NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
viii.
APPENDICES.
STATEMENT No. VII.—Showing the alleged causes of insanity among the Lunatics in the Asylum at Rangoon during the year 1895.
1
Cases.
Remaining ... ... ...
Admitted
Criminal ... ...
Non-criminal ...
Total treated ...
Recovered* ... ... ...
Improved ... ... ...
Died ... ... ...
Remaining ... ... ...
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
PHYSICAL CAUSES.
Charas smoking.
M.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Ganja smoking.
M.
12
1
...
13
...
2
...
11
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
12
1
...
13
...
2
...
11
Use of bhang.
M.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Opium smoking, ma-
dak and chandu.
M.
3
...
...
3
1
...
...
2
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
3
...
...
3
1
...
...
Opium eating.
M.
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
1
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
1
Spirit drinking.
M.
11
...
5
16
2
2
1
11
F.
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
1
T.
11
...
6
17
2
2
1
12
All other intoxicants.
M
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
Injury to the head.
M.
3
3
...
6
...
...
...
6
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
3
3
...
6
...
...
...
6
Masturbation.
M
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
Disease of the brain.
M.
8
...
...
8
...
...
1
7
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
8
...
...
8
...
...
1
7
Hereditary.
M.
9
1
1
11
...
...
...
11
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
9
1
1
11
...
...
...
11
Puerperal.
M.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Confinement in jail.
M.
...
2
...
2
...
...
1
2
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
...
2
...
2
...
...
...
2
Fever.
M.
7
3
8
18
3
1
3
11
F.
1
...
...
1
...
...
1
...
T.
8
3
8
19
3
1
4
11
Epilepsy.
M.
4
1
...
5
...
...
...
5
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
4
1
...
5
...
...
...
5
* Or discharged otherwise.
APPENDICES.
ix.
STATEMENT NO. VII.—Showing the alleged causes of insanity among the lunatics in the Asylum at Rangoon during the year 1895—concluded.
1
Cases.
Remaining ... ... ...
Admitted
Criminal ...
Non-criminal ...
Total treated ...
Recovered * ... ... ...
Improved ... ... ...
Died ... ... ...
Remaining
...
...
...
17
18
19
PHYSICAL CAUSES—concluded.
Sunstroke.
M.
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
Phthisis.
M.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Total physical.
M.
60
11
15
86
6
5
5
70
F.
1
...
1
2
...
...
1
1
T.
61
11
16
88
6
5
6
71
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
MORAL CAUSES.
Loss of property.
M.
9
1
2
12
...
...
...
12
F.
...
...
1
1
...
...
...
1
T.
9
1
3
13
...
...
...
13
Grief.
M.
22
1
5
28
3
1
1
23
F.
5
1
1
7
...
...
...
7
T.
27
2
6
35
3
1
1
30
Anger.
M.
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
1
...
...
1
...
...
...
1
Domestic trouble.
M.
8
1
1
10
2
1
1
6
F.
1
...
2
3
...
1
...
2
T.
9
1
3
13
2
2
1
8
Fear.
M.
9
4
1
14
2
...
...
12
F.
...
...
1
...
...
...
...
...
T.
9
4
...
14
2
...
...
12
Poverty.
M.
1
...
3
4
1
...
1
2
F.
...
...
2
2
...
...
...
2
T.
1
...
5
6
1
...
1
4
Religion.
M.
2
2
1
5
...
...
2
3
F.
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
T.
2
2
1
5
...
...
2
3
Total moral.
M.
52
9
13
74
8
2
5
59
F.
6
1
6
13
...
1
...
12
T.
58
10
19
87
8
3
5
71
28
Total known.
M.
112
20
28
160
14
7
10
129
F.
7
1
7
15
...
1
1
13
T.
119
21
35
175
14
8
11
142
29
Total unknown.
M.
189
16
28
233
14
14
24
181
F.
23
2
4
29
...
1
1
27
T.
312
18
32
262
14
15
25
208
30
GRAND TOTAL.
M.
301
36
56
393
28
21
34
310
F.
30
3
11
44
...
2
2
40
T.
331
39
67
437
28
23
36
350
* Or discharged otherwise.
C
APPENDICES.
xi.
