118
REPORT ON THE CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
REPORT ON THE SUMBHOO NAUTH PUNDIT HOSPITAL.
Bhowanipore, otherwise called the Sumbhoo Nauth Pundit Hospital, after,
a High Court Native Judge, now deceased, was originally a Government insti-
tution, and all expenses incurred on its account were met from the Govern-
ment treasury.
It received the name of the Sumbhoo Nauth Pundit Hospital in 1871,
which was given to it in the hope that the executors of the will of the late
distinguished Judge would endow it. This hope, however, was disappointed.
In the same year, 1871, about eleven thousand rupees were collected by private
subscriptions, and a portion of this has been invested in Government paper,
yielding an income of a sum total of 45 rupees a month. A number of gentlemen
promised to subscribe monthly as soon as the hospital had received its new
name ; but these subscriptions, for some reason unexplained, have not yet
been collected. On the subject of getting public aid to the institution, the
Government of Bengal writes ; (see letter No. 3833, from Officiating Under-
Secretary, dated 28th August 1872). " His Honor thinks that as the value of
the dispensary, and the benefit it confers, should after the lapse of so many
years be well and widely known. It is time local officers, the committee, and
those who take an interest in the success and continuance of the institution,
should make a vigorous effort to raise subscriptions and make it more self-
supporting ..................At any rate His Honor has decided that the continu-
ance of the money grant of Rs. 100 a month shall depend on whether a
proper subscription is raised to show that the institution is really required
and appreciated." At present the financial condition of the hospita lis being
thoroughly reviewed ; and I believe that, as recommended by the Government, a
vigorous effort will soon be made to raise subscriptions.
The present income and resources are derived as follows :—
From Government the Sub-Assistant Surgeon's salary, a subscription of
Rs. 100 a month, and medicines and instruments. From the Municipality, a
subscription of Rs. 100 a month. From invested Government paper, about
Rs. 45 a month. Last year the institution was moved from one building
to another. That which it now occupies is an ordinary dwelling-house, and
not well suited to the purposes of a hospital, many of the rooms being very
small and the whole being badly arranged. The old dispensary building is
now a homœopathic dispensary, which I am told is freely attended.
At a recent meeting of the committee, the number of beds was reduced
from 20 to 10. It is hoped that increased subscriptions will enable the com-
mittee again to work the hospital to its full capacity within a short time.
The Sub-Assistant Surgeon is attentive to, and evidently fond of, his work.
He is a good surgeon. There were 385 minor and 34 major operations performed
in the year. A detailed statement of these is submitted with the Sub-Assis-
tant Surgeon's report.
In all, there were 6,526 new cases treated during the year. 52 cases of
cholera were dealt with amongst these and 15 cases of dengue fever.
R. BIRD, M.D.,
Civil Surgeon, 24-Pergunnahs .