2
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE TRIENNIUM 1903-05.
an improved condition. Possibly, under the circumstances, and until the new
asylum is built, it would be worth while attempting the out-door treatment of
selected insanes *—a mode which has been successfully pursued in Europe. The
Superintendent of the Asylum further correctly maintains that he is handicapped
so far as statistical expression is concerned, by its being necessary to include
criminal lunatics in his returns, a condition not occurring in some asylums seeing
that these remain continuously for long periods. Thus, the daily strength of
criminal lunatics in 1905 was about 14 higher than in either of the two preced-
ing years. Hence, the Superintendent points out that, if civil inmates only be
considered, the cure rate of 7.27 per cent. is displaced in favour of a rate of
12.34 reckoned on their average daily strength.
3. Curative measures.—In regard to curative measures, paraldelyde is
regarded by the Superintendent as of particular utility in the mild cases of mania,
and he holds that hydrobromide of hyoscine varied by bromide of potassium are
also useful. As usually admitted, he believes that, whilst these drugs are occa-
sionally absolutely requisite where unskilled attendance is not available, they are
not directly curative. Liquor opii sedativus has also been employed by him as
a successful agent in melancholia.
4. Amusements and labour.—With the aid of subscriptions from the gene-
ral public, various amusements were afforded the inmates from time to time, and
were much appreciated by them. In regard to labour, Major Bell has consider-
ably developed the weaving industry, so that he reports that " practically all
the clothing of the inmates and uniform of the warders " were made in the asylum.
Under this head, there was a net profit of Rs. 616-1-3, compared to Rs. 402-15-3,
in the previous year. Lunatics were also employed in gardening, dairy work, and
other suitable light tasks.
Statements
Nos. IV and
V.
5. Age and occupation.—As to age of admissions, although no proportion
is traceable, it is evident from Statement V that, in the three years under review,
the bulk of admissions were aged between 20 and 40, that under 40 to 60 there
were considerably less than under that age period, and that under 20 years of age
there were least. There is no symptom of the increase above 50 years of age
which is said to be significant in Poor Law Asylums in England at present, as a
result of the increasing tendency to send harmless insanes to asylums at ages
when they become feeble. In regard to sex, it would be useless to draw any
deductions, having regard to the very mixed races treated to which reference has
already been made, and the small total of females received. Nor, indeed, could
any safe conclusion be drawn as to occupation in relation to insanity, in a
population of mixed races, in which the proportion of various occupations followed
is unknown. Without this qualification it may be said that of cases where the
previous occupation was ascertained, the greater number were cultivators and
the next coolies in all three years.
Statement
No. VII.
6. Causes of insanity.—The supposed causes of insanity are exhibited in
Statement No. VII. It might be possible to enlarge with due irresponsibility upon
the influence of ganja and of alcohol drinking and the use of other intoxicants,
but I think such a matter cannot be dealt with by treatment of the statistics of a
single asylum. What relation these influences have to causation will doubtless
be exhibited in due course, when dealing with masses of statistics available to it,
by the Government of India.
Statement
No. I.
7. Health.—The daily average sick rate was 31.69 of the strength, whereas in
the previous year it was 31.62 and in 1903, 22.60 per cent. I by no means regard
the longer detention of the sick, provided it be accompanied by a diminished death
rate (as in this instance), as significant of undesirable factors. It may bespeak
early detection of sickness and a better appreciation of the necessities of con-
valescents prior to discharge.
8. Epidemic diseases.—Four cases of erysipelas remained under treatment
from the previous year in January 1905. The disease was confined to females.
Beyond these cases, no epidemic occurred in the three years under review.
* This remark is not intended to be treated as a recommendation to Government, as it would be out of
place in this Report. This matter will be represented separately.