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REPORT ON THE CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
Midwifery.
The minor operations were such as are generally met with among native
patients attending the out-door department of station dispensaries. There
ought to be a comparatively large field for surgical practice in Howrah, but
with the exception of the above accidents, no very interesting cases have
presented themselves.
Midwifery .—There has been only one case of delivery in the European
department during the past year, and two in the native ward. The latter were
cases demanding interference at an earlier stage of labor, but were unfortunately
not brought to hospital until the patients were almost exhausted, and much
mischief had been done by the native dhais in attendance. Immediate relief
was afforded, but the result was death in both instances. There is no special
accommodation in the hospital for lying-in-patients, but I shall endeavour
during the present year to set apart one of the female wards in the European
department for this purpose.
Dieting.
Contract system in-
troduced.
Diet.—The dieting of the sick for the first eight months of the year was
in the hands of a native who supplied meat, bread, and all other articles of food
from the bazar at market-rates. On the recommendation of the Deputy
Inspector-General of Hospitals, Presidency Circle, I have introduced the contract
system throughout the establishment, and during the last four months of the
year there has been a considerable saving in every department, The contracts
for food, wines, &c., are so framed as to leave considerable power in the hands
of the superintendent of the hospital to enforce the regular supply of good,
wholesome, and nutritious articles. On this system, the sick are better fed at a
cheaper rate than they were under the old arrangement.
Cooking.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Not a few difficulties have presented themselves with reference to the
cooking and serving of the food in a palatable shape. These difficulties can
hardly be overcome so long as each person's meal is prepared and served sepa-
rately. I have endeavoured to rectify this as far as possible, for I consider that
the supply of suitable and wholesome food cooked and served to the sick in
a palatable shape is a very important auxiliary in the treatment of disease.
Conservancy .—There has been some difficulty with regard to the disposal
of the night-soil, which, till lately, was buried in shallow trenches in two small
plots of ground set apart for the purpose in the hospital compound. This
practice has been discontinued, and with the Magistrate's consent the soil is now
buried in trenches dug in the jail garden. I have endeavored to introduce
the dry-earth system in the removal of the soil, which is now carried out as far
as practicable.
The water-supply is plentiful from tanks in the vicinity of the hospital,
but the water is not of the best quality. There is a good well in the compound
with pump and pipes attached for the purpose of conveying water to the bath-
rooms. The apparatus has for a long time been out of order, but the repairs
are, I believe, included in those of the building which are now in progress.
The supply of drinking water was obtained from a neighbouring tank, but it was
found to be so impure that I have arranged for the conveyance of a daily supply
of municipal water from Calcutta.
Native dispensary.
Out-door relief, natives.—There is a fair attendance of out-door native
patients. This department was in charge of Mr W. Overitt, pensioned apothe-
cary, till a late period of the year, after which on the recommendation of the
Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, it was placed in charge of Sub-Assistant
Surgeon Gopaul Chunder Roy, who was appointed on the 4th December 1872.
I hope under him to see an increase of attendance of out-door patients.