2                        REPORT ON THE LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN BURMA

3.  Population.—The annual average population of the two asylums in
the last triennium was 1,059 ; it rose to 1,109 in the triennium under
review. These figures make it evident that the total accommodation
available at the asylums in Burma is far below the present day require-
ments. In Rangoon, the highest number confined on any one night was
840 (701M. + 139F.) against 813 in 1922 and 769 in 1921.

4.  Admission and Discharges.—The number admitted into the asylum
rose from 209 in 1921 to 225 in 1922 and fell by one in 1923 as against the
steady decrease (246 and 232 and 220 in 1918, 1919 and 1920 respectively
of the preceding triennium). The daily average strength has increased
steadily from 816.28 in 1918, 828.12 in 1919 and 855.90 in 1920 to 869.46
in 1921, 904.98 in 1922 and 952.37 in 1923. The maximum population
housed in the two asylums in any one night of the triennial period under
review is returned as 898 in 1921, 942 in 1922 and 972 in 1923 as against
857 in 1918—856 in 1919 and 876 in 1920. The number discharged
was highest in 1921, viz., 138, it fell to 99 in 1922 and rose again to 129 in
1923. The total number of criminal lunatics confined in the asylum was
433 in 1921, 447 in 1922, and 470 in 1923 against 413 in 1918, 411 in
1919, and 411 in 1920. The daily average strength of this class of
lunatics was 380.30 in 1921, 399.37 in 1922 and 420.39 in 1923.

5. Sickness and Mortality.—The general health of the inmates of
lunatic asylums during the triennium 1921-23, was satisfactory. The
daily average number of sick for each year is returned as 152.33 in
1921, 148.64 in 1922, and 122.63 in 1923. There was no epidemic,
though a case of chicken-pox occurred at Rangoon and one of small-pox
at the Minbu Asylum. These cases were isolated and successfully
treated. In 1921-22 when Rangoon Town was infected with plague, the
inmates were inoculated as a precautionary measure. All the inmates of
the asylums are vaccinated.

The percentage of deaths to the daily average strength during the
year 1923 was 9.74 against 7.29 and 7.74 in 1921 and 1922 respectively.
There was no death at Minbu Lunatic Asylum, while the number of
deaths recorded at the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum during 1923 was 80 (62
males plus 18 females) as against 63 in 1922 and 66 in 1921.

The total number of sick cases admitted into the Asylum Hospital at
Rangoon was 1,195 in 1923 against 1,192 in 1922 and 842 in 1921. The
causes of ailments at the Rangoon Lunatic Asylum in order of prevalence
were Ascaris Lumoriccidis, Influenza, Scabies, Constipation, Dysentery,
Abscess of Arolar tissue, Diarrhoea, Pulmonary Tuberculosis. The
usual treatment given to the hospital inmates was followed.

The increased mortality in 1923 was due to the poor state of health
of patients newly admitted and to deteriorating health of chronic cases as
will be seen from the statement showing the duration of stay in asylum
as below :—