Building.
Good results
from careful
examination of
recruits.
22
REPORT ON THE
From this statement it appears that while the greatest amount of sickness was in the
divisions stationed in the suburbs and town, the greatest mortality was from the Hooghly
Bridge and suburbs divisions.
The excellent health and trifling mortality of the river police division is very remark
- a b l e , a n d n o e x p l a n a t i o n o f t h e f a c t h a s b e e n o f f e r e d . W h y t h e r i v e r p o l i c e d i v i s i o n h a s
been so healthy is a subject worthy of investigation, as it might thus be determined how far
the discharge of the Fort sewage into the river, and the emanations from the exposed and
unembanked portions of the foreshore, may be considered as causes of sickness to the shipping
population generally.
7. The hospital has been repaired, and the floor of the verandah was renewed during
the past year.
8. Dr. Woodford states that he has carefully examined the recruits before their
admission into the service, and as a result the sickness of the force has been reduced from
6 to 3 per cent.
Diseases from
which the
mortality was
greatest.
Increase of fevers.
Cholera.
Visitors.
Subordinate
medical officer.
Inspection of the
Deputy Surgeon-
General.
Expenditure.
9. The diseases which contributed the greatest numbers of deaths to the total
mortality were, in order of frequency, fevers 17 deaths (enteric fever 14 deaths, ague
3 deaths), cholera and diarrhœa 10 each, dysentery 5, jaundice and dropsy 3 each.
10. There was a marked increase of fevers of all types. From enteric fever there were
no less than 17 admissions and 14 deaths, or at the exceptionally high death-rate of
823.52 per mile of total cases of this fever treated.
11. There were 31 cases of cholera admitted into hospital, and this has been the largest
number since 1870. Of these, 10 died, or at the moderate death-rate of 322.58 per mille of
total number treated. There were only four cholera cases from the river police and
one death.
12. The hospital has been visited during the year by the Commissioner of Police, the
Deputy Commissioner, and by the Deputy Surgeon-General of the Presidency Circle.
13. Dr. Woodford reports that Mr. Apothecary McCormick has discharged his duties
satisfactorily.
14. Deputy Surgeon-General Cockburn inspected this hospital on the 5th February,
and reports that the buildings were all in good order, the wards and premises
were clean, the patients comfortably provided for, and all the details for the proper
treatment of the sick were in very good working order.
15. This hospital receives no grant or contribution from any source. The Com
- m i s s i o n e r o f P o l i c e a d j u s t s a l l o u t l a y a n d e x p e n s e s . T h e f o l l o w i n g s t a t e m e n t g i v e s t h e
total expenditure in the hospital for the year 1875 :—
Expenditure in Police Hospital, 1875.
Rs. A. P.
Establishment' s pay
4,086 0 0
Dieting
10,111 13 0
Bazar medicines
425 0 0
C o n t i n g e n c i e s
1,535 9 6
Bedding
888 2 0
Europe medicines, instruments, and hospital necessaries
1,365 14 9
Total
18,412 7 3
Medical officer and
hospital
establishment.
The total cost of each sick chowkeedar, inclusive of all hospital expenditure, was at the
rate of 7 annas 2 pie per diem.
THE NORTH SUBURBAN HOSPITAL.
THIS hospital was opened in September 1866 for the reception of in-door patients only,
and. contains 36 beds, which were generally occupied during the year 1875.
2. Assistant Surgeon L. N. Bose has been in charge of the hospital since it was first
established. He has been assisted in the discharge of his duties by a native doctor and by the
following servants :—
1 Compounder.
1 Dresser.
1 Hindoo cook.
1 Storekeeper.
1 Durwan.
1 Mahomedan cook.
1 Head coolie.
2 Bhisties.
2 Mehters.
2 Ordinary coolies.
2 Domes.
1 Secretary's peon.
In addition to these, there were two native medical pupils attached to the hospital,
who received a salary from Government of Rs. 5 per mensem each. By this means a
saving of Rs. 15 per mensem, the wages of a compounder and of a dresser formerly
borne on the rolls of the establishment, is stated to have been effected. I am, how
- e v e r , d o u b t f u l w h e t h e r t h e e f f i c i e n c y o f t h e h o s p i t a l m u s t n o t b e s o m e w h a t i m p a i r e d