NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
xvi.
APPENDICES.
Remarks on the Annual Report of the Asylum for the year 1893 recorded by the Committee of Visitors,—
dated the 21st February 1894.
THE Visitors agree that the most urgent wants of the Asylum are as stated in the
report, namely ,—
(1) more shed accommodation for the protection and confinement of the lunatics
during the day,
(2) an observation ward for supposed lunatics sent to the Asylum for medical
observation,
(3) some cells for violent and unruly females,
(4) a few strong-rooms for insanes with suicidal tendencies,
and they consider that better accommodation during the day is especially necessary.
Further it is desirable that the flooring and walling of some of the older cottages
which are in an unsatisfactory state should be put into a thoroughly sound condition.
The Visitors further wish to remark that they do not consider it satisfactory that the
washings from the cottages should still be allowed to " permeate the soil." They will
make proposals on this point at an early date.
The scale of clothing and bedding drawn up by the Superintendent appears to be
suitable on the whole, but from the remarks made in the report on the mortality of the in-
mates, it appears that it would be advisable to provide for change of clothing at various
seasons, and perhaps there should be spare clothing for use in the rains when the lunatics
get wet.
The remarks on escapes are interesting. The Visitors consider that warders have
been prosecuted somewhat too readily for negligence on occasions of escapes.
The proposal to have suitable attendance for European insanes will be considered at
some future meeting as the Visitors are disposed to agree with the Superintendent that at
present there is no suitable establishment for this purpose.
The Committee draw attention to the fact that in more than half the cases of civil
lunatics forwarded for admission to the Asylum no cause for the production of madness
has been assigned. While no doubt there are cases in which it is impossible to ascertain
the history of lunatics, the Committee consider that efforts in that direction might have
been more successful.
R. C. TEMPLE.
W. T. HALL.
J. W. WOLFE,
Secy. Insp.-Genl. of Jails.
D. ROSS,
Assistant
Magistrate.
G. B. C. P. O.—No. 943, B. S., 23-4-94—275.
REPORT
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1893.
RANGOON:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA.
1894.
[Price,—Re. 1-0-0.]
REPORT
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1894.
RANGOON:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA.
1895.
[ Price,—Re. 0-12-0. ]
REPORT
ON
THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1894.
RANGOON:
PRINTED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT, GOVERNMENT PRINTING, BURMA.
1895.
RESOLUTION
ON THE
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the year 1894.
Extract from the Proceedings of the Chief Commissioner, Burma, in the Judicial Department,—No. 9K.-3,
dated the 6th April 1895.
READ—
Letter No. 2026-98, dated the 22nd February 1895, from the Inspector-General of Jails with Civil
Medical Administration, Burma, forwarding the report on the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum for
the year 1894.
RESOLUTION.—The officer chosen by the Government of India to fill the
post of Deputy Superintendent of the Asylum arrived shortly before the close of
the year. In July it had been found necessary to remove the Local Assistant
Surgeon who in 1893 had taken the place of the previous Deputy Superintend-
ent, and from July to the date of the new officer's arrival the Asylum was manag-
ed by the Superintendent aided by the Overseer and the Hospital Assistant. By
the end of the year of report all the criminal lunatics who had before for want of
accommodation been confined in the Rangoon Jail were housed in the Asylum.
The transfer from the Jail to the Asylum was rendered possible by the completion
of the greater portion of the new buildings on the Asylum premises. There was
at the commencement of 1895 accommodation in the institution for 350 lunatics.
On the 31st December 1893 the accommodation was for 266 only. No criminal
lunatics are now confined in the jails of the province, and with the further additions
which it is intended to make there will be room in the Asylum for as many admis-
sions as are likely to be made for some time to come.
