 females). There were 37 admissions (34
males and 3 females), and the number remaining on the last day of the year was 215.
Statement
No. III.
9. Class.— The admissions to the Asylum during the year, according to class,
is shown below :—
Europeans ... ...
Mahomedans... ...
12*
18
Hindu ... ...
Native Christians ...
39
3
Other castes
...
85
Of the 85 " other castes " 71 were natives of Burma.
* Persons who conform to European habits are entered as European.