24
REPORT ON THE
65. Bhawánipur Dispensary .—This institution is maintained by the Calcutta
Corporation. The total expenditure was Rs. 2,509-2-10 against Rs. 2,200-0-9
in 1890.
66. Howrah General Hospital.—The total income from Government increased
by Rs. 213-9-7, the increase being due to larger expenditure on bedding
and clothing. The total income from local sources shows an increase of
Rs. 6,255-12-10 which was due to Rs. 4,172-8-0 having been obtained by sale
of securities and to larger receipts from paying-patients. The contribution by
the Municipality during the year 1891 was the same as in the previous year.
Dr. Murray, however, made efforts to have the municipal grant raised, with
the result that the Municipality has increased the contributions during the
current year from Rs. 2,400 to Rs. 3,600 annually. The cost of establish-
ment shows an increase of Rs. 1,521-12-3, the Hospital Committee having raised
the pay of the apothecary by Rs. 50 per mensem. The pay of the Assistant
Surgeon was also raised by Rs. 50 owing to his promotion to the first
grade. There was an increase under the head of bazar medicines, diet,
and miscellaneous charges which is attributed to the larger number of patients
treated during the year. There was, however, a saving under the head of
Europe medicines. The outlay on building and repairs shows an increase of
Rs. 4,178-11-9, attributable to quadrennial repairs. Deducting the building
charges, the total expenditure of the hospital was Rs. 24,121-1-11 against
Rs. 20,127-8-5 in 1890.
67. Invested capital.—There was an addition of Rs. 10,000 to the capital of
the Mayo Native Hospital, while securities to the value of Rs. 4,000 were sold
at the Howrah Hospital to meet the cost of quadrennial repairs.
68. Subjoined are further abstracts from the reports of the Superintendents
of the several institutions :—
69.
Medical College Hospital .—Brigade-Surgeon E. A. Birch, M.D., was in
charge of the Hospital throughout the year. Brigade-Surgeon R. C. Chandra held
the office of 2nd Physician up to the forenoon of the 18th October 1891, when he
retired from the service, and was succeeded by Surgeon-Major J. F. P. McConnell,
who held the post for the rest of the year. Brigade-Surgeon K. McLeod held the
office of 1st Surgeon throughout the year. Brigade-Surgeon D. O'Connell Raye
held the office of 2nd Surgeon throughout the year. Surgeon-Major R. C. Sanders
held the office of Ophthalmic Surgeon up to the 4th August 1891, and again from
the 26th October to the end of the year. Surgeon Leahy held the office from
5th August to 25th October. Surgeon-Major C. H. Joubert was in charge of
the office of Obstetric Physician throughout the year, except for one month and
two days, viz., from 8th August to 9th September, when he was on privilege leave
and Surgeon J. H. T. Walsh officiated for him.
70. The total number of indoor patients treated in 1891 was 6,803 against
6,741 in 1890, showing an increase of 62 patients, which was due to the beds of
the eye infirmary which fell vacant by the transfer of eye cases to Sham Churn
Law's eye hospital having been occupied by other medical and surgical cases.
The daily average strength was 371.77 against 354.16 in 1890. There
were 632 deaths; and, calculating the rate of mortality on the total number of
patients, exclusive of ophthalmic cases, which numbered 531 in 1891 and 602
in 1890, the death-rate was 10.07 per cent. against 9.26 in 1890. The increase
is accounted for by a larger number of admissions of moribunds and of cases in the
last stage of disease. The Principal remarks that the larger admissions of
such patients during the year was possibly due to the enforcement of stringent
orders that no patients who are likely to die should be sent away whether there
are beds vacant or not. There were treated at the European wards 3,092
patients of whom 146 died, giving a death-rate of 4.72 per cent. The correspond-
ing figures in 1890 were 3,051, 141, and 4.62. The daily average attendance
was 162.86, against 158.64 in the previous year. There were treated 3,711 native
indoor patients against 3,690 in 1890, the daily average attendance being 208.91
and 195.52, respectively. There were 486 deaths, or a rate of 13 09 per cent.,
against 11.59 per cent. in 1890. Cholera cases increased by 20 as compared with
the previous year, the figures being 151 against 131 in 1890. Cholera did not
break out among patients who were under treatment in the Hospital for other
diseases. There were treated 56,227 outdoor patients against 52,108 in 1890,