( 6 )
hospital appears to be very high as compared with others. From the report,
however, it is gathered that the rate among Europeans was last year only
46.90 per mille, or very little over the General Hospital rate. Among the
natives, on the other hand, the mortality was very high, 263 among 700 patients.
Of these, 149 were moribund when admitted; but even the death-rate among
patients not of this class was 194.52 per mille. The cause of this is probably
the fact that Howrah is the terminus of a great railway line, and surrounded by
factories of various kinds—causes which would bring into hospital many
natives who would elsewhere have died in their houses unattended. But a
special report on this subject is urgently required.
30. It is curious to notice that in this hospital the admissions from
cholera were few and the death-rate small, though cholera was understood to
be at one time prevalent in Howrah. The admissions and results were—
Europeans ...
Admitted
13
Death-rate 266.6
Natives
... Admitted 45
Death-rate 325.0
31. There has been a falling off in the number of European in-door
patients for some years past, attributed (1) to the establishment of the Sailors'
Home on the Calcutta side; (2) to the removal of many of the railway staff to
Assensole; and (3) to diminished popularity owing to changes in staff. The
Lieutenant-Governor hopes that the last cause at any rate has now been
removed. The liberality with which the employés of the East Indian Railway
came forward to help the institution when in want of funds shows that its
usefulness is appreciated, and the reforms lately introduced ought to have a
good effect. The Government contribution to the hospital is liberal, and
nothing more can be given should the medical officer's fears of deficiency of
funds be realized.
32. The Calcutta Lock-Hospital reports have been reviewed in a separate
resolution on the working of the Contagious Diseases' Act in Calcutta.
33. The Lieutenant-Governor will, in conclusion, ask the Surgeon-General
to assure the gentlemen under whose able professional management the
various institutions above reviewed are placed, of the continued interest which
the Government takes in their labors and their results. His Honor's thanks
are tendered to each and all of them, but their best reward is the consciousness
that they are doing much to relieve suffering and advance the cause of medical
science.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
A. MACKENZIE,
Offg. Secretary to the Government of Bengal.
No. 3199.
COPY, with a copy of the report, submitted for information to the Secretary
to the Government of India, Home Department, with the request (with refer-
ence to paragraph 20) that the orders of the Financial Department Resolution,
No. 402 of the 23rd May 1871, may be relaxed, as an exceptional case, and
permission granted for the purchase of books, locally, for the use of the
Presidency General Hospital and the other Medical Institutions.
No. 3200.
COPY forwarded to the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department, for
information and guidance.
No. 3201.
COPY, with a copy of the report, forwarded to the Chairman of the Justices
for information and guidance, with special reference to paragraphs 6, 9, 17, 22,
and 23.