NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
250
also heard at different parts of the lungs. Dulness on percussion is less marked than
yesterday. Tongue is moist and olean ; slept well last night ; slightly delirious and
sometimes passes urine in bed.
18th—Repeat mixture, adding Liqr. strych. m. xii.
Repeat stimulant as necessary. Repeat poultice.
Vesper.—Temp. 99 ; pulse 112 ; resp. 34.
10 P.M.—Temp. 98 ; pulse 110 ; resp. 36.
19th—Temp. 97·4 ; pulse 100; resp. 30. Bowels not moved since yesterday
morning. Tongue is clean but slightly dry. He gets occasional attacks of cough.
Expectoration is scanty, tenacious and mucoid. Dulness less marked than yesterday ;
moist rales are heard as before.
19th Ammonia Carb. gr. xii, Tine. Cinch. Co. zii., Vinï Ipeca. m. 20, Tino.
Senega zip., Syrup Tohu zip., Spt. Vinï gallic zip., Tinc. Digitalis m. 20, Liqr.
Strych. in. viii. Aqua ad ; ziv, zi every 4 hours.
Repeat poultice to chest. Spt. Vini gallic occasionally with mixture as neces-
sary.
Vesper—Temp. 98·2 ; resp. 33 ; pulse 104.
20th—Temp. 97 ; pulse 84, fair in volume. Crépitant rales less marked than
yesterday. Dulness as before. Cough is much less. Bowels opened once. Tongue
is moist and clean. Passes urine freely. Not at all delirious and feels better.
20th—Repeat Mixture. Rept. poultice. Repeat stimulant.
Vesper—Temp. 97·4 ; pulse 90 ; resp. 27 per minute.
21st—Temp. 97 ; pulse 88, fair in volume ; resp. 26. Cough is much less, slight
expectoration ; moist rales are only heard occasionally. Dulness slightly marked.
Slept well. Feels much better ; but complains of weakness.
21st—Repeat mixture. Repeat stimulant as necessary.
Repeat poultice to chest.
Vespers—Temp. 97·6 ; pulse 88 ; resp. 24.
22nd—Temp. 97 ; Pulse 75 ; resp. 22. Cough much less. Expectoration very
slight. Bowels not moved for the last two days. Tongue is moist and clean ;
gets sound sleep. Takes nourishment.
22nd—Repeat mixture. Repeat stimulant. Repeat poultice.
Vesper—Temp. 97·4 ; pulse 78 ; resp, 22.
23rd—Temp. 97; pulse 72; resp. 19. Cough much less and occasional. Rales
pure and faintly heard. Expectoration slight ; no dulness. Bowels opened twice.
Repeat mixture. Repeat stimulant. Repeat poultice.
Vesper.—97·4 ; pulse 76 ; resp. 20.
24tb—Temp. 96·6 ; pulse 75 ; resp. 17. Bowels opened twice. Tongue is moist
and clean. Diet.—O. D. Extra milk is doing well.
Repeat mixture 3 doses. Repeat stimulants. Repeat poultice.
Afterwards the patient made a steady recovery and was discharged recovered
from the hospital on 16th March 1899.
251
No. 10.
Report on the Parel Sarvajanik Hospital, Bombay,
from the 16th January 1899 to 2nd June 1899.
History of
Hospital.
I. The Municipality having decided that Government House, Parel, would not
be opened as a hospital, a meeting of the Volunteer Committees of F and G Wards was
held at Government House, Parel, early in November under the Chairmanship of Rao
Bahadur Vassanjee Khimjee, J. P., and the following resolutions were passed :—
1. That a private hospital should be erected in Government House, Parel
Compound, by voluntary subscriptions, provided that the necessary sanction be granted
by the Municipal authorities.
2. That the hospital should be for all castes and creeds and should, therefore, be
called "The Parel Sarvajanik Hospital."
3. That the following gentlemen be asked to act as a Managing Committee and
to collect subscriptions :—
Rao Bahadur Vassanjee Khimjee,
J.P., Chairman.
Mr. Lakhamsee Napoo, J.P., Hon.
Treasurer.
Mr. J. F. Madan, Hon. Secretary.
Khan Saheb Shaik Adam Essoof-
bhoy, J.P., Member.
Mr. A. N. Dalvi, Member.
Mr. V. R. Lnxman,
do.
Mr. W. R. Javakar,
do.
Mr. Raojee Raghoonath, do.
Mr. Adam Abba Patel, do.
4. That the hospital should be for 30 beds for patients with Office, Dispensary,
Hospital Assistant's Quarters and other necessary buildings. The number of beds
was afterwards increased to 84.
Hospital
opened.
II. The necessary sanction for the building of the Hospital having been obtained
and subscriptions coming in freely, it was ready for the admittance of patients by
January 16th, 1899, when it was opened by SIR ANDREW WINGATE, I.C.S.,
Plague Commissioner, Bombay Presidency.
