CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS. 11
contributed their quota of cholera cases still seem to have retained their unenviable noto-
riety in this respect. Such a result must beyond doubt be dependent either on a total
absence of all sanitary arrangements, or on an extremely faulty and defective condition of
such as may exist. However, by the introduction of a pure water-supply and a thorough
system of drainage, conjoined with such conservancy and other sanitary improvements as
have been already so forcibly represented by the Health Officer to be necessary, I would hope
that the report of each succeeding year may show a decreasing number of cases of cholera
and deaths from it. Cholera, as observed in Calcutta, may be considered as mainly engen-
dered by those impurities imparted by the combined influence of filth and bad drainage, to
those two chief essentials for the preservation of the public health, viz. pure air and an
uncontaminated water-supply.
25. It will be noticed in statement No. VII that there was, as compared with 1875,
an increase of cholera in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th divisions of the city, and in the west
suburban district. The increase in the 5th and 6th divisions was well marked. There was
also an increase in the number of cases of cholera admitted from the riverside, which, in the
case of the shipping at the Esplanade moorings, shows a great increase on the numbers
registered in 1875.
26. In Table No. I of the Appendix will be found a list of the more important
surgical operations performed in the various hospitals. There were 669 of these operations
performed, with a death-rate of 11.06 per cent. The greatest number of operations was
performed, as might be expected, in the Medical College, the Mayo, and the General Hospitals.
It is very satisfactory to observe that in the Medical College Hospital out of 40 deaths
following operation, but two could be assigned to hospitalism, viz. one from pyæmia and one
from erysipelas. Such a result is most encouraging, and points to an improved sanitary
condition of the wards, even before the intended enlargement of the institution now under
consideration has been commenced.
27. A detailed statement of the income and expenditure of the Calcutta medical
institutions will be found in Table No. II of the Appendix. The total income of the year was
Rs. 6,27,044-13-1 and the expenditure Rs. 5,07,473-6-7, so that on the 31st December there
was a balance in hand of Rs. 1,19,571-6-6.
28. The Principal of the Medical College and the Superintendent of the General
Hospital (see the summary reports of these hospitals) report very favourably of the present
system of nursing carried on in connection with, and under the superintendence of, the
Calcutta Hospital Nurses' Institution and the gifted Lady Superintendent of the Lady Canning
Home. To those ladies who have so generously devoted a considerable portion of their time
in superintending the nursing arrangements and exerting their influence in collecting funds
wherewith to extend the usefulness of this institution, is due the lasting gratitude of the
citizens of Calcutta and of the shipping population generally of this port. The institution
itself is well deserving of that pecuniary support which is still so much needed by it, in order
to permit of the employment and proper training of a greater number of nurses. The
annual statement of the Nurses' Institution will be found further on in this report.
29. The general repairs of the hospital buildings seem to have been well attended
to during the past year. In some hospitals certain important sanitary improvements were
made inside the buildings, as well as in the grounds surrounding them. I refrain from
making any allusion either to the proposed erection of new buildings, or to the alterations
which have been proposed in those at present in occupation, as I am of opinion that in every
case, more particularly in the case of hospitals where a considerable sum of public money is
likely to be expended, it is more satisfactory for Government, for the Medical Department, and
for all concerned to have the expediency for such alterations or new buildings determined on,
as is the case at present, by a thoroughly competent committee, rather than to incur expense
on the ipse dixit of any officer, even though his opinion may be ever so reliable. As to the
improvements which have been effected during the year, and regarding others which were
considered necessary, I would refer to paragraph 26 of the report of the Medical College
Hospital, to paragraphs 12, 18, 20, and 21 of that of the General Hospital, to paragraphs
14, 15, 16, 17, and 18 of the Campbell Hospital, and to paragraph 17 of the Howrah
Hospital.
30. The following changes took place amongst the hospital staff during the year. Dr.
Norman Chevers, who was Principal of the Medical College, and ex officio first Physician to
the Medical College Hospital since the 27th April 1861, retired from the service on the
31st March, having served Government, both faithfully and with great ability, for a period
of nearly 28 years. It may be unnecessary to review the eminent services rendered by
Dr. Chevers during the long period he was Principal of the Medical College, as they are well
known to Government, and were acknowledged by His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor in
the resolution on my report of these institutions for 1875. I may, however, remark that, in
publishing his able paper on the health of the European soldiers in India, he set the
machinery in motion by which the necessity for a more extended knowledge of hygiene
became so apparent, and by means of which the condition of the British soldiers serving in
India, as well as of their families, has of late years become so materially improved. With
Increaee of
cholera in certain
divisions.
Income and
expenditure.
Nursing.
Buildings.
Changes amongst
the hospital staff.