Deaths during the year 1895.
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Name.
Nga
Kywa
Hmwe.
Potanah ...
Ko Kala ...
Shaik Nerra ...
Taw Lu ...
Maung Hpo
Myin.
Hannah Becker
Muneyan ...
Appanah ...
Ramasawmy ...
Ghulam Hoosain
Nga Ta ...
Nga Shwe Kya
Date of admis-
sion into the
asylum.
7th October
1893.
2nd December
1894.
21st Decem-
ber 1894.
21st June 1894
25th Novem-
ber 1892.
17th Septem-
ber 1894.
10th Decem-
ber 1892.
26th April
1893.
5th September
1893.
15th October
1894.
25th July 1874
16th July 1888
5th March
1888.
State of
health.
Fair ...
Bad
...
Bad
...
Bad
...
Fair ...
Good ...
Bad
...
Good ...
Indiffer-
ent.
Bad
...
Bad
...
Fair ...
Good ...
Date of last
admission in-
to hospital.
28th October
1894.
20th December
1894..
4th January
1895.
10th October
1894.
26th Septem-
ber 1894.
21st January
1895.
26th February
1894.
30th August
1894.
14th October
1894.
12th October
1895.
14th Novem-
ber 1895.
25th Novem-
ber 1895.
4th January
1895.
Age at
death.
Years.
31
52
40
25
35
45
31
30
21
30
60
72
45
Date of death.
1st
January
1895.
9th January
1895.
14th January
1895.
16th January
1895.
8th January
1895.
21st January
1895.
21st January
1895.
28th January
1895.
7th February
1895.
19th February
1895.
9th March
1895.
25th March
1895.
26th March
1895.
Cause of death.
Beri-beri ...
Debility ...
Acute mania ...
Beri-beri ...
Tubercle ...
Suicide ...
Syphilitic disease
of brain.
Tubercle ...
Tubercle ...
Tubercle ...
Chronic dysentery
Hemiplegia ...
Tubercle ...
Remarks.
Fluid in thoracic and abdominal cavities, also in pericardium, and some in
lateral ventricles of brain ; heart dilated, substance soft and flabby ; brain
soft and pale.
Much wasted; fluid in pericardium ; fatty heart and a theromatous condition
of aorta; brain soft; excess of fluid in lateral ventricles.
Œdema of lower extremities; brain soft and anaemic; fluid in pericardium,
thoracic and abdominal cavities.
Post mortem not made.
Fluid in abdominal and thoracic cavities; general oedema of face and body;
heart enlarged; tubercular consolidation of left lung.
Post mortem not made. Made a loop with his lôngyi (lower garment) and
hung himself from the horizontal bar of the cell window.
Brain atrophied; serous fluid in excess in subdural space and ventricles;
other viscera normal.
Left lung consolidated ; several vomicae of various sizes with calcareous de-
posits found ; some fluid in the pericardium.
Body extremely emaciated; pericardium contains serous fluid; the right
lung firmly adherent to the chest wall; numerous cavities of various sizes
filled with tubercular deposits; brain soft and anaemic.
The upper and lower extremities are œdematous; fluid in the thoracic and
abdominal cavities ; the left lung consolidated and a large cavity filled with
caseous deposits; brain soft, the lateral ventricles contained fluid in excess.
Post mortem not made.
Body emaciated; brain anaemic and soft; large quantity of serous fluid in
the lateral ventricles.
Both lungs were consolidated and numerous large cavities were found filled
with tubercular deposits; other viscera normal.
APPENDICES.
xiii
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
35
Mi Po ...
Nagaour Ahir ...
Nga
Shwe
Maung.
Nga Di Doke ...
Maung Lu Gyi
Seerungum ...
Nga Po Thaik
Abdool ...
Ah Sin Shok ...
Michael ...
Nga Nyo ...
5th April 1895
11th Septem-
ber 1895.
21st June 1871
11th July 1884
2nd Septem-
ber 1895.
11th Decem-
ber 1893.
26th September
1890.
19th Novem-
ber 1892.
3rd December
1894.
28th February
1895.
8th
January
1887.
Indifferent 29th June 1895
Bad
...
Bad
...
Good ..
Bad
...
