17
CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
charitable dispensary, with a further sum of Rs. 50,000 for maintenance, the
building was nearly completed in 1879 on ground closely adjoining the
hospital.
77. Dr. Smith reports favourably of the services of Mr. R. F. Knight,
formerly apothecary, and now steward of the hospital.
PRESIDENCY GENERAL HOSPITAL.
78. Surgeon-Major Jones was in charge of this hospital throughout the
year.
79. The total number of patients treated was 3,115, to compare with
4,164 in 1878. This is ascribed to the reduced number of seamen in port.
The admissions from the shipping had been 2,748 in number in 1878, whereas
in 1879 they were only 1,790. With the reception of nearly all sick seamen
into this hospital in 1879, the decrease of seafaring population would have
been scarcely sufficient to produce this large difference, if it had not been
aided by the greater healthiness of the year. From the resident community
there were 1,325 admissions in 1879, against 1,416 in 1878. Much attention
was given during the year to the exclusion of trivial cases of illness which did
not require indoor treatment, and to timely removal after recovery. The
average daily number of sick in 1879 was 134, against 167 in the previous
year, and of sailors 85, against 130.
80. The greater healthiness of the season is seen in the reduced admis
-
sions from fever in 1879, which numbered 944, against 1,347 in 1878. There
were fewer cases of cholera than in any previous year, except 1871, of which
only four were received from the town and 35 from the shipping, principally
from the moorings at Hastings, Prinsep's Ghât, and the Esplanade. Dysentery
and diarrhœa bore a large proportion to the total sickness among the seamen.
Of heat apoplexy only two cases were received,—the smallest number for many
years.
81. Of the total number of cases treated, 142, or 45.5 per 1,000,
died, against 33 in 1878, and against an average of 44.9 for ten previous
years, when trivial cases were not excluded. The diseases to which Dr. Jones
ascribes increased mortality were hepatic abscess, dysentery, and diarrhœa.
82. The death-rate of males was 39 per 1,000, and that of females
56, and of children 108. Many of the children were received in almost hope
-
less condition, and several of them actually moribund.
CAMPBELL HOSPITAL.
83. Dr. S. C. Mackenzie was in charge of this hospital for nine months
of the year. He was absent on privilege leave for the remaining three
months, during which time Dr. F. C. Nicholson officiated. Mr. C. I. Dissent
was Deputy Superintendent throughout the year.
84. The admissions in 1879 were 7,810, less by 2,794 than in the
previous year, but more numerous than in any other year on record. The average
daily number in the wards was nearly equal to that of 1878. In 1879 no
persons were admitted for blindness or incurable conditions, and the orders
of Government were carried out, which restrict the patients to a maximum of
467 with certain exceptions. The health of the town contributed largely to
the decrease. Notwithstanding the restriction there were at one time 508
persons under treament. This hospital still holds persons who have lived there
for long periods and are quite incurable. Its utility is thereby impaired, but
the evil will diminish gradually. The disposal of these persons is a matter
of some difficulty.
85. Malarious fevers were very abundant here in 1879, though less so
than in 1878. Dysentery and diarrhœa were next in frequency. From small
-
pox there were 57 cases, against 33 in 1878 among Europeans, and 231 native
cases against 262. Towards the end of the year cases appeared in ordinary
numbers the epidemic had ceased. Admissions from cholera were more numer
-
ous than before, 227 against 117 in 1878. This was due to the reception of
cases from the inland cooly depôts under the orders of Government. The
change would seem to have been advantageous, for in the depôt coolies