( 2 )
other institutions. 75 per cent. of those treated for cataract had good vision
restored. Dr. Hilson justly remarks that it would have been more satisfactory
if a larger portion of the important operations had been allotted to the Assistant
Surgeons. In the Howrah Hospital only 59 major operations were performed
during the year, owing in great measure to the indifferent health of the Superin-
tendent, who should, however, have been able to get his subordinates to do
more in this direction.
6. In the Eden Hospital 1,669 women and children were treated, against
1,607 in 1887, while the death-rate fell from 60 . 36 to 46 . 13. There were 513
confinements, of which 224 were Europeans, against 439 in 1887. There were
only 9 cases of septicæmia, of which 6 were contracted before admission, with
3 deaths, against 18 cases and 15 deaths in 1887. Great credit appears to be
due for this to Drs. Joubert and Walsh, who insisted on the most rigid precautions
among nurses in the observance of antiseptic precautions after labour, and on
the disinfection of all the linen of labour cases before sending it to the dhobee.
A steam laundry is now in course of erection, which will shortly put an end to
the present system of washing by dhobees.
7. The Ezra Hospital, which is chiefly intended for sick members
of the Jewish persuasion, was opened for out-patients on the 12th March 1888,
and for in-patients on the 9th April 1888: 1,134 out-door and 201 in-door
patients were admitted during the year.
8. Sir Steuart Bayley is glad to find that the Medical Officers of the
various institutions speak highly of the good services rendered by the nurses,
for which the medical staff of the hospitals are largely indebted to
Mrs. E. T. Atkinson, the Honorary Secretary of the Committee of Management
of t he Hospi t al Nur ses’ I nst i t ut i on, and t o Si st er Lucy, t he Super i nt endi ng Lady
of the Clewer Sisterhood, whose death in April last, after a connexion with the
Calcutta hospitals extending over 8 years, is greatly to be deplored. As
Dr. Hilson truly observes—“Her self-denying devotion to duty and her kindness
and attention to the sick will long be held in affectionate remembrance.”
The Lieutenant-Governor trusts the Committee of Management of the Hospital
N u r s e s ’ I n s t i t u t i o n w i l l b e a b l e t o a r r a n g e t h a t f o u r f u l l y t r a i n e d n u r s e s
may be permanently maintained at the Eden Hospital, as Dr. Joubert states
that number is absolutely necessary for the proper nursing of the sick and
training of the pupils.
9. The total invested capital of the Hospitals remained almost unchanged,
falling off only from Rs. 5,80,200 at the beginning to Rs. 5,79,700 at the close
of the year. The total income, including opening balance, amounted to
Rs. 4,42,647- 14, of which Rs. 2,77,158-9-1 were contributed by Government.
The total expenditure rose from Rs. 3,99,069 to Rs. 4,28,566-10-2, the in-
crease being mainly due to increased expenditure on buildings and repairs,
and to the payment of municipal taxes which were not formerly included in the
account of Hospital expenditure. The falling off in the local income is
due in great measure to the fact that two large donations swelled the total income
in 1887, while the Railway contributions to the Howrah Hospital have been
reduced by 50 per cent., and the receipts from the Port Commissioners fell off
owing to the smaller number of sailors who made use of the hospitals.
10. The thanks of the Lieutenant-Governor are due to Dr. Hilson for
his concise but full report.
ORDER.—Ordered that a copy of the Resolution, with a copy of the Report
be submitted to the Government of India for information.
Ordered also that a copy of the Resolution be forwarded to the Inspector-
General of Civil Hospitals for information and guidance ; that a copy of the
Resolution, and of the Report, be forwarded to the Chairman of the Corpora-
tion of the Town of Calcutta and to the Commissioner of Police, Calcutta, for
information ; and that a copy of the Resolution be forwarded to the Governors
of the Mayo Hospital and to the Commissioner of Burdwan for information.
Ordered also that the Resolution be published in the Calcutta Gazette.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
R. W. CARLYLE,
Offg. Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal.