CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
21
14. In the following table those diseases are shown which were the principal causes
of sickness and mortality amongst the Native in-door patients, as well as the deaths per cent.
of treated, and of the total mortality which occurred from them:—
DISEASES.
Total
treated. Died.
DIED PER CENT. I
DISEASES.
Total
treated. Died.
DIED PER CENT.
Of
treated.
Of total m o r -
tality.
Of
treated.
Of total
morta-
lity.
Ague
...
...
. . .
Remittent fever ...
. . .
Cholera ...
. . .
. . .
Pneumonia
. . . . . .
Phthisis ...
...
. . .
37
17
26
4
7
1
5
12
1
1
2·70
29·41
46·15
25·00
14·28
1·66
8·33
20·00
1·66
1·66
Dysentery
...
...
Diarrhœa ...
...
...
Of Spleen ..
... ...
Hepatic abscess ...
...
Debility ... ... ...
15
12
19
4
5
2
4
6
1
4
13·33
33·33
31·57
25·00
80·00
3·33
6·66
10·00
1·66
6·66
It will be learnt from the foregoing table that cholera, hypertrophy of the spleen,
remittent fever, diarrhœa, and debility, taken collectively, caused more than half of the
total mortality of the Native patients. Dr. Elliot states that "these patients are supplied
mainly from the out-door department, the majority being residents of Bhowanipore and
adjacent suburban villages. It is found that a considerable number have recently come from
a distance, which shows that the popularity of this branch of the institution is rapidly
spreading." He further remarks:—"Although it is not to be expected that a suburban
hospital can compete in numbers with one in the heart of the city, there is still scope for
considerable extension of the practice, both of medicine and surgery, among the Native
population of this part of the town."
15. The out-door department of this hospital was organized by Dr. Ewart in 1874,
and since then the daily attendance of patients has steadily increased up to the present time.
In 1874 the number of out-door patients was 1,107; in 1875, 9,544; and in 1876 it reached
the high figure of 16,293. Of those who attended in 1876, 411 were Europeans, 352 were
Eurasians, 8,146 Mussulmans, 6,891 Hindoos, and 493 of other castes. The daily average
out-door attendance was 113·9. The duties of the out-door department were conducted by
Assistant Surgeons temporarily attached to the hospital, under the direct superintendence
of the 1st and 2nd Resident Surgeons, but they have been placed under the immediate
charge of Assistant Surgeon Heera Lall Dutt since the 1st of January 1877, and, as a result,
Dr. Elliot expects that he may show a still larger out-door attendance list during the present
year.
16. In statement No. 1 of the Appendix attached to this report will be found a list
showing in detail all the more important surgical operations which have been performed
during the past year in the various Calcutta medical institutions. Regarding those performed
in this hospital, Dr. Elliot supplies the following information. There were (Major 12
4/Minor 241) 365
operations performed during the year, which in nine cases were followed by a fatal result.
These operations were thus distributed amongst the various wards:—in the male surgical
wa r d t he r e we r e ( Ma j or 65/ Mi nor 185) 250, wi t h s i x de a t hs , or a t t he r a t e of 9. 23 per cent. of major opera-
- t i o n s ; i n t h e w o m e n ' s a n d c h i l d r e n ' s w a r d s t h e r e w e r e ( M a j o r 1 4 / M i n o r 2 )1
6 , w i t h a s u c c e s s f u l r e s u l t i n
every case; and in the Sumbhoo Nath Pundit's ward there were (Major 45/Minor 54) 99, with three deaths
after major operations, or at the rate of 6·66 per cent. The result in all cases of minor
operations was successful.
17. The number of confinements during the past year amounted to 38, against 41 in
1875, and there was no casualty after any of these cases. Mrs. Hickey, the matron, who
has been in charge of the nurses in this branch, is said to have managed the lying-in room
with considerable tact and judgment. Dr. Elliot states that he had "of late noticed a
falling off in her zeal in the interest of the hospital, which may in some measure be attributed
to bad health;" but he is nevertheless "glad to be able to testify to the kind care and atten-
tion she bestows upon the sick under her charge, and to her ability and high qualifications
as a practical midwife, in which branch she has given me entire satisfaction."
18. Dr. Elliot states "that His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal sanctioned
during the year an outlay of upwards of Rs. 7,000 for the purpose of adding an operating
theatre to the surgical ward and a lying-in room to the women's and children's wards, for
both of which the necessity had been long felt. The building is now under construction by
the Public Works Department, and when completed will add very materially to the comfort
and well-being of the inmates of this portion of the institution."
19. Under this heading Dr. Elliot writes as follows: "To arrange properly and
s y s t e m a t i c a l l y f o r t h e d i e t o f a n u m b e r o f s i c k p e o p l e i s p e r h a p s t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t o f a l l
u n d e r t a k i n g s w e h a v e t o e n c o u n t e r i n t h e m a n a g e m e n t o f a l a r g e h o s p i t a l . I n t h e
present instance this is the least satisfactory department in connection with the institution.
There is not so much difficulty in arranging for a regular and fair supply of good articles
Diseases causing.
principal sickness
and mortality
among the Native
patients.
Out-door
department.
Race of patients.
Daily average
number of sick.
How the duties of
the out-door
department are
carried on.
Surgical
operations.
Midwifery.
New confinement
ward, and
operating theatre
Dieting.