8. There were 43 fatal cases of cholera out of a total of 187 deaths for
the year, and as 73 cases were treated the death-rate from cholera was 589·04
per thousand, the average annual death-rate from the same disease for the ten
previous years having been 513·88 per mille. Of the cases of cholera treated,
65 were received direct from the shipping, six from various parts of the town,
and two cases were attacked while in hospital, one with diarrhœa and the other
with dysentery, and these two cases occurred in a particular block of the build-
- i n g i n t o w h i c h s u c h c a s e s a r e n e v e r i n t e n t i o n a l l y a d m i t t e d .
9.
The moorings of the ships from which cases of cholera were admitted
were as follow, but the number of men in ships off each mooring is not given:—
CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
19
From the above table it appears that, not only has there been a large
increase in the total number of seamen treated, but also that, notwithstanding
a simultaneous increase in the male patients of other classes, the proportion
of seamen to the total number of males received into the European wards
has also been much greater than in previous years.
Of the 4,613 patients treated in the European wards, 187 died, or 40·5
per 1,000 treated, the average rate for ten years previous having been 51·17
per mille.
5. Among 531 patients treated in Sumbhoo Nath Pundit's ward, 41
deaths occurred, or 77·2 per 1,000 treated. This large mortality is no doubt
owing to the number of patients who came into hospital in an advanced
state of disease, as a last resource after all other modes of treatment had
been tried. In the European wards 155 men, 14 women, and 18 children died
; in Sumbhoo Nath Pundit's ward 39 men, 1 woman, and 1 child.
6. Dr. Raye gives the following table showing the results of the year
1877 contrasted with the previous one in reference to some of the most common
diseases:—
Malarial fevers,
excluding re-
mittent.
Dysentery.
Diarrhœa.
Respiratory affec
-tions, excluding
phthisis.
Venereal disease
including go-
norrhœa.
Injuries.
1876 ...
. . .
634
218
212
198
222
205
1877 ...
. . .
1,044
370
328
232
231
204
Increase
. . .
410
152
116
34
9
. . .
Decrease
...
......
......
......
......
. . . . . .
1
During August, September, and October a severe type of malarial fever
was epidemic resembling Dengue in many points, and being frequently
accompanied by an eruption. The attack lasted for a few days, and was
frequently followed by one or more relapses.
7. Dr. Raye gives his opinion as to the value of the Mixed Cinchona
Alkaloids manufactured at the Government Plantation at Rungbee as follows
—
"In conformity with the wishes of the medical authorities, Cinchona
Febrifuge has been largely used in the hospital during the year. It was found
to be a valuable remedy in suitable cases, and the expenditure of quinine has
in consequence been much reduced. Indeed, the experience of the year in the
use of the cinchona febrifuge at this hospital justifies the conclusion that in the
great majority of ordinary malarious affections it may be confidently adminis--
tered where heretofore the more expensive preparation has been resorted to."
Patients treated
at Sumbhoo Nath
Pundit's ward.
Admissions for
the most
common diseases.
Cinchona
Febrifuge.
Localities from
which cholera
patients were
admitted.
Cholera.
Cases.
Esplanade moorings
. . .
. . .
. . .
1 6
Jetty
"
. . .
. . .
. . .
6
Total
. . . 22 From above Fort Point ... 22
Prinsep's Ghât moorings ...
. . .
. . .
16
Hastings "
. . .
. . .
... 16
Kidderpore
"
. . .
...
... 3
Garden Reach "
...
. . .
... 3
Baboo Ghât "
. . . ...
... 3
Fort Point "
. . . ...
. . .
2
43 From below Fort Point
... 43
Total cases from shipping ...
6 5