Reductions.
Control transferred
to the medical
department.
18
REPORT ON THE
Support.
Attendance.
'Moribunds."
THE ARATOON APCAR DISPENSARY.
49. This is an out-door dispensary, situated at Garden Reach. It was
established in 1870 by Mr. Thomas Apcar, and is mainly supported by him.
Other residents of the suburb contribute about 25 Rs. monthly. Mr. Apcar
built a suitable house for the dispensary in his own compound, and takes a great
interest in the charity. Government gives a supply of medicines gratis.
8,402 persons obtained relief in this dispensary, against 8,305 in 1871. Den-
gue broke out at Garden Reach in April. 226 cases were treated at the
dispensary. Five cases of cholera were treated, all of which came from the
suburb. The dispensary is under the charge of native doctor Prankisto
Mookerjee, who gives satisfaction.
THE HOWRAH GENERAL HOSPITAL.
50. Surgeon J. Elliot, M.D., Civil Surgeon of Howrah, has submitted
a most interesting report of this hospital, which details the transaction of the
year in a clear and exhaustive manner. I observe that it has been the practice
to exclude "moribund" patients altogether from the returns, and the term
as hitherto employed has been indefinite. Dr. Elliot still excluding this
class of cases from the returns of the hospital, gives a separate classified
return of them, and limits the term to patients dying within 24 hours, in
accordance with the practice of other hospitals. On adding the 149 moribund
cases admitted to the 142 deaths shown in the returns, the death-rate is
raised from 119.9 to 218.5 per 1,000. A comparison with past years is im-
possible, because, even were the number of moribund cases known, they might
not, under different medical officers with different views as to what constitutes
a " moribund" case, embrace the same class of patients. I am clearly of opinion,
as I have already stated, that the statistics of a hospital ought to embrace all
cases admitted alive, whatever their condition; and that statements excluding
"moribunds" should be separate and special. I have caused the superintendent
of the hospital to be addressed in the above sense.
Abuses discovered,
and remedied.
Finances.
51. Dr. Elliot details in his report the various abuses which he discovered
among
the subordinates of the hospital, and the changes and economies which
he has effected; in all this he was warmly and ably seconded by Mr. Saunders, the
Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals, and fully supported by the hospital
committee. I consider that these officers deserve great credit for the promp-
titude and success with which they addressed themselves to remedy the
malpractices which came to light, and to reduce an overgrown and overpaid
establishment without impairing the efficiency of the institution. Dr. Elliot's
further proposals for the improvement of the hospital will no doubt be favour-
ably considered by the committee. It is satisfactory to note that the financial
state of the institution is at present good; but its sources of income are some-
what precarious, and its continuous solvency and efficient working will always
be a subject of anxiety to the superintendent and committee.
CALCUTTA LOCK HOSPITALS.
52. These hospitals have now been reduced to two—at Alipore and Sealdah,
the Bow Bazar Hospital having been abolished, in accordance with Government
order No. 586, dated 9th February 1873. This step permitted of a considerable
reduction in the cost of hospital establishment. The question of further
reducing this has been under discussion during the year; but after a very
careful inquiry and correspondence with the Deputy Inspector-General of Hospi-
tals and Superintendent, I was unable to recommend any further material reduc-
tion as long as the institutions remain on their present footing. In accordance with
Government order No. 2682, dated 22nd June 1872, I have been entrusted
with the entire control of these institutions, and it will be my duty to see that