From Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel D. SINCLAIR, M.B., Inspector-General of Jails with Civil
Medical Administration, Burma, to the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Burma,—No. 1635-110M.,
dated the 19th March 1894.
I HAVE the honour to submit herewith the Report on the Rangoon Lunatic
Asylum for the year 1893, appended to which will be found the remarks thereon
by the Committee of Visitors and a brief note by the President of the Committee,
who, like myself, was unable to attend the meeting at which the report was con-
sidered.
2. I agree generally in the remarks on the Annual Report recorded by the
Committee of Visitors, and advise that this body be requested to submit definite
proposals in regard to what they designate the four " most urgent wants of the
asylum " after they have had time fully to consider the resources of the institu-
tion when completed according to plans already sanctioned. The flooring and
walling of such cottages as need repair should certainly be put into a thoroughly
sound condition.
3. The reason why asphalt and cement floors were put down in some of
the cottages is given at page 3, paragraph 4, of the Report for 1882, but after
examining the flooring of the different buildings the other day, the present Com-
mittee concluded that wood was the most suitable material. The wooden floors,
after washing, were found to be free from all unpleasantness, quite as free as those
of cement or asphalt, and wood being a non-conductor, is less objectionable than
composite or metal floors, especially in cases where patients strip themselves and
lie naked over-night, as sometimes happens. If the earth beneath the cottages
becomes soiled in any way, it can be removed to the garden and be replaced by a
fresh supply. No other method can better meet the sanitary needs of the case.
On the other hand, drains and blind wells to collect flushings from the cell blocks
are a convenience, as constant digging in the neighbourhood of masonry founda-
tions would endanger these structures. In my opinion, however, the necessity for
flushing would be greatly reduced if saw-dust or some other absorbent materials—
Surgeon-Major-General Rice, when visiting the asylum the other day, said dry
earth was employed for this purpose in India—were spread over the floors of such
cells as are tenanted by patients uncleanly in their habits. The cells are floored
with concrete or asphalt, and for purposes of warmth I have long urged that,
during the colder months at all events, these floors should be covered with some
non-conducting material. About 7 per cent. of the criminal element and 18 per
cent. of the civil are unclean in their habits ; such should associate as little as
possible with those not afflicted in this way.
4. The scales of clothing recommended for Natives and Europeans seem
unobjectionable. They would be more complete if the material from which the
several articles are to be made was indicated. The bulk of the clothing is cotton,
and during recent years has been obtained from the Rangoon Central Jail. As
has hitherto been customary, vide remarks under Clothing and Bedding in previous
reports, the issue of woollen blankets and of spare clothing for use in the rains
will be continued. The Commissariat Department used occasionally to present
the asylum with supplies of damaged blankets. Until now the clothing has in-
variably been reported sufficient and suitable. The Superintendent proposes the
re-introduction of gunny as a material for night covering and day wear under
certain circumstances. In 1887, as two patients had hanged themselves in the
cells with rope manufactured from gunny, the following recommendation was
made:—
" The Committee recommend that neither gunny nor any material of a like nature
which can easily be picked to pieces and then twisted into a rope be used for blankets or
other covering in the cells (vide page 2 of Asylum Report for 1887)."
I have myself always believed that rope effective enough for such pur-
pose might almost as easily be made from cotton, and that the precaution the
Committee recommend was inadequate. For the prevention of catastrophes of
this kind we must rely largely on the vigilance of the keepers; still I would not
be inclined to lightly set aside the decision come to in 1887, and it would per-
haps be well to have the subject reconsidered.