CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
11
mortality might not be reduced by a more liberal use of generous soups, milk,
stimulants, and other kinds of food suitable for the wretched creatures who at
present die so freely.
At the beginning of the year it was brought to notice by the Surgeons of
the Medical College Hospital that the operating theatre was very badly lighted,
when Government sanctioned alterations in the gas-burners, which have proved
a great success, so that there is now good light when operations are necessary
at night.
The new out-door dispensary in connection with the Medical College
Hospital, which is to be erected out of money left by the late Baboo Chooni
Lall Seal, has not yet been commenced, though there is every hope that it may
soon be so as the plans are now ready. The building will cost about Rs. 12,000,
and there is also a sum of Rs. 50,000 which is to be invested for the mainte-
nance of the institution. It is also arranged that there shall be separate wards
for the treatment in the Medical College Hospital of cases of delirium tremens
occurring among seamen and others, the funds being provided out of the hospital
dues of the Port Fund. For the Medical College Hospital a separate contagious
ward has been sanctioned, as also quarters for the nurses. A new obstetric
hospital has been sanctioned; but, so far as I know, nothing more has been done
regarding it. Government has sanctioned the expenditure of Rs. 10,000 out
of the Port Dues Hospital Fund by the Committee of the Howrah General
Hospital with the object of providing fifteen additional beds for seamen. The
Committee intend to remove the native wards from the present building, as
also the present store-room, and to convert these into wards for sailors. They
have collected a considerable sum of money and intend to construct a separate
native hospital. According to the plan, it will be rather an imposing structure
which they hope to build. Some improvements have been made in the Presidency
General Hospital during the year. More seats have been purchased for the
benefit of the patients strolling in the grounds of the hospital, and better
accommodation has been provided for paying patients, for whom the upper
floor of the main block of buildings has been reserved. By this means it is
hoped that a superior sort of patients, by whom a higher board will be paid,
will be attracted to the hospital. Quarters for the nurses, costing a large sum
of money, have been finished, and are now in occupation. A very salutary order
has been passed by His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor in reference to over-
crowding in the Campbell Hospital, which has accommodation for 467 patients.
It was found, however, that in November and December 1878 the daily average
number of patients was 522, and on the 25th November there were actually 605
inmates. Sir A. Eden has ordered that in future, when the hospital has its full
complement of patients, the Superintendent should give notice to the other
hospitals from whom he is in the way of receiving patients of his inability
to admit fresh cases. He is, however, directed to continue to receive cases
sent by the police. In this hospital, where the mortality has always been high,
and where the vitality of very many of the patients is very low, anything like
overcrowding must undoubtedly tend to increase a death-rate already excessive.
The drainage of the ground surrounding the Campbell Hospital has been
improved at a sanctioned expenditure of Rs. 691. This was greatly needed, as
water used to lodge in the rains.
A great want of Calcutta is a better small-pox hospital than at present
exists, especially for Europeans. There is one at the Campbell Hospital, but it is
not large enough. The sheds at this hospital for natives affected by the same
disease answer very well.
Some improvements were in contemplation and will be carried out as
funds become available, among which may be mentioned better latrines for
the General Hospital and Medical College Hospital. A new office, store-room,
and dispensary, together with quarters for the Deputy Superintendent, are much
wanted in the Campbell Hospital. Plans and estimates have been prepared,
which it is hoped will shortly be carried out.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant.
JAS. IRVING, M.D.,
Surgeon-General of Bengal.