( 5 )
251 minor operations were performed during the year. The latrine accommo-
dation is reported to be defective. This should receive the immediate attention
of the Superintendent, and no time should be lost in getting it put on a proper
footing. Dr. Birch considers that the diet is " certainly liberal," and reports
that he has never had a complaint from a patient since he has been in charge.
13. At the Campbell Hospital the number of admissions fell to 6,074.
The decrease is due to the reduction of available space, occasioned by the
repairs which were in progress for over five months of the year. Malarious
fever was the most prevalent disease, and contributed 1,491 cases. Next in
order came dysentery, diarrhœa, ulcers, and splenic affections. There were
84 cases of small-pox, of which 18 were among Europeans. There were 132
cases of cholera against 78 in 1880, and the number of deaths was 79 against
44. The total number of deaths was 1,442, and the death-rate per 1,000 was
237.4 against 230 in the previous year. If the moribund and cholera cases are
excluded, the true death-rate was 200. There were 11 obstetric cases with two
deaths. In these two cases the patients are said to have been admitted in a
moribund state.
A new scale of diet introduced during the year is favourably reported on.
The cook-sheds of the hospital are said to be in an unsatisfactory state, and
an observation ward is much wanted. The Superintendent should report what
steps he proposes to take to remedy these defects.
14. At the Mayo Hospital the most fatal disease was cholera, which occa-
sioned 83 deaths out of 160 cases, or 51.8 per cent. The mortality from fever
was slight, being only 10 per cent. One case is said to have presented all the
characteristics of true typhoid. The deaths from dysentery and diarrhœa
were very numerous. Many of the patients were admitted in a moribund state.
There were 173 operations with 21 deaths, which gives a percentage of 12.1.
15. At the Howrah Hospital 9,720 natives and 4,431 Europeans were
treated during the year. Among in-patients there was an increase of 58 Euro-
peans and 25 nat i ves; whi l e t her e was a f al l i ng of f among t he out - pat i ent s of
607 Europeans and 227 natives. This decrease is said to be only apparent and
due to the register being more carefully prepared. Of the Europeans, 276 were
sailors, against 196 in the year before; the total mortality was higher than
that of the previous year, the death-rate per 1,000 among European patients
being 44.77 in 1881 against 29.41 in 1880, while among natives it was
293.81 against 291. The Superintendent considers the new ward for natives
has been of great value in reducing the number of cases of septic poisoning
after severe injuries and operations. The water used in the hospital is
brought in skins from Calcutta, and is unfavourably noticed by the Superin-
tendent. The Surgeon-General will make the necessary enquiries on this
subject. The project of a water-supply to Howrah is under consideration.
The other arrangements of the hospital are satisfactory.
16. The financial results of the management of the Calcutta hospitals during
the year were, on the whole, satisfactory. The amount of invested capital rose
from Rs. 5,30,200 at the beginning of the year to Rs. 5,34,700 at its close.
The total expenditure, exclusive of the amount invested, was Rs. 4,03,250
against Rs. 3,85,186 in the previous year. The increase is due to the large
expenditure during the current year on building and repairs, chiefly in connec-
tion with the Campbell Hospital. The expenditure on this account rose from
Rs. 33,685 in 1880 to Rs. 74,309 in 1881. The reduction in the other main
heads of expenditure amounted to Rs. 22,560, of which Rs. 12,066 was under
the head of diet and stimulants. There is a difference of Rs. 4,226 between
the opening balance for 1881 and the closing balance shown in the Report for
1880. This is due to the inclusion in the accounts for the past year of the
receipts and disbursements of Prince Gholam Mahomed's Fund. The closing
balance for 1881 amounted to Rs. 13,364-12-4.
17. In the Medical College Hospital the total expenditure was Rs. 89,184
against Rs. 1,01,750 in 1880. There was a slight increase under the heads of
establishment and miscellaneous charges; all the other heads show a decrease.
The expenditure on bazar medicines in the hospital fell from Rs. 1,018 to Rs. 857,
and in the associated dispensary (Choonee Lal Seal's) it rose from Rs. 175 to
Rs. 370. The expenditure on Europe medicines was Rs. 9,204 against
Rs. 11,440. The latter sum included expenditure on instruments purchased