22
REPORT ON THE
Rs. 329 that of 1879, which has not been explained. Bazar medicines cost
also Rs. 252 more than in 1879. Of the special Government grant (Rs. 7,000)
Rs. 5,688 were expended on medical stores, the balance (Rs. 1,312) is reserved
for the first quarter of the current year. Dieting articles cost Rs. 5,849
against Rs. 5,611 in 1879. The daily average sick treated exceeded by one
only the corresponding figure of 1879. The average cost of each diet was two
annas eleven pies against two annas eight pies in 1879. Miscellaneous charges
were less by Rs. 4,452 than those of 1879. Building charges were nominal,
being Rs. 33 against Rs. 3,159 in 1879.
62. Howrah General Hospital.—This hospital is supported by contributions
from the East Indian Railway Company, the British India Steam Navigation
Company, and several of the manufacturing companies in the neighbourhood
of Howrah. The daily allowance received for seamen treated from the Port
Funds, the payments of patients, as well as income from other sources, also
materially contribute towards the maintenance of this hospital. Government
gives medicines, instruments, and forms, and an annual grant of Rs. 2,000 for
clothing and furniture, and bears the charge of the salary of the House
Surgeon and the supernumerary Assistant Surgeons.
63. On the 1st January there was an invested capital of Rs. 14,900 and
a cash balance of Rs. 13,191. Rs. 18,100 were invested during the year in
Government securities, and the total invested capital at the end of the year
was Rs. 33,000, with a floating balance of Rs. 1,403.
64. Government aid to this hospital amounted to Rs. 8,649 against
Rs. 15,304 in 1879. The high total in 1879 was due to a special grant of
Rs. 10,501 for extension of European accommodation. Deducting this special
grant, the item presents a considerable increase on that of 1879. In 1878 the
amount paid by Government was Rs. 9,910. Income from " Local and other
funds " have not been shown under this head in 1880, and appears to have been
included under the head of "Subscriptions," which exceed by Rs. 5,620 the
sum total of the income under these two heads in 1879. Municipal contribution
amounted to Rs. 2,929 against Rs. 2,722 in 1879, and the interest on invest-
ments rose to Rs. 875 from Rs. 637 in 1879.
65. The total expenditure was Rs. 34,950, exclusive of Rs. 17,251
invested during the year, against Rs. 28,434 in 1879. Establishment and
bazar medicines show reduction on the corresponding charges of 1879. The
expenditure on Europe medicines exceeded by Rs. 1,103 that of 1879, as
given in the last report. The true figure of the calendar year 1879 was
Rs. 1,688, and the true difference therefore was Rs. 616. Of this no explana-
tion has been offered. The total charges for medical stores in 1878 were
Rs. 4,573. Dieting articles cost Rs. 497 more than that of 1879. The daily
average cost was seven annas eleven pies for Europeans and Re. 0-1-7 for
Natives. Miscellaneous charges exhibit a considerable increase on those of
1879, but they exceed by Rs 194 only the expenditure of 1878. The cause
of this increased expenditure is unexplained. Building charges amounted to
Rs. 8,014 against Rs. 6,134 in 1879.
66. The following table has been prepared to show, as in my last report,
the number of sick treated and the money spent in treating them, irrespective
of outlay not connected with hospital management, as well as the entire outlay
of Government, including all charges. The total sum, viz. Rs. 2,33,642, exceeds
by Rs. 7,220 that of 1879, which was Rs. 2,26,422. The difference is explain-
ed by increase of building charges from Rs. 25,366 to Rs. 33,685, determined
chiefly by expenditure at the Medical College. I do not observe any entry in
the returns of this institution on account of taxes, or of the rent that is paid for
the Ophthalmic Hospital.