2. The new cells which have been built have, on the whole, been favourably
reported on. The Superintendent has suggested that the system of building rows
of cells back to back instead of facing each other with a passage down the
centre should be introduced into the Asylum. In submitting the report to the local
Government, the Inspector-General of Jails has pointed out certain objections to
this form of structure which will doubtless be taken into consideration when
final arrangements are made for the erection of the new block of cells. While
of opinion that due weight should be given to the consideration that the back-
to-back system provides additional light and air, the Chief Commissioner is
content to leave the ultimate decision in the matter in the hands of the Com-
mittee. The question of floors in the cottages has not yet been satisfactorily
settled. Floors of dry rammed earth, of the kind recommended by the Govern-
ment of India, have been introduced, but the experiment has been tried for so
short a time that it is impossible to form any opinion at present as to how far it is
likely to prove a success. The Committee have recently intimated that in their
opinion the removal of the sulliage water by a system of blind wells and drains
as indicated in the Resolution on the report for 1893, is not a matter of urgent
necessity. If, as appears to be the case, the sulliage water runs through the
RESOLUTION ON THE REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
3
floriculture in the Asylum have not hitherto been attended with success. The
Inspector-General of Jails should see if the services of some subordinate of
the Rangoon Jail who has a knowledge of gardening cannot be again placed
temporarily at the disposal of the Asylum authorities. A beginning has been
made in introducing the manufacture of textile fabrics in the Asylum. In view
of the expressed wishes of the Government of India in the matter, the Chief Com-
missioner desires that a sustained effort should be made to promote weaving
among the insanes. The statement of receipts and expenditure on account of
manufactures in the Asylum shows a net profit of Rs. 3,600 as against Rs. 3,283
in 1893. The expectation that the increase in the income from manufactures
during the year would be appreciable has not been realized. The failure to
obtain better results was caused partly by the sickness that prevailed during the
year, partly by the negligence of the Burmese Assistant Surgeon, who has since
been transferred. It is hoped that the Asylum industries will thrive under the
care of the new Deputy Superintendent.
5. After enquiry into the practice prevailing in Calcutta, Madras, and
Bombay in regard to the maintenance of lunatic ex-sailors sent to the Asylum
from ships in the port of Rangoon, the Chief Commissioner has decided that
the charges for such persons shall be paid by the Rangoon Municipal Com-
mittee.
6. The Asylum was throughout the year in the charge of Surgeon-Lieut-
enant-Colonel Baker, to whom the Chief Commissioner is indebted for an inter-
esting and instructive report and for the care and attention he has devoted to
the management of the Asylum, which has been greatly improved in respect of the
accommodation provided for its inmates, and also of the treatment they receive
whilst under detention within it.
By order of the Chief Commissioner,
C. C. LOWIS,
Officiating Secretary.
2
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
Europeans, and 30 new cells for natives, 10 of which are built on to, and in a line
with, the old cells, the other 20 standing in a single row by themselves.
10. The contemplated addition to the female enclosure, whereby cell
accommodation for 4 women will be provided, has not yet been taken in hand.
11. All the asylum buildings have, during the past year, been carefully mea-
sured by the Executive Engineer in charge, and the capacity of the various habit-
ations accurately determined. A painted board has been affixed to each building,
bearing an inscription giving its number, designation, and accommodation.
Former estimates of the accommodation of the asylum at variance with the
results now shown must be ignored, and the capacity of the premises, as set forth
in the following table of accommodation drawn up from the inscriptions on the
boards, should be regarded as authoritative, and, in respect of the buildings con-
cerned, final:—
Table showing the description and extent of the asylum accommodation.
Class of lunatics.
Males, criminal ...
Males, civil
Females of both classes...
Description of
building.
Cells ... ...
Cells ... ...
Cottages ...
Cottages ...
GRAND TOTAL ...
Old
buildings.
76
10
12
3
101
New
buildings.
48
36
...
...
84
Total.
124
46
12
3
185
Accommo-
dation of
each
building.
1
1
12
12
...
Total
accommo-
dation.
124
46
144
36
350
12. By the addition of the 84 newly erected cells the accommodation of
the asylum has been raised from 266 to 350.
It was stated in last year's report that the asylum had accommodation for
292 patients, but, according to the Engineer's measurements, there was on the
31st December 1893 room for no more than 266.
Further additions to the premises, consisting of another tier of 24 cells for
male criminals, and a block of 4 cells for females, are about to be made, and on
their completion the asylum will be able to provide for 378 inmates. And when
the new hospital is added, the extent of the accommodation will be such that
the entire range of asylum buildings will then be capable of receiving at least 400
lunatics.
13. In the following statement the accommodation available at the close
of the year of report is classified, and the strength on the 31st December 1894
of the various classes of the asylum population is shown :—
Accommodation ... ... ... ...
Population ... ... ... ... ...
Criminal
males.
124
146
Civil
males.
190
155
Females
of both
classes.
