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tamination beyond the small proportion that may come from those drawing water
from the wells. The bathing of the lunatics has always been carried out at a
distance from the wells, so I scarcely think the water could be contaminated in
that way. Lunatics are fond of swallowing or putting in their mouths other
garbage and impurities which might be the source ; however, during the present
year the cause will be strictly searched for.
Although the death-rate has been great, the post mortems showed that in
most of the cases the cause of death was more from some severe chronic organic
disease than from anything amiss with the sanitary condition of the asylum.
At the close of 1878 I mentioned that there were a great many cases that were
in such a weak and helpless state that they would soon succumb. The chief
treatment has been confined to improvement of the general health and bodily
disease of the insanes, and no emperical treatment of insanity, with the exception
of the use of various lypnotics when they were necessary and beneficial. Little
or any mechanical restraint has been used or has been necessary besides confining
some of the insanes in their cells when they were violent or dangerous. Kind-
ness and healthy occupation of mind and body diminishes the tendency to
violence.
18. Statement No. IX. shows the annual expenditure during the year, viz.,
Rs. 17,688-7-4, or Rs. 380-7-9 in excess of that drawn in the previous year.
This is due to an increase in the pay of the establishment of Rs. 27 per month,
and also due to the larger number of European lunatics during the year, the cost
of whose diet is much more. The highest number receiving European diet in
1878 was three, while in 1879 nine. The expenditure on establishment was
Rs. 8,065-4-0, against Rs. 7,855-8-0 in 1878, due as I have said to increased
pay of part of the establishment. The head jemadar's pay was raised by Rs. 5
and the 2nd jemadar and durwan by Rs. 4 respectively. One ayah was insufficient,
so that another had to be engaged on Rs. 14 per mensem.
Diet.—The amount expended for diet was Rs. 8,744-6-4, against Rs. 8,316-11-7
of last year : this was due, as already stated, to the large number of Europeans.
Clothing and bedding.—Beyond some gunny-bags for various purposes, there
was no bedding or clothing received during the year; consequently the amount
expended on this was only Rs. 169, against Rs. 458 of last year.
Bazaar medicines were also less, but contingencies slightly more,—Rs.
653-13-0, against Rs. 615 of last year.
The annual cost of each patient per head was thus Rs. 88-10-8, or Re. 1-9-5,
less than last year.
The amount received for maintenance of lunatics from friends was Rs.
424-8-0, or Rs. 51-12-0 less than last year. This is unsatisfactory, and it
certainly seems strange that such a province as Burma cannot contribute more
than this towards maintenance of lunatics.
During the year I have communicated with all the Deputy Commissioners
and Town Magistrates, giving the names of all thelunatics sent from, or belonging
to, the various districts, but with almost no result. Out of about 90 names for-
warded to the various officers, there were only two lunatics for whom anything
was received, and three given over to the care of their relatives. The amount
received was very little,—in one case Re. 1-8-0, and in another case Rs. 2 per
month. What has been received has been due chiefly to Mr. Robinson, the
Overseer, obtaining it from the relatives of those belonging to the town of
Rangoon.
If from the gross expenditure Rs. 3,150-15-5, on account of the net profit
on insane labour, and Rs. 424-8-0, received from friends, be deducted, the
average cost of each patient will be Rs. 70-13-5, against Rs. 73-4-0 of last year,
or Rs. 2-6-7 less.
19. Statement No. X. shows the sanctioned establishment as it was at the
close of the year. Very few changes have occurred in the staff during the year.
The jemadar went at his own request; the Native Doctor was exchanged; other-
wise, with the exception of a few recently engaged in place of others, the esta-
blishment has been the same throughout the year. On account of the number
of female insanes it was necessary to engage another ayah; also it was found