12
cannot, with the information before them, say that the diseases have re-
sulted from sanitary shortcomings in connection with the college premises
and surroundings.
11th.—That the Committee are of opinion that the establishment
maintained by the Society should be of sufficient strength to ensure efficient
sanitation.
12th.—That the Municipality should be requested to deal as speedily
as practicable with the sewerage, drainage, water-filtration and latrine ac-
commodation of Parel.
Since the last annual report of the college was written, certain improve-
ments in the sanitary condition of the hospital have been effected; but still it
is far from satisfactory. I hope, however, that the resolutions of the Committee
will be acted upon at an early date and in as practical a manner as possible. It
is some satisfaction to note that a few of the remedies suggested by my predeces-
sors in office, by the Assistant Professor, and myself, have been partially, but in
a slip-shod manner, carried out by the hospital authorities. They comprise:—
(a) The cutting down and lopping the lower branches of the trees in
the compound which were an obstruction to light and air.
(b) Repairing and remetalling the main roads.
(c) Cleansing and closing of the under-ground drains in the old horse
ward.
(d) Contents of the cess-pools carted to Mahálakshmi.
(e) Ground ventilators constructed in the old horse ward.
(f) The isolation ward discontinued to be used for contagious cases.
(g) Introduction of the dry-earth system.
(h) Filling up and raising the level in parts of the compound where
water lodged.
(i) Construction of a receptacle for stable refuse.
Clinical instruction.
19. The Hospital contains to afford a fair field for purposes of clinical
instruction, and a great boon to the poor and needy
garry-wallah ; but it is much to be regretted that the
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals should have thought fit to
issue an order prohibiting the admission of any horses other than those the pro-
perty of hack-garry owners.
This order has brought about a deal of unnecessary suffering, because many
sick and lame animals have been turned away from the hospital doors which,
most certainly from a humane standpoint, should have been admitted. Clinical
facilities, too, have lost very considerably in this way. The Hospital authorities
even turn away many cases belonging to the very class of men they profess to
befriend, heedless of our remonstrances that it is cruelty to do so in some in-
stances, and also that several of them would be valuable to us for teaching pur-
poses.
The records of the hospital show :—
(a) Number of in-patients—1,738 cases were admitted in 1891 as
compared with 1,504 in 1890, showing an increase of 234. The daily
average was 158, in 1890 it stood at 142, an increase of 16. This increase
is due to the fact that Government have during the year appointed the
hospital an infirmary, under Sub-Section 2, Section 6 of Act XI of 1890,
and in consequence a large number of cases have been sent by the Magis-
trates of Bombay for care and treatment.
(b) Horses.—The number of horses admitted during the year fell consi-
derably, as one out of the two stables was closed for the latter half of the
year undergoing repairs, closing of underground drains and relaying floors.
(c) Out-patients.—There is an increase from 728 in 1890 to 874 in
1891.
(d) Mortality.—The rate of mortality in horses and cattle stands the
same as in previous years ; but in dogs it shows a decrease of 10 per cent.