NOTE
ON THE
RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
FOR THE YEAR 1906.
Statement
No I.
1.—Accommodation, Buildings, etc.—(a) On the last day of 1906 there
were 493 inmates, against 466 on the last day of the preceding year, although
the total accommodation, provided at the small rate of 50 superficial feet per
head, suffices only for 429. Overcrowding was confined to the criminal and the
female sections of the Asylum. In the case of the former, therefore, any
unfavourable incidence was chiefly upon the males, who are usually of a more robust
physique than average civil lunatics. The highest number of inmates was reached
on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th December, when a total of 500 was confined.
(b) In the absence of increased and more suitable accommodation con-
templated by the erection of a new Asylum, it was ultimately found necessary
to arrange for transfer of criminal lunatics to the disused jail at Minbu. In the
latter months of the year, the necessary work for transforming that building for
the new purpose was in progress by the Department of Public Works ; so that it
is hoped that, during 1907, it will be possible to effect a relief of the present
undesirable condition, by effecting a transfer of at least 80 criminal lunatics. In
respect to the overcrowding of females, a dilapidated building in the existing
Asylum has been sufficiently restored to permit its use for twelve.
(c) An effort was also made to ascertain whether it were possible to board
harmless lunatics with private persons, under occasional medical supervision.
This has entailed a considerable amount of correspondence with various local
authorities, owing to its being the first time such a system has been mooted ; the
results, on the whole, favour the opinion that some arrangement in this direction
is feasible.
(d) Having regard to the contemplated erection of a new Asylum, every
endeavour has been made not to expend more money than is absolutely necessary
on the existing very unsatisfactory and insanitary buildings. Nevertheless, it was
thought essential to remedy the obviously gross possibilities of pollution of the
drinking water supply, owing to faulty methods of lifting, by purchase of a
" safety elevator." This simple mechanism has worked efficiently. The chemical
composition of the drinking water bespeaks more recent change of organic matter
than is desirable, and there is suspicion that the night-soil trenches may not be
unconnected with this. Experiments with fluorescene will be conducted during
the next monsoon. In the meantime, the trenches have been further removed
from the possible drainage cone. Having regard to the exposure of the water to
contamination, two filters of six Berkefelde candles each, worked by pressure
under hand-pumps, were put in use during eleven months of the year. The
Superintendent is of opinion that they have been a factor in diminishing the total
admissions for bowel affections. Thus, the rate for all " bowel affections" during
1906 was 53.23 per mille of total hospital admissions, against 158.80 in 1905.
(e) In regard to the proposed new Asylum, Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, I.M.S.,
was sent to India on deputation, with the object of comparing methods of adminis-
tration there and of acquainting himself with such structural details as might be of
utility. He produced, as a result of his inspection, a valuable report which treated
in a careful manner the various subjects dealt with, and will doubtless prove of
utility when funds are available for the building of the new Asylum. In the mean-
time, it is intended that the Department of Public Works should modify certain
cells of the existing Asylum, so as to arrive at a definite opinion as to various
details connected with the comfort, supervision and safe custody of severe cases
of lunacy.
2.—Diet.—This remained, as in the previous year, entirely a vegetable ration,
the albuminoids, on the system put into force by Lieutenant-Colonel Frenchman in
the Jails of the Province, being derivable largely from beans. I am at the present
time attempting to secure from China soy beans, with the hope they can be culti-
vated in the Asylum. These certainly would be the typical bean on which to rely.