Hospital staff.
Assistant
apothecary.
Visitors.
20
REPORT ON THE
Admissions and
rates of mortality
from some of the
more prevalent
diseases.
Cholera.
Midwifery.
Surgical
operations.
Small-pox.
7. The following table shows the admissions and rates of mortality from some of the
more prevalent diseases treated during 1875:—
DISEASES.
Admitted.
Admissions per
mille of total
admission.
Died.
Deaths per mille
on number of
each diseas
e treated.
Deaths per mille
of total mor-
tality.
Fevers
984
132. 50
186
182. 35
8 5 . 1 2
Dysentery
912
122. 81
385
404. 41
1 7 6 . 2 0
Diarrhœa
493
66. 38
207
401.94
9 4 . 7 4
Cholera
146
19.66
94
635.13
4 3 . 0 2
Total
2,535
34. 05
872
330. 92
3 9 9 . 0 8
The greatest numbers of admissions into hospital from fevers, dysentery, and diarrhœa,
were during the second half of the year.
8. Cases of cholera were met with in every month of the year, but were most prevalent,
in order of frequency, during the months of November, March, April, October, February,
and December. The disease, judging from the rate of mortality, was of the most virulent
type during the months of March, October, February, and January.
The admissions from cholera were in excess of those of any year since 1868, with the
exception of 1874, and, regarding this increase in the cholera cases treated in his hospital,
Dr. Woodford thus expresses himself:—"I fear the higher figures exhibited for the last two
years prove but too clearly that the hope regarding the drainage and water-supply of Calcutta
diminishing this dreadful scourge in the town was vain, and that the very small number
of cases that occurred during the year and the year after the introduction of filtered water
was due to those years being singularly free from sickness in general, or to some cause not yet
discovered."
9. There were 21 women confined in hospital during the year, and of these two died.
The midwifery department may be expected to increase its operations as soon as a suitable
building is provided for lying-in patients. The present hospital does not afford anything
like sufficient privacy or accommodation for such cases.
10. At the commencement of the year there were remaining in hospital three patients
who had undergone operations during 1874, and during 1875, 18 patients were operated on.
Of these patients, 14 were discharged cured, six died (285.71 per mille of total number
operated on), and one remained in hospital at the end of the year.
Regarding the great mortality amongst the patients after operation Dr. Woodford says
: — " I h a v e a l m o s t d i s c o u r a g e d t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f m a j o r s u r g i c a l o p e r a t i o n s , a n d f e a r t h e y
must be restricted to cases of accident requiring urgent surgical interference until such time
as a building is provided where they may be separated from the medical wards and afforded
a fair chance of recovery."
11. One hundred and seventy cases of small-pox were admitted during 1875, a number
which is nearly 100 in excess of the aggregate admissions of the past seven years from this
disease. The total number treated was 188, with a mortality of 80, or 425.53 per mille of
total number treated; but as 90 of the cases admitted were of the confluent type, this high
rate of mortality may thus be accounted for.
Dieting.
12. The dieting has been satisfactorily carried out during the year.
Sanitary
improvements.
Nursing.
13. The hospital grounds have been greatly improved, and all swamps in them were
fi l l ed up. A l arge pi ece of ground, 5½ beeghas, was purchased, and two pucca houses si tuate
on it have been brought into use, one as quarters for the resident assistant surgeons, and
the other was converted into an office and dispensary.
14. The nursing in the male wards is done by coolies, and in the female wards by
dhaies, but Dr. Woodford states that the best of these servants make but indifferent nurses.
He adds, however, when making mention of a dhaie who was trained in the lying-in wards of
the Medical College, and is now employed in the female wards:—"I have the services of one of
these women, and if she may be held as a fair sample of the nurses sent out from Dr. Charles'
ward, they will be found very valuable in the women's portion of the native hospital."
15. Dr. Woodford makes a satisfactory report as to the efficiency of the hospital staff,
and also as to the attention bestowed by the resident assistant surgeons on the care and
comfort of the sick.
16. Mr. Assistant Apothecary Hamilton was attached to the hospital in July last.
Dr. Woodford bears testimony to the zealous manner in which he has discharged his duties.
17. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales visited the hospital and graciously placed
Rs. 100 at Dr. Woodford's disposal for the purchase of sweetmeats to be distributed among
the sick on New Year's Day, and also gave portraits of himself and of Her Royal Highness
the Princess of Wales to be hung up in the hospital as a souvenir of the Royal visit.