Bad
...
Leprosy
Fair ...
Bad
...
Indifferent
Fair ...
11th Septem-
ber 1895.
19th March
1895.
21st March
1895.
2nd Septem-
ber 1895.
11th Septem-
ber 1895.
18th October
1895.
28th Septem-
ber 1895.
2nd November
1895.
14th Novem-
ber 1895.
18th October
1895.
56
20
68
36
45
46
30
29
40
50
47
12th Septem-
ber 1895.
13th Septem-
ber 1895.
19th Septem-
ber 1895.
23rd Septem-
ber 1895.
5th
October
1895.
5th
October
1895.
24th October
1895.
5th November
1895.
14th Novem-
ber 1895.
12th Decem-
ber 1895.
16th Decem-
ber 1895.
Chronic diar-
rhœa.
Pneumonia ...
Chronic diar-
rhœa.
Tubercle (Peri-
tonitis).
Chronic diar-
rhœa.
Debility ...
Leprosy (chronic
diarrhœa.)
Chronic diar-
rhœa.
Acute mania ...
Chronic Bright's
disease.
Beri-beri ...
Both lungs were found adherent to the chest wall; fluid in the pleural cavity ;
heart flabby; congestion of the intestines with large patches of inflamed
mucous membrane, in some places quite a foot in length.
On opening the thorax the left lung was completely consolidated ; the
right was deeply congested; brain congested.
Œdema of lower extremities; the base of right lung congested ; heart
large; liver small and anaemic ; large quantity of serum between dura-
mater and arachnoid ; brain substance soft; patches of congestion.
The peritoneal cavity contained 2 pints of milky fluid; the intestines were
matted together by lymph ; the mesenteric glands were enlarged ; in some
of the glands the caseous were broken down and ulcerated and the centre
was black and gangrenous; one of these gangrenous patches had evidently
opened into the intestines, permitting the escape of intestinal contents in-
to the peritoneal cavity and this was followed by peritonitis.
Body extremely emaciated ; there was fluid in the right pleural cavity, peri-
cardium, and a large quantity in the peritoneal cavity ; brain substance
soft; large patches of congestion in small intestines, also in large, most
marked about the neighbourhood of the cæcum.
Body very emaciated ; brain substance soft, fluid in large quantities in
ventricles ; patches of congestion mostly marked in small intestines.
Post mortem not made.
Post mortem not made.
Both lungs congested ; brain soft, the ventricles contain fluid in excess of
the normal quantity ; the intestines congested here and there in small
patches.
Body very much emaciated ; pericardial sac contains fluid ; liver congested;
both kidneys small and granular, substance degenerated, forming tough-
ened mass of fibrous tissue ; brain substance soft; there are patches of
congestion in large intestines.
Body extremely emaciated ; heart flabby ; fluid in the pericardium ; brain
substance soft; the abdominal cavity contains large quantity of fluid.
d
xiv.
APPENDICES.
STATEMENT NO. IX.—Showing the Cash Account of the Lunatic Asylum for the year 1895.
RECEIPTS.
Name of
asylum.
1
Rangoon Lunatic Asylum.
Received from the treasury.
2
Rs. 35,712-5-9
Received from paying patients.
3
Rs. 11,809-1-5.
Value of stores received from Manufacturing Depart-
ment less cost of raw materials.
4
Rs. 4,185-14-8.
Book receipt, i.e., the total of expenditure entered in
columns 19, 20, and 21.
5
Rs. 4,472-10-5.†
Miscellaneous receipts.
6
Rs. 3,012-1-0.
Total.
7
Rs. 59,192-1-3.
CHARGES.
Establishment.
Establishment proper.
8
Rs. 10,905-14-7.
Superintendence.
9
Rs. 3000-0-0.
Diet.
10
Rs. 17,879-10-10.
Clothing and bedding.
11
Rs. 386-4-3.
Bazaar medicines.
12
Rs. 148-8-2.
Contingencies.
Contingencies proper.
13
Rs. 3,391-15-11.
Repairs and maintenance.
14
Nil.
Rates and taxes.
15
Nil.
Remitted to treasury on account of paying patients,
&c.
16
Rs. 14,821-2-5.
