18
REPORT ON THE
80. The total number of paying patients in 1882 shows a considerable
increase, and their classes, as compared with the two preceding years, were as
follows :—
Rs. 5 per
diem.
Rs. 3 per
diem.
Rs. 2 per
diem.
Be 1 per
diem.
Total.
1880
...
. . .
2
82
155
8
247
1881
...
. . .
4
93
117
25
239
1882
. . .
...
. . .
153
175
116
444
81. The daily average number of sick was 151, viz. paying patients
proper 19, paying seamen 74, and non-paying 58. In 1881 the daily average
was 136, and in the ten preceding years (including 1881) it was 162. The
total number treated was almost exactly the same as the average of the
decade.
82. There were 148 deaths against 137 in 1881, and the rate of mortality
per 1,000 treated was 44 in 1882 against 47, 32, and 45 in three preceding
years. The average rate of the decade was 42. Excluding the deaths from
cholera, the rate was 35 against 37 in 1881. Of cholera 62 cases were treated
with 34 deaths, against 53 and 32 in 1881. Dysentery caused 8 deaths in 195
cases, against 11 in 161. Dr. Harris, the officiating 2nd resident surgeon, has
paid much attention to the subject of the treatment of dysentery, and has sub-
-mitted a very interesting report on it. The Superintendent is of opinion that the
results are of considerable importance and very valuable. There were 12 cases
of typhoid fever treated, of which 6 proved fatal. Subject to certain doubt
before mentioned, remittent fever was the cause of 4 deaths in 40 cases.
Phthisis caused 9 deaths in 63 cases, against 16 and 47 in 1881. There were
treated 187 children, of whom 12 died, or a rate of 64 per 1,000. Seventy-
nine major operations were performed against 59 in 1881. Minor operations
numbered 176 cases against 251.
83. Quadrennial repairs to the eastern building were completed, and some
improvements were made in the private patients' quarters of the western
building. The buildings generally are in a bad state of repair, and, the floors
especially require renewing. The construction of new latrines has been
commenced since the end of the year. The nursing of the patients, under
the supervision of the Clewer sisterhood, has been carried out with energy
and efficiency, and the superintendent is thoroughly satisfied with the manner
in which it has been performed. Regarding the dieting of the patients,
Dr. Birch says that "throughout the whole year not a single complaint of
insufficiency has been made. Indeed, this would be impossible, considering the
extremely liberal scale of diet which has been adopted. Comparing our diet
scale with that of London and Australian hospitals, I find no scale so liberal
as ours; and, indeed, it is pretty well tested, as we always have in the institu-
tion a certain number of sailors, whose powers of consuming food are in no
way impaired by the complaints from which they are suffering." The
establishment has been revised during the year. Cholera appeared in the wards
of the central building in November. Altogether six cases occurred, but
Dr. Birch could not trace the source.
84. Filtered water was supplied for drinking, but there was possible
defilement from the manner of its distribution, which has been improved.
The water-supply of this hospital will not be thoroughly satisfactory until
filtered water shall have been supplied directly from the mains to the wards.
CAMPBELL HOSPITAL.
85. Surgeon-major S. C. Mackenzie was in charge of the hospital from
1st January to 10th April, on which date he was relieved by Surgeon-major
F. C. Nicholson, who held charge of the institution till the close of the year.
86. The number of admissions into the hospital was 5,290 against 5,675
in 1881, or less by 385 patients. The daily average number of patients treated
was 350 against 372 in 1881. Malarious fevers, as usual, head the list of
diseases treated, being 1,247 against 1,491 in 1881. The diseases next in order
of prevalence were dysentery, diarrhœa, ulcers, and splenic affections. Admis-
sions from all these diseases in 1882 show reduced numbers as compared with
the corresponding figures of the preceding year, except from diarrhœa, which