47
On comparing the mortality rate according to the castes, and excluding Jews and
Parsees (whose number is too small for comparison), it appears that Christians
had the least mortality (51.61 per cent.), Mahomedans stand next with 53.33 per
cent,, and then Hindoos with 57.25 per cent. Amongst the latter the mortality in
the males and females was almost equal, the children having a ten per cent lower
rate. The number of females and children amongst the former is not large enough
for purposes of comparison.
7. General Observations.—Although the number of patients admitted during
March and April was less than that of the previous three months, the type of the
disease was much the same and the patients continued to be brought in when too
far advanced for any treatment ; in fact many of them were found dying and a few
dead when removed from, ambulances and vans. Thus, out of 193 patients admitted
in March, more than a fourth (54) succumbed within the first 24 hours, a majority
of the deaths taking place within the first few hours after admission, and 34 died
within the following 24 hours, showing that, out of the total mortality (130), more
than three-fifths of deaths occurred within 48 hours after admission. Similarly
in April, 34 patients died out of 60 admitted. But out of this, half the mortality (17)
occurred within 24 hours and a little more than a third within 48 hours—that is,
more than five-sixths of the total mortality was within 48 hours. The type of cases
admitted in May and June was certainly milder than in the previous months, and in
June especially the cases were extremely anomalous and non-typical, entailing
prolonged observation before they could be finally declared as plague. But even in
May advanced and moribund cases were frequently admitted, and it is found
that, out of the total mortality (10), 7 patients succumbed within 24 hours and 1
within 48 hours of admission—that is, four-fifths of the total mortality occurred
within 48 hours of admission. The month of June reveals, however, a better state
of affairs ; 41 patients were admitted during this month (including 12 convalescents
from other hospitals), and of these, 6 died ; 2 deaths taking place within 24 and 1
within 48 hours of admission.
8. The above is a short statistical summary of the work done at the Arthur
Road Hospital. A detailed report on the clinical aspects of the disease has been
begun and will be submitted to the Municipal Commissioner for the City of Bombay.
9. Voluntary Medical help was rendered to me by Drs. Pilgaokar, Miss
Manek Atmaram Tarkhad, and E. F. Underwood during this period, and I can-
not sufficiently thank them all for their ready and willing co-operation.
10. Conduct of the Establishment.—The whole establishment has worked
with praiseworthy zeal and devotion, and I would specially refer to the services of
the late Dr. P. N. Dauda, Assistant Medical Officer, who sacrificed his life in the
discbarge of the onerous duties of the post, as well as to the untiring zeal and
devotion of Hospital Assistants, Samuel Samson, Pandharinath Bhowanrao, and
Chunilal Chotalal, who were always ready and willing to work night or day. The
subordinate establishment has also given me entire satisfaction.
11. Nursing.—No praise could be too high for the essentially Christian and
humane work of the Sisters of AH Saints, who have helped in nursing the patients
during the most trying period of the epidemic, and whose noble, devoted, and self-
sacrificing work will ever remain memorable and will add another bright chapter to
their long history of other philanthropic work both in England and India. The
Bombay trained nurses and probationers have worked to my entire satisfaction,
and the way in which they discharged their onerous and distressing duties
reflects great credit on Miss Atkinson of the Cama Hospital, under whom some of
them had received, and were receiving, training. Miss Atkinson, Dr. Eichardson, and
Mr. Lloyd (of Calcutta) also helped in voluntary nursing, besides three English ladies
Miss Morley, Miss Hale und Miss Kendall.