18
REPORT ON THE
MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL.
83. Brigade-Surgeon J. M. Coates, M.D., was in charge of the hospital in
1884. Surgeon-Major K. McLeod was first Surgeon up to the 30th April
1884, when he went on furlough, handing over charge to Surgeon-Major
D.O'.C. Raye, the Second Surgeon. The Second Surgeoncy was held by Sur-
geon-Major D.O'.C. Raye till the 30th April 1884, excepting for a month when
Dr. J.O'.Brien acted for him. Surgeon-Major J.O'.Brien, who again received
the charge on 30th April continued till the end of the year. The Ophthalmic
Surgeoncy was occupied by Brigade-Surgeon H. Cayley until 31st March 1884,
when he handed over charge to Surgeon-Major R. C. Sanders. The Obstetric
Physicianship was held by Surgeon-Major R. Harvey throughout the year,
except for a month when Surgeon J. Clarke acted for him.
84. The total number of indoor patients treated in 1884 was 4,995 against
5,032 in the previous year. This is exclusive of ophthalmic cases.
85. There were 630 deaths, or a death-rate of 126.1 per 1,000, against 112 in
1883, and 123, 129, 128, 130, 135, and 108 in six preceding years. The rate of
mortality in the year under report was, therefore, greater than that of the last two
years, but less than that of the four previous years from 1878. There were 2,582
persons treated in the Christian wards with a daily average of 150.50, of whom
182 died, giving a death-rate of 70 per 1,000 as compared with 54, 59, 64, 69.6,
69 .1, and 70 in six preceding years. The number of native indoor patients
treated was 2,940 against 2,538, 2,660, and 2,593 in three previous years. The
number of deaths was 448, or a rate of 152.38 per 1,000 against 169, 178, 185,
195, 190, and 215 in six preceding years. The following table exhibits the
death-rates from principal diseases among Christians and natives in 1884 and
in three previous years :—
1881.
1882.
1883.
1884.
Christians. Natives. Christians. Natives. Christians. Natives. Christians. Natives.
Fevers ...
... ... ...
48.1
107.5
37.4
139.5
34.3
235.8
59.63
194.80
Dysentery and diarrhœa ... ...
104.5
302
127.1
226.4
110
313.8
100.91
294.12
Cholera ...
... ... ... ...
500
466
363.6
436.2
357.1
500
214.28
486.11
Chest affections
... ... ...
69.5
213.7
55.1
314.6
96
250
126.98
272.72
86. General Remarks.—After the extra floor in the Eden Hospital was
occupied complaints were made of deficiency of water. The Executive Engineer
who was referred to on the matter pronounced the engine to be too small and too
weak for the work it has to do ; a new one is to be put up next year in connec-
tion with the steam-washing machine.
87. The washing arrangements (by dhobies) which were reported to be
defective in the last report continues unchanged. The Principal however
states that the Engineer-in-charge has been ordered to estimate next year
for a steam-washing machine.
88. Fifty-four wooden benches were provided and kept in the hospital
verandahs to enable convalescent patients getting more outdoor air. Twenty
seats were also added to the native wards for the use of friends visiting the
patients.
89. There have been no complaints about the food and the cooking
throughout the year.
90. Each wing of the hospital has been provided with cooking stoves,
on which the nurses warm milk, soups, &c.. for the low cases.
91. The contagious wards which have long been sanctioned were not
built during the year, as no money has been allotted for the purpose. The
separate female ward for cholera and poison cases could not be carried out
last year, for want of nursing.
PRESIDENCY GENERAL HOSPITAL.
92. Surgeon-Major E. A. Birch was in charge of the hospital throughout
the year, except for about a month from 24th July to 28th August when