36
30
Total.
350
331
14. The buildings in use by the lunatics at night consist of 170 cells for
males, in each of which only one lunatic is placed, and 15 cottages, 12 for males
and 3 for females, with accommodation for 12 insanes in each cottage. Dur-
ing the day a considerable number of the lunatics live in the open air, while the
remainder are detained for safe custody in sheds with open battened walls, where
employment is found for them.
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
7
ably among the best that can be found for lunatics, it was not considered ex-
pedient to attempt the introduction of textile manufactures generally.
39. The lunatics were, as far as possible, provided with employment of a
profitable kind, but that the work given them to do should be beneficial as well
as profitable was steadfastly held in view. Large numbers were employed in the
gardens both in the raising of vegetable produce and in floriculture, but the ut-
most disappointment was here met with. The rose trees planted out withered,
and the vegetables, sown in the most fertile of soils, rotted or were devoured by
grubs. None of the asylum officials possessed any special knowledge of gar-
dening, and, as misfortune and ignorance were joined together, it is not surprising
the results obtained were unsatisfactory. The services of a warder skilled in
gardening were, through the kindness of the Superintendent of the Jail, lent to
the asylum, but before he had been long at work it was found necessary to recall
him.
The importance of encouraging the various branches of horticulture adapted
to the intelligence of the lunatics has been strongly impressed upon the present
Deputy Superintendent.
40. Asylum cattle.—At the opening of the year the asylum owned 13 cows
and 14 calves, of which 2 cows and 5 calves died, and 1 cow and 5 calves were
sold during the year.
A fine young bull and milch cow with her calf were bought, 2 of the 14
heifers owned at the opening of the year (having produced calves) were taken on
the books as cows, and 11 calves were born, so that the asylum at the close of
the year possessed 13 cows, 14 calves, and a bull.
The money realized in cash sales and book transfer by the disposal of milk
and sale of cattle, and the net profits arising from the possession of the herd
during the year 1894 are given below:—
(1) Received and paid into the treasury, being value of milk sold
to the public ... ... ... ...
(2) Value of milk supplied to the asylum and adjusted by book
transfer ... ... ... ...
(3) Realized by sale of cattle ... ... ...
Total ...
Cost of feeding cows ... ... ... ...
Price paid for cattle purchased ... ... ...
Salary of milkman ... ... ... ...
Total ...
Net profit ...
Rs.
942
903
96
1,942
Rs.
453
250
180
883
1,058
A.
9
13
0
6
A.
8
0
0
8
14
P.
4
4
0
8
P.
0
0
0
0
8
41. The net results of the asylum milk business for the past three years
are contrasted in the following statement:—
Milk sold to the public ... ... ...
Milk sold to the asylum ... ... ...
Realized by sale of cattle ... ... ...
Total ...
Cost of feeding cattle ... ... ...
Salary of cow-man ... ... ...
Purchase of cattle ... ... ...
Total ...
Net profit ...
1892.
Rs.
986
690
A.
11
12
P.
0
9
......
1,677
569
180
7
13
0
9
0
0
......
749
927
13
10
0
9
1893.
Rs.
829
713
A.
4
12
P.
9
0
......
1,543
223
180
245
648
894
0
3
0
0
3
13
9
0
0
0
0
9
1894.
Rs.
942
903
96
1,942
453
180
250
883
1,058
A.
9
13
0
6
8
0
0
8
14
P.
4
4
0
8
0
0
0
0
8
42. General treatment.—From a hygienic point of view the general treat-
ment of the insanes leaves little to be desired. As idleness, which is a curse to
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
9
Statement of lunatics who escaped from the custody of the asylum authorities during the year 1894.
Serial No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Names.
Kaw Warrah ...
Nga Shwe Hpaw
Ko Yœ ...
Nga Maung ...
Kong Cheong...
Radoon Naik ...
Sanda ...
Runga swamy
alias Chinnappa
Nana
...
Class.
Civil ...
Do.
...
Do.
...
Criminal
Civil ...
Do.
...
Do.
...
Supposed
insane.
Civil ...
Disease.
Toxic insanity
Dementia ...
Melancholia
Mania ...
Do. ...
Melancholia...
Mania ...
...
Mania ...
Mental condition
at the time of
escape.
Insane; was sick in
hospital.
Insane; employed in
gardening.
