Midwifery.
Surgical
operations.
Condition of the
grounds, &c.
Death-rate
according to race.
24
REPORT ON THE
8. The death-rate according to the race of the patients (including moribund cases) was
as follows:—
Eurasians
...
...
...
...
129·53 per mille of total treated.
Mahomedans
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
174·43
ditto
ditto.
Hindoos
. . .
...
...
...
278·26
ditto
ditto.
Statistics of some
of the more
prevalent diseases.
9. The following table shows the admissions and mortality from some of the diseases
which were most prevalent during 1876:—
DISEASES.
Admitted.
Admissions per
mille of total ad-
missions.
Died.
Deaths per mille o f t r e a t e d .
Deaths per mille
of total mor-
tality.
Small-pox ...
...
...
. . .
55
8·79
20
357·14
12·02
Ague
...
...
...
...
492
78·35
......
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
Remittent fever
...
...
...
417
63·41
182
415·52
109·44
Cholera
...
...
...
...
110
17·51
65
585·58
39·03
Erysipelas ...
...
...
...
27
4·30
5
178·57
3·00
Phagedæna ...
...
...
. . .
127
20·22
112
881·88
67·34
Gangrene ...
...
...
...
5
·79
3
600·00
1·80
Phthisis
...
...
...
...
172
27·39
86
483·14
51·71
General dropsy
...
...
...
264
42·04
112
416·35
67·34
Bronchitis ...
...
...
...
126
20·06
33
248·12
19·84
Pneumonia ...
...
...
...
32
5·09
15
441·17
9·01
Cancrum oris...
...
...
...
41
6·52
20
487·80
12·02
Dysentery ...
...
...
...
715
113·87
321
421·81
193·02
Diarrhœa
...
... . . .
. . .
399
63·54
156
377·72
93·80
Hypertrophy of spleen ... ...
744
118·49
171
212·68
102·82
Ulceration of intestines
...
...
272
43·31
119
381·41
71·55
Debility
...
...
...
...
280
44·59
137
464·40
82·38
Total
. . .
4,278
681·31
1,557
344·69
936·26
The foregoing
diseases mostly the
result of malarious
poisoning, &c.
Cholera.
The bustee
Harreepara is
objectionable.
10. It will be seen that the diseases in the preceding table (which were mostly the results
of malarious poisoning and exposure, conjoined with those conditions which arise from
poverty) formed 681 per mille of the total admissions, and 936 per mille of the total
mortality. It will also be noticed that in upwards of 344 per mille of the total number
treated for these diseases the result was fatal; but such is not surprising when it is consi-
dered how powerless the constitutions of these poor creatures must have been against the
combined effects of want, misery, and sickness, even when aided by such powerful and well-
recognized restorants as judicious medical treatment and proper nourishment, but which
unfortunately in many cases must have been administered at much too late a period to
afford any hope of recovery, although, no doubt, the last sufferings of many were soothed
by them. Such diseases in particular as dysentery, remittent fever, hypertrophy of the
spleen, diarrhœa, debility, ulceration of the intestines, phagedæna, and general dropsy,
caused more than three-fourths of the total mortality of the year.
11. During the year 110 cases of cholera were admitted. This number was less than
the admissions of either of the two preceding years, but was higher than that of any year from
1868 to 1873. The death-rate was 585 . 58 per mille of treated, against 635·13 in 1875 and
655·17 in 1874, but was less favourable than that of any other year since 1868. The disease
was met with in every month of the year, but prevailed most during the months of November,
December, March, February, April, May, and June. The type of cholera appeared to have
been most virulent during the months of January, December, March, June, November,
August, February, May, and April. There were no deaths in hospital from cholera during
the months of July, September, and October, and but one in August.
12. Sixteen cases of midwifery were admitted during the year. Of these 13 were
discharged cured, one died, and two remained
in hospital on the 31st December.
13. Nine major surgical operations were performed during the year. Of these, two were
cases of lithotomy, which were successful, and two of amputation of the leg, of which one was
followed by a fatal result.
14. Dr. Woodford writes as follows regarding the condition of the grounds and
surroundings:—"These premises are now in very fair order, and, except the tank asked to
be filled up in my letter No. 244, of 26th August 1875, which has only partly been carried
out, very little remains to be done. Gas, however, should be supplied as soon as possible.
This item was included in my requisition on the Public Works Department for 1876-77, and
passed by the Surgeon-General, but it has not been carried out. These premises are very
extensive, and they are in complete darkness. Any sick being conveyed here at night are
much inconvenienced, and ticca gharries run against our fences, which have been broken twice
l a t e l y . "
"
I would here draw attention to the bustee 'Harreepara,'
situated directly south of
the hospital building, and removed from it not more than 20 or 30 paces. A more filthy
place than this village it is difficult to conceive; but there is, however, if possible, a greater
nuisance connected with it—this is that the ryots of a few huts nearest to the hospital have
been allowed a right of way through these premises subject to a decision of the High Court.