Change made in
the supervision of
the hospital.
New hospital at
Cossipore was not
occupied in 1876.
Inspection.
28
REPORT ON THE
From the foregoing it appears that the divisions stationed in the town and suburbs
contributed the greatest proportion of the admissions and deaths; but in last year's report
it was remarked that the highest mortality was from the Hooghly bridge and suburban
divis
i o n s .
Inefficiency caused
by under-feeding.
14. Regarding under-feeding, and the consequent inefficiency produced by it,
Dr. Woodford remarks as follows, viz.—"In consequence of the parsimony of the men from
the North-Western Provinces, who form more than three-fourths of the police constabulary,
sending the chief portion of their monthly pay to their families or homes, they reduce their
physical strength so much by insufficiency of food and want of proper nourishment that
they become anæmic and unfit for duty. At this stage they seek admittance into hospital,
suffering from inanition and extreme debility, so much so that there is often little, if any,
difference between them and kangalies. They therefore require spirits, milk, and extras to
be dealt out with no sparing hand." It is very necessary that measures should be taken to
put a stop to a practice which must impair the efficiency of the police force, and assist in
increasing the sickness and mortality in it.
Alterations. &c.,
effected and still
considered
necessary.
15. Since the last report, it appears that a dispensary (which was much needed) has
been added by altering and extending the apothecary's quarters, and Dr. Woodford consi-
ders the following alterations and additions to be still necessary, viz.—"The cumbrous and
heat-radiating pillars should be replaced by iron pillars as soon as possible;" "venetian
windows should be substituted for the heavy brick fret work at each end of the wards;"
the open drainage, so often complained of, on the north-western boundaries of the pre-
mises, should be replaced without delay by clay pipes of large bore;" "a gate to the
south-eastern end or entrance to the hospital is necessary to discipline;" "gas in the wards
would be an advantage, as well as more economical than the present unsatisfactory
burners."
Visitors to the
hospital.
16. The hospital was visited during the past year by the Commissioner of Police, the
Deputy Surgeon-General, and the Deputy Commissioner of Police.
Expenditure.
17. All the expenses connected with this hospital are defrayed by the Commissioner of
Police, and the sum of Rs. 16,989-13-9 was paid in settlement of them, in the proportion
for each item as follows:—
Pay of establishment
...
...
...
...
...
Rs. A. P.
4,862 14 6
Dieting ... ... ... ... ... 9,132 14 0
Bazar medicines ... ... ... ... ... 433 10 9
Contingencies ... ... ... ... ... 1,024 3 0
E u r o p e m e d i c i n e s , i n s t r u m e n t s , & c . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1,536 3 6
18. This hospital was inspected by Deputy Surgeon-General Cockburn on the 27th
January 1877. On the date of inspection Mr. Cockburn reports as follows:—"Buildings in
good order, wards and every part of the premises clean and tidy; patients comfortably
provided for with good charpoys, bedding, &c."
"Principal causes of death—fevers, dysentery, and diarrhœa."
"An ample supply of medicines, properly kept; instruments in good order. Results of
inspection very satisfactory."
Officer in medical
charge.
THE NORTH SUBURBAN HOSPITAL.
THIS hospital was established in September 1866, and contains thirty-six beds, which
were occupied during the year with a daily average number of 34 . 55 patients. Assistant-
Surgeon L. N. Bose, who has been connected with the institution since 1866, was in medical
charge during the year. Towards the close of the year a change was made in the super-
-vision of this hospital, regarding which the Civil Surgeon of the 24-Pergunnahs, who is now
t he s upe r vi s i ng of f i c e r , r e por t s a s f ol l ows : —" By or de r of t he Gove r nme nt of Be nga l , a nd
Magistrate's letter No. 417, of 14th December 1876, this dispensary was for the first time
placed under the supervision of the Civil Surgeon of the 24-Pergunnahs. Since its establish--
ment in September 1866, Baboo L. Narain Bose has been in independent medical charge, and
I believe much of its success is due to his skill as a Surgeon, and his care and attention
as a Government officer."
2. It was still a matter for regret that the new hospital at Cossipore was not
occupied during 1876, because, as Assistant-Surgeon L. N. Bose reports, "for want of funds
the Committee of management have not yet been able to provide the necessary additional
buildings, and pending their construction the removal of the patients into the new hospital
cannot be effected." He further reports as follows:—"I am glad to report that during last
year the Resident Surgeon's house and eight out of the sixteen out-offices have been completed
. T h e p r i v i e s h a v e n o t y e t b e e n t a k e n i n h a n d . T h e p r e s e n t s h e d w i l l s o o n b e c o m e u s e l e s s ;
I hope, therefore, that the construction of the additional buildings will be pushed on vigor--
ously, and the patients removed to the new hospital before the next rainy season."