Miscellaneous items.
17
Nil.
Total of columns 8 to 17.
18
Rs. 50,533-8-2.
Book charges.
Charges on account of work done by Public
Works Department.
19
Rs. 2,995-11-10.
Cost of printed forms and stationery.
20
Nil.
Cost of English medicines and stores.
21
Rs. 5,662-13-3.*
Total of columns 18 to 21.
22
Rs. 59,192-1-3.
Remarks.
23
* Includes Rs. 456-9-0 for cloth supplied by Insein Jail, and includes Rs. 4,185-14-8, value of manufactured articles made over to Asylum for use,
† Excluding value of stores received from Manufacturing Department already credited in column 4.
APPENDICES.
xv.
STATEMENT NO. X.—Showing the sanctioned establishment of the Rangoon Lunatic
Asylum as it stood on the 31st December 1895.
Particulars of establishment.
Superintendent
...
... ... ...
Deputy Superintendent
...
... ...
Hospital Assistant ... ... ...
Overseer
...
...
...
Sub-Overseer ... ... ...
Chief warder
...
...
...
...
Head warder
...
...
... ...
Cow-keeper
...
...
...
...
Barber
...
...
...
...
Warders
...
...
...
...
Sweepers ... ... ... ...
Number.
One
...
...
One
... ...
One
... ...
One
... ...
One
... ...
One
...
...
One
... ...
One ... ...
One ... ...
Thirty-four
6 at Rs. 16 each
13* at Rs. 14 each
15 at Rs. 12 each
Two at Rs. 13 each
Total ...
Monthly wages.
Rs.
250
225
65
60
50
25
20
15
12
96
182
180
26
1,206
Daily average number of males ... ... ...
Daily average number of females ... ... ...
Proportion of overseers to males
...
...
...
Proportion of male warders to males ...
...
...
Proportion of female warders to females
...
...
305.90
35.51
152.05
9.87
11.84
* Three of this number are female warders.
xvi.
APPENDICES.
STATEMENT No. XI.—Showing Receipts and Expenditure on account of Manufactures
in the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum during the year 1895.
1
Name of asylum.
Rangoon Lunatic Asylum.
2
MEAN POPULATION.
Males.
305.90.
Females.
35.51.
Total.
341.41.
3
4
5
6
7
8
CREDITS.
Cash paid into the treasury dur-
ing the year for articles sold.
Rs. 3,012-1-0.
Value of manufactured goods
made over to the asylum for
asylum purposes.
Rs. 4,501-13-2.*
Value of raw materials in store
at the end of the year.
Nil.
Value of manufactured goods in
store at the end of the year.
Rs. 463-15-0.
Value of plant and machinery
in store at the end of the year.
Rs. 2,000.
Total credits.
Rs. 9,977-13-2.
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
DEBITS.
Value of manufactured goods in
store on 1st January 1895.
Rs. 20-3-2.
Value of raw materials in store
on 1st January 1895.
Rs. 4-1-7.
Value of plant and machinery in
store on 1st January 1895.
Rs. 1,705.
Raw materials purchased.
Rs. 953-3-6.
Contingencies of manufacture.
Nil.
All other charges.
Nil.
Total debits.
Rs. 2,682-8-3.
16
17
RESULTS.
Excess of credits or profit.
Rs. 7.295-4-11.
Excess of debits or loss.
Nil.
18
Remarks.
The approximate daily average number of
lunatics employed on manufactures was 66.
* Includes milk, vegetables, and firewood.
xvii.
Abstract of Cash Account.
Name of asylum-
Rangoon Lunatic Asylum.
ESTABLISHMENT.
Total cost.
Rs. 13,905-14-7.
Cost per head of average
strength.
Rs. 40-11-8.
DIET.
Total cost.
Rs. 17,879-10-10.
Cost per head of average
strength.
Rs. 52-5-11.
CLOTHING AND BED-
-----
Total cost.
Rs. 842-13-3.*
Cost per head of average
strength.
Rs. 2-7-6.
MEDICINES.
Total cost.
Rs. 1,062-9-9. †
Cost per head of average
strength.
Rs. 3-1-10.
CONTINGENCIES.
Total cost.