Ditto ...
Sane ...
Insane; quiet and
harmless.
Ditto
Insane; noisy and
troublesome.
......
Improved mentally,
otherwise quiet.
Date of
admission into
the asylum.
23rd May 1873
3rd January
1888.
15th December
1884.
26th
October
1889.
10th November
1891.
26th September
1892.
28th March 1890
10th December
1894.
19th October
1894.
Date of escape.
14th March 1894
20th March 1894
11th May 1894
24th June 1894
12th September
1894.
17th November
1894.
22nd November
1894.
13th December
1894.
26th December
1894.
Date of
recapture.
15th March 1894
At large ...
13th May 1894...
At large ...
12th September
1894.
24th November
1894.
Ditto ...
At large ...
Ditto ...
Remarks.
Escaped from the asylum hospital. The warder at fault
absconded.
Escaped from No. 2 garden, where he was employed in draw-
ing water. The man is still at large.
Escaped from No. 1 garden, where he was at work.
Escaped from the civil side of the asylum, where he was, and
had been for some time past, employed in looking after and
supervising the work of other lunatics. He is still at large.
Escaped from a private compound, where he with five other
lunatics in charge of one warder, was at work.
Escaped as he was returning from work at the General
Hospital. While at large he was arrested by the police for
theft and taken before a Magistrate, by whom he was sen-
tenced to be flogged. The unrecognized lunatic was accord-
ingly conveyed to jail to be whipped on the following
morning. The asylum officials hearing late in the day
what had happened, forthwith communicated the facts to
the District Magistrate, who proceeded to the jail during
the night and stayed execution of the sentence. The ward-
er through whose negligence this escape took place was
dismissed.
Escaped in the early morning during the unlocking of the
cells in the civil section.
Escaped from a temporary enclosure put up in connection
with the outbreak of beriberi.
Escaped from the asylum while engaged drawing water from
the civil enclosure well.
3
10
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
53. Statements I and II, showing the admissions, discharges, &c.—Anad-
ministrative project, long contemplated, was carried out during the year of report
by which the removal took place into the asylum, as a permanent measure, of all
the criminal lunatics, 62 in number, confined in the Rangoon Jail; consequently
remarks bearing on the detention in jails of criminal lunatics should no longer be
made.
The occurrence furnishes an explanation of the large increase in the number
of admissions and of those remaining at the close of the year, shown in State-
ments I and II.
That the asylum, since it is the only institution of its kind in Burma, is
capable of accommodating, and now has within its walls, the entire criminal
insane population of the province must be a source of satisfaction.
The total number of lunatics in confinement in Burma, shown for the first
time in these statements, was, on the last day of the year, 331, of whom 154 were
of the criminal and 177 of the civil class.
The other figures in these two statements speak for themselves and require
no comment.
54. In last year's report a separate table was furnished giving some in-
formation relating to the number of civil insanes admitted into the asylum from
among the civil classes of the population, and a similar table is again supplied.
Statement showing the entire population of the asylum and its division into Criminal
and Civil classes for the past 10 years.
Years.
1885
...
...
1886 ... ...
1887
...
...
1888 ... ...
1889 ... ...
1890 ... ...
1891 ... ...
1892
...
...
1893 ... ...
1894 ... ...
1
RELATING TO THE ENTIRE
POPULATION OF THE
ASYLUM.
Remaining on 1st
January.
182
202
227
225
233
258
251
254
265
253
Admitted.
72
79
96
98
100
96
84
102
69
152
Discharged and
died.
52
54
98
90
75
103
81
91
81
74
Remaining on 31st
December.
202
227
225
233
258
251
254
265
253
331
2
RELATING ONLY TO THE
CRIMINAL CLASSES OF
THE POPULATION.
Remaining on 1st
January.
61
62
72
77
92
99
93
92
81
84
Admitted.
16
20
28
38
31
14
6
19
18
85
Discharged and
died.
15
10
23
23
24
20
7
30
15
15
Remaining on 31st
December.
62
72
77
92
99
93
92
81
84
154
3
DIFFRTENCE BETWEEN
COLUMNS 1 & 2 WHICH
RELATES ONLY TO CIVIL
INSANES.
Remaining on 1st
January.
121
140
155
148
141
159
158
162
184
169
Admitted.
