( 7 )
The returns for 1879 are, Dr. Payne observes, silent as to the " acute
œdema," supposed to be Beri-beri, which has attracted so much attention in
Calcutta in the present year. There seems to be no doubt that, though there
is a slight relative improvement in 1879, Calcutta has since 1874 become more
unhealthy, as regards serious fevers, than it was in 1871-73.
18. It is satisfactory to observe that the cinchona alkaloid has now
thoroughly established itself in the Calcutta hospitals as a sufficient remedy in
fever cases. During 1879, 165lb were used as against 23lb of quinine. In
1876 the expenditure was 1lb of the alkaloid against 195lb of quinine.
19. Paragraphs 19 to 64 of the Report are devoted to an elaborate
analysis of the finance of the different hospitals. This is chiefly of value as
establishing a basis of comparison for future years. It has not been found
possible to reduce the accounts of past years to the same standards of com-
parison, though a good deal of useful information is given upon most of the
headings. In future separate statements of the capital and current income
accounts should be given, and instructions should be issued, in communication,
if necessary, with the Accountant-General, for preparing the financial returns of
all the hospitals upon a uniform principle. The Governors of the Mayo
Hospital will, the Lieutenant-Governor feels sure, be ready to introduce any
changes of system necessary to make their returns comparable at all points with
those of the Government institutions.
20. The Lieutenant-Governor does not propose to follow the Surgeon-
General through his careful and exhaustive examination of details. The
following statement, showing the work and cost of working of the several
institutions, is given by Dr. Payne as the result of his enquiries:-
AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE.
C o s t o f e s t a b l i s h m e n t , e x c l u d - i n g c o m m i s s i o n e d o f f i c e r s .
C o s t o f E n g l i s h a n d b a z a r m e d i c i n e s .
C o s t o f d i e t s , e x t r a s , a n d s t i m u l a n t s .
M i s c e l l a n e o u s c h a r g e s .
T o t a l e x p e n d i t u r e o n t h e s i c k . E x p e n d e d b y G o v e r n m e n t , i n c l u s i v e o f b u i l d i n g c h a r g e s .
In-patients.
Out-patients.
All races.
E u r o p e a n s a n d E u r a s i a n s .
N a t i v e s .
T o t a l . ,
E u r o p e a n s a n d E u r a s i a n s .
N a t i v e s . T o t a l .
I n - p a t i e n t s . O u t - p a t i e n t s .
Rs. Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
Rs.
,Medical College Hospital 131 162 293 ..,... 421 421 293 421 (1) 48,343 13,761 30,884 11,576 1,04,564 (1)1,00,933
o (including Eye Infirm-
ary).
(General Hospital ... 134 ... -. 134
131
24,498 6,137 23,008 4,928 59,471 33,422
Campbell .
... ...... 404 404
404
23,692 4,220 21,086 7,322 59,320 36,912
Police
,,
-. ......
96 96
96
5,207
587 6,112
931 12,840 2,877
Mayo
........
91 94 .... 1,476 1,476 91 1,476 27,538 5,513 5,611 11,651 50,313 36,974
,Howrali General Hospital
M.
27 43 70 ... 118 134 70 134 11,050 1,433 5,498 4,316 22,297 (2) 15,304
0 (1)-This includes Rs. 12,000 debitahle to hospital as salaries of two resident commissioned officers who are in excess of hospital staff of other institutions.
0f tins amount, Rs. 6,000 only was entered in the returns and the financial statement.
;v: (2)-Including a special grant of Rs. 10,501 for building.
21. Surgeon-General remarks that the cost of the Medical College
Hospital is exceedingly high, both absolutely and proportionately. In 1879 the
daily average cost of diets was 6 annas 7½ or 7¾ pies for European as agains
t 6 annas in 1878, and 3 annas 1½ pie (nearly) for natives as against 3 annas 8 pies
in 1878. The cost of native diets is considerably more than in any other hospital.
The charge for stimulants was much the same as in 1878, Rs. 806 against
Rs. 814, compared with Rs. 3,530 in 1877 and Rs. 4,607 in 1876. The cost of
medical stores and of miscellaneous items was much higher than in 1878. Dis-
bursements to patients from special endowments were thrice the amount of 1878,
though the class of persons for whom they were intended was less numerous.
The Lieutenant-Governor is, however, well satisfied that these endowments
should be fully utilised, and he is sure that the officers administering them will
see that they are not squandered. The report should in future years contain
some account of the appropriation of such funds during the year under review.
The expenditure on diets still leaves a margin within the maximum sanctioned
by Government for ordinary purposes, and there is no reason whatever to doubt
that, by paying due attention to their administrative duties, the medical officers
of the hospital will be able to do full justice to their patients under existing
regulations. The Lieutenant-Governor has already said that if the rates sanc-
tioned are not enough to secure good unadulterated milk for the patients,