21
18. The hospital is situated on the north side of the Shankarshet Road. It
was composed during the hot weather of chappar huts divided into compart-
ments, which were intended to hold one patient each. When the hospital, which
was increased from time to time, reached its greatest dimensions, there was
accommodation for about 50 patients, a numher which was exceeded for the
greater part of the month of April. At this time two patients often occupied one
compartment. The compartments were covered matting and mattresses were
supplied for the use of the patients. Cots were purchased for the patients, who,
however, did not take kindly to them. There was a plentiful water-supply.
19. Surgeon-Captain Beveridge was in supervisional medical charge of
the hospital up to March 30th, when he was succeeded by Surgeon-Lieutenant
Kiddle. The administrative medical charge of the hospital was held by a hakim
named Ainudin and S. A. Rayman, a pensioned hospital assistant. The treat-
ment of the patients was entirely in the hands of the hakim, who used native
remedies only. The patients had the option of being treated by the hospital
assistant, but none availed themselves of it. The hospital assistant was respon-
sible to the Plague Committee for keeping the hospital in a sanitary condition.
The supervisional Medical Officer did not interfere with the treatment of patients,
but no case was allowed to be discharged till he was satisfied that a cure had
been effected. A sufficient staff of subordinates was maintained.
20. Plague patients were allowed to have one relative with them in hos-
pital, but there was no regular nursing. A guard of Native Infantry was kept
over the hospital to prevent the entry of unauthorized persons.
21. At the beginning of April, when the Mahomedan Hospital was full, it
was found necessary to direct that cases among Mahomedans found in the
search by the military should be sent to the General Plague Hospital. This
order was withdrawn at the end of the month when the numbers in the Maho-
medan Hospital had fallen.
22. Appendix 27 gives particulars of the number of patients in hospital
on each day, while Appendix 28 shows the general results of the treatment up
to May 20th. From the latter statement it appears that out of 309 patients
found to be suffering from plague 122 were discharged cured, 179 died and 8
remained under treatment. Of the persons shown as cured, 48 were discharged
within 10 days of admission, and Surgeon-Lieutenant Kiddle considers that for
that reason they could not have been true cases of plague. If he is correct in
his surmise, the treatment was less successful than the figures in Appendix 28
indicate.
23. In the points of cleanliness and smartness the Mahomedan Hospital
has compared unfavourably both with the General Plague Hospital and the
Hindu Hospital. It has, however, been of immense value owing to the confidence
it has enjoyed with practically the whole of the Mahomedan community. The
majority of the patients admitted belonged to the poorer classes of Mahomedans.
No one would have been surprised if this class of people had obstinately opposed
the removal of their sick to hospital. So far, however, was this from being the
case that a large proportion of the patients were brought in by their relations
of their own accord. When the hospital was in danger of being closed for
want of funds, the Plague Committee felt themselves justified in making a
grant-in-aid towards its maintenance. The success of the hospital has been
chiefly due to the efforts of Mr. Jaffar Jussuff who, besides collecting the funds
necessary to finance it, has paid constant attention to the details of the
management, and has adopted, to the best of his ability, all suggestions made to
him by the Plague Committee. I have no hesitation in saying that there is no
Native gentleman in Poona who has rendered services of equal value to Govern-
ment and the public generally during the plague epidemic. Hakim Ainudin
appears to have worked conscientiously and to have been trusted by his patients.
Hindu Plague Hospital.
24. The Hindu Plague Hospital was erected from the voluntary contri-
butions with the sanction of the Plagu Committee. It was situated to the
B 1121—6