CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
35
With reference to the above statistics, Mr. Pilcher is of opinion that the
figures do not give a casual observer a very accurate idea of the sickness
and mortality of the district or of those admitted into hospital, as the cases
received are generally in a very impoverished condition of health, and resort
to the hospital as a last resource. Diarrhæa as is usually the case gave rise to
the largest number of admission during the year. The number who remained
and were admitted during 1877 amounted to 380, or 25 . 16 per cent. of the
total number treated. Regarding the other diseases treated, Mr. Pilcher writes
as follows:—
" There is a large decrease in the proportionate number of deaths from
dysentery in comparison with the previous year.
" Fewer cases of cholera were admitted during the past year in comparison
with 1876, and. the mortality was somewhat less in proportion ; but the
disease was of a severe type. Fevers account for 31 of the total deaths, being
one per cent. of those treated.
" There were but seven cases of phthisis admitted, two of which terminated
fatally. Among the diseases causing the mortality, classified under the head
" other diseases," 18 were attributable to dropsy ; 2 to abscess of liver ; 60 to
debility ; 9 to injuries; 4 to respiratory affections; 1 to ulcer ; 2 to poison; 3 to
leprosy ; 1 to diabetes; 3 to hypertrophy of spleen ; 2 to aseites; 1 to puerperal
convulsion ; 1 to tetanus ; 1 to paraplegia ; 1 to hemiplegia ; 1 to cancrum-oris,
and 1 to obstruction of bowels."
The following table gives the number of admissions and deaths from Cholera.
cholera during the three years ending 31st December 1877 :—
'
Treated.
Died.
RATIO OF
Treated.
DEATHS PER MILLE
Total
treated from all
TO -
Total deaths.
YEARS.
causes.
Euro
peal's. Natives.
Euro.
peens. Natives.
Euro-
pearls. Natives. Euro-
pesos. Natives. Euro-
Penns.
Natives.
22
110 1
13
35
590'9
318'1
14'17
30'86 302'32 122'30
1876
...
...
...
...
21
3u8
6
01
285'71 561'81
0'91
41'41 200.00 190'03
12
73
4
36
333'33 493'15
4'19
23 .84 105'26 91'48
Moribund eases.
Of the 12 cases of cholera treated in hospital, 8 were brought from the
port, and 4 occurred in Howrah. The disease, it will be seen, was not so preva-
lent either among European or Natives as in the previous year.
6. Of the patients who were received in a moribund condition, the fol-
lowing table exhibits the number thus admitted, the time of death after admis-
sion, and the complaints which caused the mortality :—
DISEASES .
.
Toren-
ty-four
hours.
One
day.
Two
days.
Three
days.
Four
days.
Five
days,
Six
days.
Seven
days.
Eight
days.
Nine
days.
Ten
days.
TOTAL
Dysentery ...
......
...
...
1
2
...
...
...
1
...
...
... ...
5
Cholera .„
......
..
.
.
..
...
23
2
3
3
1
.
...
..
34
Anasarea ...
...
. . .
Diarrlicea ...
...
...
....
..... ......
2
30
18
19
1
19
3
6
13 ' . 5
1
10
2
6
1
5
3.0
131
Plithisis pulmonalia
.
...
...
...
...
...
1
i
...
14
3
5
4
...
...
2
2
. ..
30
Other cause
.I1*
..
.
. . .
. –
. . .
30
3
5
Li
3
5
3
5
...
65
Total
...
...
100
27
31
32
11
18 I 9
16
14
6
276
Of those who died within one day there were 30 cases of diarrhoea, 23 of
cholera, and 14 of remittent fever, and the total from all other causes amounted
to 39. The total who died within 10 days amounted to 276 or 5 . 5 of the total
in-door patients treated.
" The hospital, as my predecessor has remarked in previous reports,
receives all the neglected sick, the poor, and ill-fed beggars, and the like, of this
v ery populous town. Many instances occur in which poor families are found to