12
REPORT ON THE
Hospitalism.
Obstetric ward,
women and
children.
Dispensary
practice.
Training native
females in
midwifery.
Finances.
Water-supply..
but Dr. Chevers points out that 10 more deaths occurred from allied diseases. So that in fact
23 deaths, or 469 per thousand, which is not much less than half of all the fatal cases, were
due to what is called " hospitalism." Dr. Chevers enters very fully into this important
matter, and has discused it with great care and judgment. He draws attention to the
acknowledged defects of the present hospital as regards its position and structure, which,
notwithstanding all the improvements that have taken place, must still leave it subject to
the unfavorable influences of the impure air of a large town, and to a hospital atmosphere
engendered by the lodging of medical, surgical, and obstetric cases under one roof. He
anticipates that these evils will be reduced to a minimum by the adoption of the measures
he suggests. With this object in view a sum of six lakhs of rupees has been sanctioned ;
plans and estimates are now being drawn up so as to carry out what are considered to be
the most important improvements and alterations required as far as may be possible.
J.
16. In the obstetric department of the hospital, the results shewn are on the whole
satisfactory. The number of in-door treated, though slightly less than was registered in 1872,
is in excess of previous years. The rate of mortality has been rather higher than it was in
1872, but decidedly lower than was recorded for 1871, 1870, and 1869.
The number of women confined in the hospital continues to shew a steady increase.
17. Of the dispensary practice in all its branches, the principal gives an analysis, which
clearly indicates satisfactory progress from year to year, and shews the increasing appreciation
in which this institution is held by all classes of the community.
18. Another year's experience of the attempt to train native dhaies as midwives has,
I much regret to say, been the reverse of favorable. Great difficulty has been met with in
inducing either Mussulman or Hindoo women to come for instruction; and of the six women
who have attended the Medical College Hospital for this purpose during the past year, all are
Christians. At the examination, to which all were invited, only three presented themselves.
One of these displayed complete ignorance; the other two acquitted themselves very creditably.
As this matter is again submitted for the further consideration of government, in consequence
of a letter from Dr. Charles, in which he urges the useless expense and trouble of the present
scheme, and requests to be relieved from an irksome and unsatisfactory duty, it need not be
further referred to here.
19.
I t i s s a t i s f a c t o r y t o f i n d t h a t c o n s i d e r a b l e s a v i n g s h a v e b e e n e f f e c t e d o n t h e b u d g e t a l l o w a n c e u n d e r s e v e r a l h e a d s , t h e t o t a l o f w h i c h a m o u n t s t o R s . 1 2 , 7 9 1 - 1 5 - 8 . O n t h e
other hand Rs. 2,029-6-4 has been the outlay in excess of the grant, of which Rs. 1,526-2-7
has been passed by government. S./
In statement A, the financial position of the hospital is distinctly shown. All legacies
and endowments have now been invested in government securities.
20. The water-supply to this institution has not yet been put on a satisfactory footing.
Additional tanks and pipes have been fitted in during the year, so as to afford a more abundant
supply to the latrines and lavatories; but there is not at present sufficient pressure to force
the water up to the required level. A correspondence on this subject with the chairman of th
e justices has lately taken place, and has been submitted to government, the result of which is
that it has been decided that further action shall be suspended until it shall be seen whether
the Chandpal Ghât scheme, when it begins to work, will not permit the required pressure to be
made available. In the meanwhile the water-supply is maintained by means of the hospital
steam pump at considerable outlay
.
21. The successful management of this large and important institution reflects great
credit upon its able principal and the staff of medical officers associated with him. Dr. Chevers
speaks in terms of high approbation of the manner in which Drs. McConnell and Crombie
have discharged the duties of resident physician and resident surgeon respectively, and
commends the assiduity and attention of the subordinate staff, and he alludes with much feel-
ing to the great loss this institution especially, and the Bengal medical service generally,
sustained in the removal by death in succession of two such talented and devoted men as
Drs. Purefoy Colles and Cutcliffe.
THE PRESIDENCY GENERAL HOSPITAL.
Native ward
established.
22. Dr. Ewart's report on this important hospital is in all respects a highly satisfactory
one. The three large buildings which now constitute the hospital are each under the separate
charge of one of the three medical officers appointed to the institution, and for each building a
complete separate establishment for the medical treatment, and for the dieting and general
care of the sick, is provided. This system is found by Dr. Ewart to work admirably, and to
be far better adapted for the welfare and comfort of the patients than the centralized system
which had hitherto been in use. In carrying out the new plan in all its details, he has received
every assistance from the two very able medical officers, Drs. Palmer and Mackenzie, the first
and second surgeons of the hospital. In August last the new or Sumbhoo Nath Pundit ward
was inaugurated by Sir George Campbell, and the working of it has thus far been successful,
and promises the best results.