56
59
68
60
69
82
78
83
51
67
Discharged and
died.
37
44
75
67
51
83
74
61
66
59
Remaining on 31st
December.
140
155
148
141
159
158
162
184
169
177
55. It will be seen that the figures in column 3 which refer to the year 1894
support the view put forward in last year's report that as the number of discharges
was not likely to greatly fall short of or exceed an average deduced from the figures
of the last few years, therefore, unless the admissions became more numerous,
the population was not likely to undergo any material increase.
56. Whereas accommodation has invariably been found in the asylum for
all the civil lunatics in the province detained under magisterial order, it is not so
with the criminal lunatics.
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
11
The number of criminal lunatics in confinement in Burma on the 31st De-
cember 1894 is shown to have been 154. To ascertain, however, how many there
were at the close of previous years, it is necessary to bring together the returns of
the jail and those of the asylum.
Number of criminal lunatics in confinement at the close of each year for the past three
years.
Asylum ... ... ... ...
Jail ... ... ... ... ...
Total ...
1892.
81
65
146
1893.
84
62
146
1894.
154
...
154
57. Supposed lunatics.—The following table shows the number of supposed
insanes arrested by the police in Rangoon during the last three years and sent
into the asylum for observation and report:—
Statement relating to supposed lunatics sent to the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum for
observation and report.
Years.
1892 ... ...
1893 ... ...
1894 ... ...
Total number.
23
49
49
Number declared
insane and
subsequently
admitted.
19
31
34
Number released on
security, reported
sane, and otherwise
discharged.
4
18
15
Percentage of
admissions into
asylum.
83
63
69
It will be seen that the figures for last year correspond very closely with those
of the preceding year. The names of supposed lunatics are not entered in the
asylum registers of the insane, consequently the 15 temporary inmates of the
asylum shown in the fourth column of this table are not included in any of the
prescribed annual statements which accompany this report.
58. Six of those released were pronounced sane. These sane men had
been arrested for various causes, such as quarrelling, or other passionate conduct
of a purely temporary kind; one was evidently arrested while under the influence
of drink; and another, a Chinaman, who, according to the police sheet, was con-
sidered insane because of his " deeds and behaviour," asserted he was brought
to the asylum in consequence of his refusal to satisfy an illegal demand.
59. In a footnote to Statement II certain particulars relating to the crimi-
nal lunatics admitted during the year are invited, and these are furnished in the
following table :—
Concerning the criminal lunatics admitted into the asylum during the year 1894.
Those tried and acquitted
on the ground of
insanity.
Males.
46
Females.
1
Total.
47
Those insane on admis-
sion and found to be
incapable of making
their defence.
Males.
29
Females.
2
Total.
31
Those who became
insane during im-
prisonment.
Males.
7
Females.
...
Total.
7
Total of all classes.
Males.
82
Females.
3
Total.
85
20
REPORT ON THE RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM FOR THE YEAR 1894.
116. On the 23rd December 1894 1st grade Assistant Surgeon Reilly,
who had been appointed to the asylum by the Government of India, arrived and
assumed charge of his duties. From this date the allowance given to the Over-
seer of Rs. 50 per mensem was withdrawn, and it has since been notified to him
that his services will be dispensed with.
117. The strength of the force of warders is not yet adequate, and a cer-
tain amount of dissatisfaction prevails amongst the men. But the revision of
the asylum establishment, rendered necessary by the extension of the asylum and
by the arrival from India of Assistant Surgeon Reilly, is now receiving the atten-
tion of the asylum Committee of Visitors and the recommendations they may make
will shortly be placed before the local Government. When the Overseer leaves,
it will be absolutely necessary to secure the services of a clerk, for the clerical
work in the office, which is very heavy, should no longer be performed in the
unsatisfactory manner in which it has hitherto been carried on.
118. Statement XI, showing receipts and expenditure on account of manu-
factures, &c.—The manufacture credits, considered as a whole, show an advance
for the year of report in comparison with the preceding year of Rs. 410-3-5.
The profits arising from the cultivation of vegetables increased by nearly
Rs. 300 and slightly better results were obtained in the operations relating to the
yield of milk.
119. The abstract of cash account which was unfortunately overlooked
last year is furnished for the year of report.
RANGOON LUNATIC ASYLUM :
The 6th February 1895.
OSWALD BAKER,
Superintendent.