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the Medical College Hospital. The number of in-patients (4,395) was less than
in 1870 by 131 cases, but the out-door patients had increased by 3,184 to a
total of 43,450. The death-rate shows a satisfactory diminution, having fallen
from 179.40 per thousand in 1869 to 138.78 in 1870, and 126.28 in the year
of review, but is still very high, especially as many moribunds are not admitted.
Excluding the cases of 78, put down as moribunds, the death-rate was 106.22
per thousand. Among Christian patients the rate was lower than in any
pr e vi ous ye a r ; but t he de a t hs a mong t he f e ma l e pa t i e nt s t hi s ye a r we r e
relatively as numerous as among the males—a very unusual circumstance.
11. It is satisfactory to see it stated that in spite of the reputed unsuitable-
ness of the hospital building, in only 8 out of 199 important surgical cases did
preventible hospital disease manifest itself. The ratio of deaths among those
operated on was very comparatively favorable, being 155.77 per mille, as
against 207.08 in 1870.
12. The various minor branches of the institution, such as the lying-in-
ward, the eye-infirmary, and dental dispensary, have each, under the efficient
care of the gentlemen in charge, done as much or even more good than in
previous years.
13. The revised scale of dieting, which came into operation in April 1871,
seems to have given satisfaction; and it is evident from Dr. Chevers' report that
it is more than sufficient for ordinary cases. The Lieutenant-Governor agrees
with the Inspector-General that in framing the budget estimates regard should
be had to the actual expenditure rather than to the scale of rates. The scale
will remain in force as a maximum one, sufficient to provide for all contingencies,
but the estimates of expenditure will correspond more closely to the actual
figures. There is no objection to styling Mr. Bowser hospital steward.
14. The Lieutenant-Governor learns with some surprize that upwards
of a lakh of rupees of invested money has been lying in the Principal's hands—
the proceeds of legacies and gifts to the hospital—the returns from which have
been hitherto spent upon miscellaneous objects without check or control. It
could hardly have been the intention of the donors that petty repairs and
ordinary hospital contingencies should be met from such moneys as appears
from Appendix A, pages 24 and 25, to have been frequently the case. His Honor
is of opinion that such charitable bequests should be expended upon some proper
system, under the full cognizance of the Inspector-General and the Government;
and he will be glad if Dr. Brown will submit his views upon this matter more
fully. Some of the items shown in the appendix are evidently moneys which
should be re-credited to Government. The balance of the advance of Rs. 3,000,
made to the Principal in 1868, and the savings in diet and hospital necessaries,
should be so treated. It is very irregular that these should have been treated
as deposits at the disposal of the hospital authorities. The matter must have
immediate attention, and a clear report is to be made without delay.
15. The experiment of training native midwives has not apparently been
very successful. Of ten women under training, three turned out to be of bad
moral character, one only attended a fortnight, and one was sent away for
disobedience of orders. In the case of the remaining five, however, a very fair
modicum of success seems to have been attained. Dr. Charles is, the Lieutenant-
Governor thinks, inclined to look too despondingly upon the experiment
while conducted in Calcutta, and infers from the bad conduct of three of the
women that this immorality is a necessary feature in the case. The Lieutenant-
Governor, however, observes that nothing is said of the character of the women
before their admission to the classes, and it would be indeed premature to abandon
such an important experiment when the results already attained are in some
degree promising. It would be impossible at a distance from Calcutta to carry
on the work of training as it can be carried on at the College Hospital.
16. The question of building a new hospital is still under discussion.
The Lieutenant-Governor has taken the most anxious interest in the question,
and pressed it repeatedly upon the attention of all those concerned. His only
desire is to ascertain precisely what can best be done with the means available