( 2 )
A dead-house has also been sanctioned, but it is doubtful if there will be
means to erect it this year. If possible it ought to be erected, for it is much
required.
The wall sanctioned for the enclosure of the eight acres of recreation-ground
will not be undertaken this year, as funds are not available.
The whole enclosure is flat, but the natural slope of the ground, together
with open drains, seems quite sufficient to remove surface water and prevent
stagnation during the rains.
The grounds are neatly laid out in grass, with neatly cut gravel-paths
running through, adorned on each side with flowering shrubs. Large trees are
also scattered here and there, affording excellent shade and keeping the place
cool. The keeping of these grounds clean and tidy affords excellent and healty
light work to weakly lunatics. Mr. Robinson deserves credit for the excellent
order the grounds are kept in. The whole has a very cheerful and pleasant
appearance, and presents few or any of the appearances of a place of restraint.
2. Water-supply.—This is derived from three wells, and is reported to be
of excellent quality. There is at least no apparent source of contamination
beyond a little that may gain entrance from the mouth of the well. The wells
are masonry lined, with a masonry platform to keep the surrounding ground
from being soaked with foul water. These wells have been found sufficient for
every purpose,—drinking, bathing, and watering the garden. As the potable
waters of Rangoon are at present being examined chemically, it would be advan-
tageous to have the asylum water also analysed. They have been examined
before ; but in all such institutions the occasional analysis of water is essential,
and may bring to light impurities that did not previously exist.
3. Conservancy.—There are in all five latrines,—oneforthe criminal enclosure,
three for the civil males, and one for the civil females. The one in the criminal
enclosure has been found too small and is to be enlarged. Lunatics as a rule
have at the best little inclination to go to latrines, and if the accommodation
is insufficient would soon cease to go entirely. The dry-earth system is carried
out as rigidly as possible all the year round. The latrines are well constructed
and ventilated, and I have always found them clean and free from smell, coal-tar
being freely used. The night-soil is buried with a sufficient quantity of earth in
a secluded corner of the asylum.
The plan I proposed to adopt, namely, of burying it in a large pit with
sufficient earth, and then using it as a manure on the garden afterwards, I found
would not answer, unless the pit was covered in and the rain water prevented
getting in, otherwise in this rainy climate the pit would have very soon filled
with water. The night-soil in my opinion will have to be removed altogether
outside the precincts of the asylum, otherwise the ground will become too much
saturated with the night-soil. The same secluded corner has been used since
the opening of the asylum, and with the late new buildings the unoccupied space
is becoming very small.
4. Drainage.—The natural slope of the ground affords fair facility for the
removal of surface waters ; and in addition there is a system of kutcha drains by
means of which surface water is removed, and I have never seen any stagnant
water even during the monsoon. There is no sub-soil drainage : this is a fact
which I think is too much lost sight of in building large institutions in a damp
climate like Rangoon. Perhaps owing to the style of building houses in Rangoon
—that is elevating them on posts several feet above the ground—this is much
less felt than it would be otherwise.
5. Cleanliness.—This has been specially attended to, both as regards their
persons and clothing, and also in regard to the cottages and cells. The cottages
are washed daily with plenty of water,—a task both difficult and disagreeable in
the cottages of those who have filthy habits. I have never known the cottages
have any disagreeble smell. The cells are also washed out every day, and they
are frequently whitewashed and tarred to make them sweet and clean. The
lunatics are also systematically bathed : many bathe readily of their own accord,
but others require to be specially looked after. Their clothing is kept clean and
in good order. A tank erected near some of the wells for bathing purposes would