( 2 )
supply the largest number of cases. The Superintendent is of opinion that want of
proper nourishment in previously debilitated subjects is the chief proximate
cause of derangement.
6. The mortality of the year was greater than in any year since the institu-
tion of the Asylum. Twenty-three deaths are reported, as against 11,—the highest
number in any previous year. Nine deaths were from general debility, 5 from
dysentery, and 4 from diarrhœa. Notwithstanding this, the general health seems
to have improved, for the number of admissions to the hospital was only 110,
against 216 in 1877. Although cholera in an epidemic form was present in the
town during part of the year, there were no cases in the Asylum.
7. From the cash account, it appears that the total expenditure of the year
was Rs. 17,419-11-7, or Rs. 1,987-4-9 in excess of last year. This is a cost of
Rs. 90-4-1 per head of average daily strength, as compared with Rs. 84-5-3 in 1877.
Contributions from friends of patients have risen from Rs. 186-2-9 in 1877 to
Rs. 476-4-0. The credit of this increase is due to the Overseer for his exertions in
collecting sums due in Rangoon. The Government was thus relieved of a cost of
nearly Rs. 2-8-0 per head. By manufactures, a profit of Rs. 2,798-13-8, as against
Rs. 2,733-9-8 in 1877, was gained. This is an average of Rs. 14-8-0 per head.
The total nett cost borne by Government was therefore Rs. 73-4-0 per head, as
against Rs. 68-4-0 in 1877. The increase in the charges is due to the larger
number of patients, the high rates paid for paddy, and the entertainment of two
night-watchmen during the whole year, instead of for only three months as in 1877.
8. The present report is much fuller than that of last year, and contains a
useful description of the buildings and arrangements of the Asylum. The returns
have been more carefully prepared, though they still contain some slight errors.*
No notice has been taken of the remark in last year's resolution as to the
incorporation in the cash account of the financial results of the manufacturing
department. The subordinate establishment is reported to have worked well,
though the number of escapes and the case of violent death which occurred cer-
tainly call for increased vigilance on the part of the keepers and watchmen. No
re-capture of the escaped men has been effected. One of the escaped persons
was not proceeded against, because he was sane at the time he left the Asylum.
This omission is to be regretted, as it may tend to encourage escapes. The com-
mendation bestowed on the Overseer, Mr. Robinson, is satisfactory.
ORDER.—Ordered
Visitors of the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum.
Superintendent,
ditto ditto.
that a copy of the above
Deputy Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department.
resolution be
forwarded
Sanitary Commissioner, British Burma.
to
the
officers
named
in
Commissioners of Divisions.
.
Deputy Commissioners.
the margin for informa-
Civil Surgeons.
tion.
By order of the Chief Commissioner,
G. D. BURGESS,
Offg. Secretary.
* In statement 1 the average percentages for the previous seven years, given in the last line but one, have
been worked out on a wrong system. The average percentage given in the returns is obtained by adding up each
column and dividing by 7: this gives a correct result for actuals, but not for percentages. The average percentage
of cured to admissions, for instance, is stated as 30.63 in last section of column 11C.; but, taking the last sections of
columns 3, 4, and 6A., it will be seen that the average number of admissions is 60, and the average number of cures
15.42,—the percentage being 25.7. The same mistake runs through the whole line of average percentages.