CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
11
12. The higher death-rates among native patients are again conspicuous. Death-rates of Eu-
ropeans, East
Indians, and Na-
tives compared.
STATEMENT No. XII.
YEARS.
DEATH-RATE PER 1,000.
EUROPEANS.
EAST INDIANS.
NATIVES.
M.
F.
C.
M.
F.
C.
M.
F.
C.
1869
... 76'26 36 .49 „' 97 .48 84 '28 ... 260 .07 239 '24 ...
1870
... 70'11 42 .01 ... 79 .92 55.24 ... 210 .11 185 .18 ...
1871
... 45 .51 45 .87 ... 57 .30 50'80 ... 190 .54 176'07 ...
1872
... 53 .2 12'7 40. 0 79 .6 41 .1 107'7 177 .9 149 .5 161'7
East Indians occupy an in-
termediate position between
Europeans and natives.
The death-rate of females
is lower in all classes than
of males, those of children
occupying an intermediate
position,except among Eura-
sians,where therate is higher
than either. Table C sup-
ports the same conclusions.
Table D shows that the
death-rates of natives are
higher in both the medical
and surgical wards, and table G that the same circumstance is apparent on
analysing diseases into groups and orders. Cholera, contrary to the experience
of past years, has been more fatal among Christians than natives, and so have
diarrhoea, bronchitis, and abscess of the liver. No explanation is given of
these anomalies, and I am unable to furnish any.
13. The death-rate per mille of medical and surgical cases and of )eath-rates of me-
dical and surgi-
cal cases and sur-
gical operation,.
STATEMENT No. XIII.
Years.
Medical Cases.
Surgical Cases.
Operations.
1870
...
.'.
.'.
168.3
94.6
207.0
...
1871...
...
150.4
93.1
155.7
1872
167.6
99'4
170.6
operations are shown margi-
nally. The circumstance
that the mean period of
residence of medical cases
is shorter than in English
hospitals, and of surgical
cases longer, is an interesting
one, and I have no doubt
that the explanation given
in the report is the correct one. The mortality from surgical operations, though
somewhat higher than in 1870, is below the average of past years. Deaths
from pyæmia and septicæmia have been few, compared with previous years.
The observation developed in the report that deaths from these causes have
become less frequent during the last three years, coincidently with a general
abatement of mortality, and apparent improvement in the health of the com-
munity, is a very interesting one. It is to be hoped that the thorough drainage
of the vicinity of the hospital may render such morbid influences, as are liable
to arise in such institutions, still less virulent.
14. No progress has been made during the year towards building a new
hospital, or providing the present building with the additions which are con-
sidered necessary. Several minor improvements have been accomplished, which
are enumerated by Dr. Smith, and others are indicated as desirable. On the
subject of the need of a new hospital I have nothing to add to the remarks
which I made in the report for 1871 (para. 12).
A new hospital'
15. The allowance fixed by the Committee of 1870 for dieting European
and native sick has been found more than sufficient. Dr. Smith has been asked.
to submit the question of re-adjusting the budget grant separately.
Dieting.
16. The Principal enters fully into the subject of the monies which have
been, from time to time, bestowed upon the hospital. A special report on
this subject was called for on receipt of the resolution on last year's report.
It was considered advisable by Dr. Smith to refer the matter to Dr. Chevers,
whose memorandum has been very recently received. This is appended to
Bequests and dona-
tions.