CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.
19
exhibits an increase of 46. The admissions from phthisis fell considerably
during the year, being 164 against 214 in 1881. Pneumonia shows an increase
of seven cases. For small-pox four Europeans and 21 natives were admitted,
against 18 and 67 in 1881. This decrease exactly corresponds with the preva--
lence of small-pox in and around Calcutta. Of the 21 cases of natives admitted,
seven were from the port, being mostly pilgrims from the shipping. There were
two deaths in four cases of Europeans, and one in 21 cases of natives.
There were admitted 186 cases of cholera, against 132 and 78 in 1881
and 1880, and the numbers of deaths were 134, 79, and 44 respectively.
The total number of deaths was 1,405 to compare with 1,442 in 1881, or
fewer by 37 deaths, and the percentage on the total treated was 24.7 against
23.7 in 1881. The increase arises from the larger number of cholera cases
treated during the year and of moribund persons admitted. The true death-
rate of the hospital per 1,000, excluding cholera and moribund cases, was 204,
against 206 and 204 in 1881 and 1880. Moribund cases, excluding cholera,
numbered 191, against 175 in 1881. One hundred and eighteen cases of major
operation were treated during the year, of which 111 were new. The number
of minor operations performed was 226 against 261 in 1881. The death-rate was
10 per cent after major operations, against 9 per cent in 1881, and 1.2 per cent
after minor operations, against 1.4 per cent. There were 17 obstetric cases
admitted into the hospital against 11 in 1881, resulting in one death against
two in 1881. The woman who died was admitted for abortion, but ultimately
died from dysentery. The increase in the number of cases treated is small ; but
it indicates a growing appreciation of this department of the hospital by the
native population.
87. There was no change in the diet scales of the hospital. On this the
officiating superintendent says that " the diet scales are sufficiently numerous
for the wants of the hospital. They are liberal ; and where it is necessary to
increase them, they readily admit of being supplemented by extras at the
discretion of the medical staff of the hospital. During the year the articles of
diet supplied have been good, though they have been procured at more favour--
able rates than in 1881."
88. The cook-houses of the hospital were in the same unsatisfactory state
as formerl y report ed. A pl an and est i mat e have, however, been made and
approved for their improvement at a cost of Rs. 6,377. Two observation wards
have been built during the year—one for Europeans and one for natives. The
hospital accommodation was sufficient ; but in order to secure greater privacy
for patients, who are kept together in a large floor, and to remove other defects,
Dr. Nicholson suggests dividing it off with Venetian screens, no other method
of improvement being possible owing to the situation of the building as regards
the prevailing winds. He also recommends the construction of a small ward
for the treatment of operation cases, and a ward for obstetric cases. The
hospital compound has been brought into very good order during the year.
The roads have been improved, and much of the waste ground levelled off
and planted with grass. The drainage of the compound is still defective.
There was no change in the lighting arrangements.
POLICE HOSPITAL.
89. Surgeon-major S. C. Mackenzie was superintendent from the begin--
ning of the year to 10th April, and Surgeon-major F. C. Nicholson from that
date to the close of the year.
90. The strength of the police force in 1882, viz. 2,806, was the same as
i n t he precedi ng year. Admi ssi ons i nt o hospi t al numbered 2, 394 agai nst 2, 589
in 1881 and 2,625 in 1880. This shows that there had been improvement
in the general healthiness of the police force in the year under report. The
ratio of admissions to total strength per 1,000 was 853 in 1882 against 922 and
929 in the two preceding years. The daily average number of sick in 1882 was
83 against 98 and 107 in 1881 and 1880 respectively. There has been a steady
decrease in the admissions from malarial fevers since 1878. The number
admitted fell from 1,900 in 1878 and 1,061 in 1881 to 860 in 1882. The
admissions from dysentery were rather high, though the number treated in
1882 was less by 38 than that of the previous year. There were treated 55