15
CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
66. General improvement. —During the year under report new hot and cold
baths were put up. The latrines were replaced by one set for the Europeans in
the west verandah, and another for the natives in the north-western corner.
The closed-up arches in the walls between the surgical and medical wards
have been opened, and the partitions to the west taken away to admit free and
thorough ventilation in all directions. New contagious wards have been sanc-
tioned, but have not been begun yet. A separate ward has been set apart for
cholera and poison cases among women. In the Eden hospital old bath-rooms.
have been altered and new drying-rooms made. Hot water arrangements have
been planned, and are shortly to be introduced. The washing arrangements (by
dhobis) still continue to be defective. New cooking ranges have been sanc-
tioned and ordered from England.
67. Establishment.—Mr. Knight, the steward of the hospital, has given
careful, effective and most satisfactory service throughout the year.
PRESIDENCY GENERAL HOSPITAL.
68. Surgeon-Major E. A. Birch was in charge of the hospital throughout
the year. There were several changes in the office of the first resident surgeon.
Dr. Murray held the office from 1st January to 13th April. Dr. Nicholson from
14th April to 14th August. Dr. Peck from 15th to 28th August. Dr. Russell
from 21st August to 27th November, and Dr. Nicholson again from 28th Novem-
ber to 31st December. Dr. Harris was the second resident surgeon, except
for two months, from 16th June to 15th August, during which period Dr. Peck
officiated for him.
69. The total number of patients treated during the year was 3,121
against 3,295 in 1882. They may be classified as follows:—
Sailors.
Non-paying.
Paying.
Total.
1880... ...
1,661
1,260
247
3,168
1881
...
... 1,444
1,180
239
2,863
1882
...
... 1,735
1,116
444
3,295
1883
...
... 1,622
928
571
3,121
70. The total number of paying patients in 1883 shows an increase, and
their payments as compared with the three preceding years were as follows:—
Rs. 5
per diem.
Rs. 3
per diem.
Rs. 2
per diem.
Re. 1
per diem.
Total.
1880
...
2
82
155
8
247
1881
...
4
93
117
25
239
1882
...
......
153
175
116
444
1883
...
......
216
260
95
571
71. The daily average number of sick was 148, viz. paying patients proper
25, paying seamen 77, and non-paying patients 46. In 1882 the daily average
was 151, and in the ten preceding years, including 1882, it was 158.98. The
total number treated was 3,121 against 3,288, the average of the decade.
72. There were 149 deaths against 148 in 1882, and the rate of mortality
per 1,000 treated was 47 in 1883 against 44, 47 and 32 in three preceding years.
The average rate of the decade is 42.52. Excluding the deaths from cholera,
the rate was 35.47 in 1883 against 35.26 in 1882.
73. Besides quadrennial repairs to the central building, portions of the
eastern building were converted into private rooms. The cooking accommodation
of the nurses' quarters was enlarged. The new latrines which were commenced
at the end of the previous year were finished during the year. Works for the
supply of filtered water were commenced by the public works department, and
are now finished and in use. "Regarding the nursing," Dr. Birch says: "The
sisters have undertaken the additional duty of assuming a supervising charge
of the crockery and cutlery in the wards greatly to my convenience to the
maintenance of discipline and the comfort of the patients."
74. There was not a single complaint against the sufficiency of the diet
scale. The expenditure on this head was considerably increased during the year,