57
PRESIDENCY GENERAL HOSPITAL.
wing, now set apart for the regimental hospital, available for the wants of the subordinates
and the poor of the civil population. As however this plan is apparently not to be carried
out, the question of improving the quartersof the subordinates will have to be re-opened.
The Hospital Library .—Most of the sick adults are able to read. The means of indulg-
ing this acquirement contributes materially to dispel in part the monotony inseparable from
sickness, and to prevent the men and women from brooding too much over their complaints.
The small allowance of Rs. 25 per mensem is expended in the purchasing of second-hand
books from the reading clubs, and books from the booksellers at English prices. It has
been liberally supplemented by several kind friends. The Editors of the Englishman
and Daily News furnish copies of their respective newspapers gratis. The Bengal Club,
on the suggestion of Dr. Oldham, have regularly supplied us with the daily papers of the
previous day. The United Service Club, through Dr. Shekleton, have from time to time
contributed a considerable amount of periodical literature, viz. the Dublin University
Magasine, London Society, and Chambers' Journal. Mr. Pirrie Duff has sent with regularity
the Illustrated London News, Pall Mall Budget , and Punch.
Nursing.—The Nursing establishment, consisting of eight nurses and one matron, has
been provided by the Calcutta Hospital Nurses' Institution. They are under the control
of a Ladies' Committee, to which Mrs. Atlay is Secretary. On this benevolent lady the
chief responsibility of direct control rests. She has cordially co-operated with me in
seeing that the work apportioned to the nurses has been thoroughly well performed.
During the year the conduct of the nurses has generally been satisfactory and
unimpeachable. For this favourable state of things much credit is due to the energetic
matron Mrs. Hickey.
Covenanted Executive Establishment.—It is almost supererogatory to notice the very able
manner in which my assistants Dr. W. J. Palmer and Dr. S. Coull Mackenzie have con-
ducted the highly responsible duties entrusted to them. Much of the popularity of the
hospital is due to the professional zeal and efficiency of these officers.
Subordinate Medical Establishment.—Senior Apothecary L'Estrange, the Steward,
continues to give the most unqualified satisfaction. Mr. Grassby, the Apothecary,
Mr. Wilson, the Assistant Apothecary, and the Hospital Apprentices, have all endeavoured to
co-operate cordially in their respective spheres with me and my assistants in conducting the
executive duties of the hospital.
Visitors .—The hospital has been visited by the Hon'ble George Campbell, Lieutenant-
Governor of Bengal, J. Campbell Brown, C .B., the Inspector- General of Hospitals, and repeat-
edly by George Saunders, Esq., the Deputy Inspector-General.
J. EWART, M.D.,
Surgeon, General Hospital.
No. 41D, dated Fort William, the 23rd March 1872.
Memo. by — G. SAUNDERS, ESQ., Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals.
IN forwarding this carefully prepared and interesting report from Dr. Ewart I would
wish to express my concurrence in much that he has said regarding the improved condition
of the sick in the General Hospital during the past three years, and the large amount of
success which has attended on the treatment of disease from that period. I do believe that
the careful provisioning of the hospital and the liberal dieting of the sick have had a large
share in contributing (with the skill of the medical officers) to reduce the rates of mortality,
and I look forward with much interest to the supplying of pure water to the hospital and
the carrying out of a better conservancy system. I earnestly advocate Dr. Ewart's proposi-
tion to open a dispensary for treating out-door sick, but I am not inclined to support his pro-
position to apportion any part of the building for the treatment of native surgical cases.
Library.
Nursing.
Officers.
Subordinates,
Visitors.
P