Rs. 3,391-15-11.
Cost per head of average
strength.
Rs. 9-15-0.
GRAND TOTAL.
Total cost.
Rs. 37,083-0-4.
Cost per head of average
strength.
Rs. 108-9-11.
* Includes Rs. 456-9-0, value of cloth supplied from Insein Jail.
|
† Includes Rs. 914-1-7, value of English medicines adjusted by book transfer.
xviii.
APPENDICES.
Remarks of the Asylum Visitors on the Asylum Annual Report for 1895.
RESOLUTION No. 2.—The Committee consider the annual report for 1895 and pass the
following resolutions:—
(a) The shed accommodation for the protection of lunatics during the day is
still insufficient as was remarked last year. The Committee considered
the remarks of the Chief Commissioner in his Resolution on the report for
the year 1894 and, after inspection, came to the conclusion that it would
not be possible to use the space under the cottages for this purpose.
(b) A ward for the accommodation of supposed lunatics under observation has
not yet been provided and is required.
(c) The Committee also considers that an allotment should, if possible, be made
for the construction of four cells for violent female insanes. This is a
work of some urgency.
(d) With reference to paragraph 20 of the report, the visitors are glad to be able
to record that very satisfactory progress has been made in carrying out the
wishes of the Government of India in the manufacture of textile fabrics.
(e) There have been repeated changes in the holders of the office of Superin-
tendent of the Asylum during the year, and it appears to the Committee
that the charge of the Lunatic Asylum might well be made over to Super-
intendent of the Central Prison.
This may be possible now that a competent officer has been appointed as Deputy
Superintendent who has worked efficiently and has shown excellent results.
C. B. COOKE, LIEUT.-COL.,
Commissioner, Pegu Division.
HARRY L. TILLY,
Deputy Commissioner, Rangoon.
H. M. S. MATHEWS,
Deputy Commissioner,
Hanthawaddy.
R. DAVIS, SURGEON-MAJOR, I.M.S.,
Superintendent, Central Prison, Rangoon.
President.
Members.
G. B. C. P. O.—No. 411, B. S., 27-4-96—230.
REPORT
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1896.
RANGOON:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA.
1897.
[ Price,—Re. 0-12-0. ]
REPORT
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1896.
RANGOON:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA.
1897.
RESOLUTION
ON THE
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1896.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner, Burma, in the Judicial Department,—No. 9K.—3,
dated the 9th April 1897.
READ—
Letter No 1130-103 M., dated the 9th February 1897, from the Inspector-General of Jails with
Civil Medical Administration, Burma, forwarding the Report on the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum
for the year 1896.
RESOLUTION.—The executive staff of the asylum underwent no change
during the year under report. The population at the end of 1896 was 319 as
compared with 350 on the 31st December 1895. The number of admissions
during the year (92) was slightly below the average, but the decrease in the
number of inmates was chiefly due to the greater care which was exercised in
investigating cases of recovery with a view to their discharge. The Chief Com-
missioner agrees that criminal lunatics whose quasi-criminal acts were not
offences against the person may be discharged in accordance with the Bengal
Rules. It is the Superintendent's duty to bring such cases before the visitors
and the visitors should make their recommendations to the local Government.
2. Further additions to the buildings have been carried out, and when all
contemplated extensions have been completed there will be accommodation for
414 lunatics. The Chief Commissioner hopes that by the continued exercise of
care and judgment in the admission and discharge of patients the enlarged build-
ings will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the province for several years.
In paragraph 13 of his report the Superintendent estimates that additional ac-
commodation for criminal lunatics will be required within two years. The Superin-
tendent appears to have overlooked both the abnormal character of the figures
of admission during the last three years and also the fact that discharges may
be expected to increase now that the Bengal Committee's Rules, introduced in
1889, have exerted almost their full effect upon the asylum's population in retard-
ing release until after a probationary period of sanity has been passed.
