( 2 )
stores. Fifty per cent. of the deaths this year (according to the register at time of my
inspection) were due to diarrhœa and dysentery, and, as vegetables of good quality are issued
here in abundance, it is just possible that overcrowding may have had something to do
with this.
" Since writing the foregoing about the causes of mortality, I learn that but three
criminal insanes died during the year : still as impure air is very generally acknowledged
as an important factor in the causes of gastro-intestinal ailments, overcrowding, especially
with insanes, who have not infrequently filthy habits, should be avoided as much as possi-
ble."
Another died subsequent to the date of my inspection. The daily average
strength of the male criminal lunatics was 58.34. This makes the percentage
of mortality amongst them nearly 7. The percentage, taking all classes and sexes
together, is 10.73. This is considerably less than that for 1881, which equals
13.7, but deducting deaths from cholera a trifle over 7.
7. From statement No. IV I observe that about 14-15ths of the admissions
for the year under review were due to cultivators, coolies, policemen, and others
whose pursuits can in no way be considered sedentary and are not usually supposed
to involve much " exercise of the mind,'' at least not such as is " totally dispro-
portioned to that of the body ( vide Dr. Griffith's report, page IV). Statements
such as are referred to—apparently opposed to local experience, for I notice simi-
lar vocations contribute a like proportion in former years—require some expla-
nation.
8. The falling-off in the amount received from paying patients, the de-
crease in the " contingencies of manufactures," the unusually big sums under
charges on account of work done by the Public Works Department, and cost of
English stores and medicines as shown at statement IX, are not explained.
9. Finally the object of the memorandum appended to statement No. XI is
not very clear. The cash profit is obtained by deducting cost of raw materials,
&c., entered in column 12 from cash received for articles sold in column 3. The
net profit is shown at column 14. The actual profit seems to be something differ-
ent from either of the former. Broken rice should not be amongst the sources
from which profit accrued. Its value ought to be deducted from the cost of paddy.
Report on the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum for the year 1882.
1. Situation and buildings.—To again enter into a description of buildings
would be a work of supererogation as it has been so often and fully described in
previous reports : suffice to remark that there has been no change in those occupied
either by the civil or criminal classes. Two contagious disease wards have how-
ever been added during the year at an outlay of Rs. 6,400 and meet a want
long felt. Being built on the skirts of the asylum grounds they answer well, and
all contagious and infectious cases are now kept isolated, and an immunity from
dangerous intercourse with the other inmates thereby secured. During the year
they were used for itch cases, &c.
A sketch plan of the asylum enclosure and buildings giving the position of
the new wards is furnished with this year's report.
The asylum recreation-ground is at present enclosed with a bamboo hedge,
which is not sufficiently resisting to prevent intruders. I am of opinion that it is
desirable that the pleasure-grounds should be securely enclosed to protect the
patients from the gaze and impertinent curiosity of visitors and from the excite-
ment occasioned by their presence on the grounds. This enclosure should be of
a permanent character, about 10 feet high. Although the first cost of a wall
will be about double that of a fence of the proper kind, still its durability and
greater efficiency in every respect will make it cheaper in the end.
I regard the permanent enclosure of the recreation-grounds and gardens
in the manner suggested of great importance as protecting the patient from
improper observation, keeping out intruders, enlarging the liberty of the insane
generally, securing various improvements from injuries, and permitting labour
to be used as a remedy for more patients than could otherwise be done.
A circumstance of much importance has been receiving attention during the
year, namely, the steadily increasing number of criminal patients and the prospect