CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
25
out-door patients were treated in excess of the number in 1889, and this accession
in the number of patients is attributed to the unhealthiness of the year and to the
increased popularity of the institution.
65. Several improvements have been effected during the year in the
hospital under the energetic management of the Principal Surgeon-Major E. A.
Birch. The one, of most importance is the remodelling of the latrines at the east
end of the hospital. The Principal, gives the following account of the steam
laundry :—" The laundry has been working since 15th October, and has proved
a s u c c e s s ; t h e c l o t h e s a r e m u c h c l e a n e r , b e i n g f r e e o f a l l b l o o d a n d p u s s t a i n s ,
which used to exist largely when washed by the dhobies, and our patients can be
kept cleaner, as we get our washing once a week, whereas by the old system we
seldom got it before 14 or 15 days."
66. Presidency General Hospital.—Surgeon-Major A. Crombie, M.D., was in
charge of the hospital throughout the year, except for three months, viz., from
29th July to 28th October, when he was on privilege leave, and Surgeon-Major
J. F. P. McConnell acted for him. Surgeon J . ffrench-Mullen held the office of
1st Resident Surgeon from 1st January to 5th March, and Surgeon J. Clarke
from 6th March to 12th August, and again from 13th November to the end of
the year. During the period from 13th August to 12th November the office
was held by Surgeon J. H. T. Walsh. The office of 2nd Resident Surgeon
was held by Surgeon Clarke from 1st January to 5th March, and by Surgeon
Walsh from 9th March to 12th August, and again from 13th November to the
end of the year. From 13th August to 12th November the office was held by
Surgeon J. R. Adie.
67. The total number of patients treated was 3,105, against 3,190 in 1889.
These figures are exclusive of those cases entered u nder the head of "no appre-
ciable diseases," the numbers of which were 150 in 1890 and 173 in the previous
year. A smaller number of seamen was admitted in 1890, there having been
fewer ships with European crews in port. The daily average number of patients
was 151.23, against 168 .80 in 1889. There were 112 deaths, or a rate of 36.07
per mille, against 127 and 39 .8 respectively in 1889. The total number of
children treated in 1890 increased by 61, and the number of deaths among
them was 15, against 20 in 1889. The number of cholera cases treated was
15 with 12 deaths, and the death-rate was 800 per mille, against 444 per mille
in the previous year. Seven patients were treated with " salol," resulting in five
deaths. Six were treated on the plan adopted by Brigade Surgeon Ross, five
of them being fatal. One case had the " vagus " treatment and died, and one
died immediately on admission. Excluding the deaths from cholera, the
death-rate of the hospital stands at 32 .36 per mille, against 36.35 in 1889.
68. The Superintendent reports that the following improvements were
done in the hospital during 1890 :—The old covered drains which used to deliver
gas from the main sewer in different parts of the compound, more or less close
to the wards, were replaced by open drains throughout the compound, a parti-
tion wall was erected between the children's and the female ward, and the
wards of the paying patients were better furnished.
69. Mayo Institutions.— Surgeon-Major R. C. Sanders was in charge of
these institutions throughout the year.
70. Mayo Hospital.—There were treated 1,814 in-patients, against 1,863
in 1889. The daily average number of patients was 83 .8, against 86.8 in the
previous year. There were 226 deaths, or a rate of 124 .5 per mille, against
260 and 139.5 respectively in 1889. The diminution in the death-rate was due
to less mortality from tubercular diseases, general injuries, and cholera. The
number of patients treated for cholera was 117, of whom 56 died, or at the rate
of 478.6 per mille, against 577 .9 per mille in 1889. The total number of out-
door patients decreased, the figures being 27,976, against 31,437 in 1889.
71.
Chandney Hospital.—T h e
t o t a l n u m b e r o f i n - d o o r p a t i e n t s t r e a t e d s h o w s
a decrease of 89, the figures being 326 in 1890 and 415 in 1889. The daily
average number of patients was 11, against 12.55 in the previous year. There
were 13 deaths, or a rate of 39.8, against 69 .87 in 1889. The Superintendent,
with regard to this diminution in the rate of mortality, remarks :—" In a small
hospital it is very difficult to account for it. In 1890 there were not so many
cholera cases brought to the hospital, nor were there so many moribund cases
admitted as in 1889. In 1890 the deaths from malarial fevers were less than