10
REPORT ON THE
Inferences drawn
from the table.
This table shows a remarkable and close accord between the municipal
and hospital results. Fever, dysentery, and diarrhœa prevailed much more
severely during the last half of the year. The marked increase of cholera
during the months of November and December is a striking circumstance, and
clearly brought out by both series of figures. Dengue prevailed in Calcutta
throughout the year, but the months of its greatest severity were April, May,
June, July, and August. This statement will bear interesting comparison
with similar statements in. future years. A series of such tables discussed
cautiously in relation to the meteorology of the years to which they refer, may
lead to interesting deductions.
MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL.
10. Dr. D. B. Smith's valuable report gives a most complete and instruc-
Number of pati-
ents treated.
S T A T E M E N T S N o . X I .
CLASSES OFF PATIENTS.
1872.
1871.
In-door patients (medical and surgical)
•••
3,565
3,143
Midwifery ward (in-door)
...
..•
1,063
745
Eye Infirmary...
535
507
Total In-door...
5 , 1 6 3
4,395
Out-door patients (medical and surgical)
...
24,644
25,491
Admission-room...
...
...
6 4 9
763
Dispensary for women and children ......
11,892
12,049
Ophthalmic Dispensary ...
...
...
3,981
3,963
...
Dental Dispensary
...
...
1,047
1,184
Total Out-door
...
42,213
43.450
Grand Total
...
47,376
47,845
tive account of the transac-
tions of this important hos-
pital during the year. The
tables appended to the
report set forth the statis-
tics in detail. The work
done in the several depart-
ments of the institution is
shown in summary in the
accompanying statement in
contrast with the preceding
year. The total number of
patients treated appears to
be less than that of 1871
by 469. This is shown,
however, to be due to a
more correct system of re-
gistration rather than to a
decline in the number of
persons treated. The pre-
Death--rates
sent system of recording a patient as one case treated, however long or
repeated his attendance, is undoubtedly the correct one. The number of in-
door patients treated exceeded that of 1871 by 768. The apparent decrease of
out-door patients was 1,237.
11. It is satisfactory, again, to be able to draw attention to a reduced death-
rate. Dr. Smith's report treats exhaustively of the mortality rate of 1872, as
compared with previous years among Christians (Europeans and Eurasians)
and natives. Table E of his report is a most instructive one, showing the
mortality of each class during the past decade. The higher mortality of
natives and the reduced death-rates of the last three years among both classes
are clearly exhibited. The table also shows the number of moribunds (patients
dying within 24 hours). The number of these has been rather higher than
in the two preceding years. The principal's remarks very truly show that many
patients besides might be included in this class, but it is better to draw a hard
line for statistical purposes, even if it is not quite natural than have an in-
definite heading, dependent on the varying opinions of different officers which
would not permit of a correct comparison of different years and institutions.
The reduction of mortality during the last three years is consonant with the
general conclusion which has been established above, and may, with pretty
strong probability, be attributed to an improved supply of water and other •
sanitary achievements.