3. The detailed statements accompanying the report do not present any ab-
normal features. The respective numbers in each class of criminal lunatics (as
mentioned in the note to Statement II) should have been given. The death rate
was below the average and the causes of death, of which tubercle was the most
generally fatal, were not remarkable. There was no epidemic during the year,
and the sanitary condition of the asylum appears to keep pace with the extension
of the buildings. The high mortality amongst the civil lunatics is doubtless
attributable to the neglect with which a harmless lunatic is treated before his
admission. In jungle villages such men wander from place to place and subsist
on charity, and in most cases no steps are taken to ensure their safe custody
2
RESOLUTION ON THE REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR 1896.
until some act of violence or mischief brings them to the notice of the authorities.
The continued decrease in the number of escapes is satisfactory. Of the four
who escaped during the year only one remained at large.
4. The large proportion of natives of India to the total number in confine-
ment is noticeable, and steps are being taken for the transfer to asylums in India,
of such lunatics as are more likely to recover there or to find friends who can be
trusted to take care of them.
5. The year under report was one of marked progress in the economy of the
asylum. Hand-looms afford a useful and remunerative form of employment, and
simple manufactures continue to be a source of profit. The development of weav-
ing in the asylum during the past three years has amply justified its introduction
in 1894, and the work should be further extended as opportunity offers. Receipts
on this account show an increase of Rs. 600 over the figures of the previous year.
The entertainment of a gardener on Rs. 25 per mensem will, the Chief Com-
missioner hopes, stimulate floriculture in the asylum. The cost per head rose
from Rs. 108-9-11 in 1895 to Rs. 111-14-2 in the year under report. This
increase, as explained by the Superintendent, is due to no change in the diets of
patients.
6. The revenue accounts of the asylum are in future to be audited by the In-
spector of Local Funds. The proposals regarding the pay of the Deputy Superin-
tendent are under consideration. The appointment has been held by three
different officers during the year and it is desirable that the prospects should be
such as to ensure a certain amount of permanency in the post.
7. The remarks of the committee of visitors were not received in time to be
embodied in the report and are printed in Appendix A. The Chief Commissioner
agrees with the Committee of visitors that opportunities for suicide should be
minimised, and when funds are available the suggestion to provide pumps and
cover the mouths of wells will be adopted.
8. The management of the asylum has benefited by the zeal and efficiency
of Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas, and the Chief Commissioner is glad to
endorse the commendatory opinion of the committee of visitors in this respect.
Sir Frederic Fryer observes with particular approval the attention which has been
paid to the discharge of persons whose lunacy has either been cured or so miti-
gated as to render them safe with their friends.
By order of the Chief Commissioner,
F. C. GATES,
Secretary.
REPORT
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1896.
Introductory Remarks.—This asylum is governed by a committee of officials
who meet at the asylum once a month, and whose proceedings are carefully re-
corded.
During the past year the asylum has been free from any epidemic. The sick
admissions and death-rate have been less than in the last four years and amongst
the lowest on record.
Manufactures have continued to improve; all the clothing for the inmates
was made by the lunatics. Notably during the last six months a thorough ex-
amination into the cases of every lunatic has resulted in the reduction in the
number of both the criminal and civil population which otherwise threatened to
exceed, by their ever increasing numbers, even the increased accommodation.
2. Situation, buildings, accommodation, &c.—The asylum is well situated
on high, well-drained ground in close proximity to the Cantonment.
During the year under review 28 new cells for male criminals, two strong-
rooms for males, and four for females were completed. Quarters for 12 married
and 12 single warders were also completed ; and a new hospital for 30 beds is still
in course of construction. There is now accommodation for 384 insanes in 22
buildings consisting of 204 cells and 15 cottages.
The following statement shows the accommodation available at the close of
the year of report and the strength of the various classes of the asylum popu-
lation :—
Statement of Accommodation available and the Strength of the various classes of the
Asylum population.
Accommodation
...
...
...
Population ... ... ...
Criminal
males.
154
143
Civil
males.
190
134
Females of
both classes.
40
42
Total.
384
319
The asylum cells are now on the whole satisfactory as dwellings for criminal
lunatics. The wooden floors of six cottages, to meet the requirements for dirty
patients, continue to be covered with floors of dry earth 4 to 6 inches deep. This
arrangement has given satisfaction in securing cleanliness throughout the year.
The shed accommodation during the day provided for the lunatics is still inade-
quate ; the further extension of this by two new sheds, though sanctioned in 1895,
has not been carried out.