8
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1895.
40. The total mortality was 36; and in relation to the strength gives 11
per cent., the average mortality in Indian asylums. Five of these deaths, however,
were due to beri-beri, the result of the epidemic outbreak of that disease during the
last quarter of 1894 ; two other deaths were homicidal and suicidal. Excluding
these seven deaths, the mortality would be reduced from 11 to 9 per cent. Seven
deaths were due to tubercle, 6 to chronic diarrhœa, and 2 to dysentery, 2 to pneu-
monia, 3 to general debility, and 3 to mania.
41. The death from suicide was that of the highly educated Burman de-
scribed in last year's report as admitted for religious mania of an acute type, the
result, apparently, of studying theosophical views under an American lady. On
the 21st January 1895 this patient was found to have committed suicide. He
had made a loop of his lôngyi and tied it to a horizontal bar of the window in his
cell; after passing his neck into the loop, he had thrown his feet forward off the
ground and effected his purpose. This act was done in the temporary absence
of his private servant, the warder in charge of the block being engaged in another
cell.
42. The death from homicide was caused by Nga Po Thaung, a criminal
lunatic, suddenly becoming enraged with another Nga Palaing for remonstrating
with him for singing and making a noise. Nga Po Thaung felled and jumped upon
Palaing; he then knocked down a warder who attempted to interfere, and again
proceeded to trample upon his victim, and caused his death by rupturing his
spleen. Although there were several other lunatics in the shed at the time, none
attempted to interfere. The murderer had only been a short time in the asylum,
and had been quiet and well-behaved up to that time.
43. Beri-beri.—The history of the outbreak of an epidemic of beri-beri which
occurred and ceased during the last quarter of 1894, with its progress, symptoms,
causes, and treatment, were all fully discussed in the report for that year. It only
therefore remains for me to say that of the 215 lunatics who suffered in a more
or less degree from this disease, seven died in 1894 and five in 1895, giving a
mortality of 5.6 per cent. to the number affected. At the close of this year only
two lunatics are shown as suffering from this disease, and no fresh cases have been
recorded.
44. Statement IX, showing the cash account, &c.—It will be seen that
the total expenditure for the year, excluding book charges, amounted to Rs.
50,533-8-2 as against Rs. 48,416-2-0 for the preceding year, or an increase of
Rs. 2,117-6-2, which may be accounted for in the following manner:—
(a) The daily average population increased by 80 inmates.
(b) The revised establishment shows an increase of Rs. 2,449-1-7.
(c) The sum of Rs. 365-12-0 was spent on locks ; those bought in the
previous year being made with brass tongues, quickly became
bent and useless and were condemned. Those purchased in
1895 are made of galvanized iron by Messrs. Johnson and Com-
pany, Aligarh, of an improved pattern, are in general use in jails
and should last several years.
The deportation of lunatics to Moulmein and Toungoo on account of
beri-beri cost Rs. 802.
45. Statement X, showing the sanctioned establishment, &c.—Some slight
changes were made during the year in the establishment, which was revised.
The pay of the Overseer was reduced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 60 and an addition
of five to the strength of the warders was made.
46. Statement XI, showing receipts and expenditure on account of manu-
factures, &c.—The manufacture credits show a marked advance in comparison
with those of last year, being Rs. 7,295-4-11 against Rs. 3,600-7-3 in 1894. The
abstract of cash account shows a decrease in the cost per head of Rs. 27-10-5 as
compared with the previous year.
47. Concluding Remarks.—Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel
O. Baker was in
charge of the asylum from 1st January to 5th May, from 13th July to 18th August,
and from 28th October to the end of the year 1895. Surgeon-Major Davis was