Hopitals
closed.
III. The hospital was closed on May 31st, 1899, and was finally closed on
June 2nd, 1899.
Staff.
IV. Dr. G. W. Lewis, District Medical Officer, Central District, kindly volun-
teered his services as Medical Officer to the hospital and was in charge of the
hospital until it closed.
The Government lent the Committee the services of a Lady Nurse.
Lady Nurse Miss Reynolds was on duty in the hospital until being appointed
to the Indian Nursing Service on 15th April, when Lady Nurse Miss Burrows took
over the duties.
The Committee wish to express their thanks to Dr. G. W. Lewis, Miss Reynolds
and Miss Burrows for their excellent services and for the kind way in which their
duties were carried out. The remainder of the staff wore paid out of the subscriptions
and was as under :—
Hospital Assistant Gangaram Vithal, Night Nurse Miss Blanford, Ward
Boys 8, Ayahs 4, Cook 1, Dhobies 2, Swepers 4.
Ground and ridge ventilation was provided for in all the huta.
The partitions between the rooms were about 8 ft. high. Separate cook-rooms
were provided for all castes. The other buildings erected were—Hospital Assistant's
Quarters, Dispensary, Office, Washing and Disinfecting places for men and women,
Dhobi Ghát, Store Room and Police Chauky.
253
TABLE I.
XIII. The total number of admissions, from January 16th to May 21st
was 601.
From F Ward
„ G
„
Other Wards
350
223
38
Out of this number 540 were plague patients and the remaining 61 of other
diseases.
XIV. The following table shows the weekly admissions and that the week
ending March 25th had the largest number.
The largest daily admission was 16 on March 19th, 1899.
Week ending
21st January 1899
28th
Do.
4th February
1899
11th
Do.
18th
Do.
25th
Do.
4th March 1899
11th
Do.
18th
Do.
25th
Do.
1st April 1899
8th
Do.
15th
Do.
22nd
Do.
29th
Do.
6th May 1899
13th
Do.
20th
Do.
21st May (closing day)
Total
Total Admissions,
n
22
32
36
32
41
45
50
50
61
41
44
29
27
24
22
22
11
1
601
Remarks.
One day less.
Largest admission.
TABLE II.
Disease.
Plague
Relapsing Fever
Observation and other Diseases
Total
Admissions.
540
5
56
601
Deaths.
374
24
398
Recoveries.
166
37
203
Percentage
of
Mortality.
692
40·9
65·4
TABLE III.
Months.
January 16th to 31st
February
March
April
May
18th
Total
Total Ad-
missions.
45
146
226
129
55
601
Died
within 24
hours.
12
55
83
56
20
226
Died
within
48 hours.
21
33
69
30
19
172
Total
Deaths.
33
88
152
86
39
398
Total
Recoveries.
12
58
74
43
16
20?
Percent-
age of
Deaths.
73·3
60·2
67·2
66·6
70·9
65·4
254
TABLE IV.
Christians.
Males
Females
Children (under 12 years)
Hindus.
Males
Females
Children (under 12
years)
Mahomedans.
Males
Females
Children (under 12 years)
Total Admis-
sions. All
diseases.
26
10
6
235
117
88
17
1
1
601
Deaths.
16
6
5
230
78
52
11
398
Recoveries.
10
4
1
105
39
36
6
1
1
203
Percentage of
Deaths.
61·5
60·0
83·3
68·6
66·6
59·0
64·7
Table showing the Situation of Buboes,
Situation.
Cervical
Parotid
E. Axillary
L. „
R. Groin
L. „
Other
Situation
No Buboes
Multiple Buboes
Total
No. of
Cases.
32
3
46
43
155
132
2
80
26
Males.
22
3
30
26
122
93
1
57
17
Females.
10
16
17
33
39
1
23
9
Mortality.
18
2
35
33
112
94
2
50
13
Recoveries.
14
1
11
10
43
38
30
13
Percentage
of
Mortality.
56·25
66·6
76·8
76·7
72·25
71·21
62·2
50
Table showing Pneumonic Plague (without Buboes).
Females
Admitted.
17
3
1
Died.
11
3
1
Recoveries.
6
Percentage
of Mortality.
54·54
Table showing cases of Secondary Plague Pneumonia (complicated with Buboes).
Children
Admitted.
2
1
Died.
2
1
Recoveries.
Percentage
of Mortality.
Buboes.—Percentage of mortality was the highest in cases of axillary buboes,
(the right and left sides being nearly equal in this respect) and it was the lowest in
cases with multiple buboes. The axillary buboes may, therefore, be said to be the
most fatal form.
Complication.—In two cases pregnancy was complicated with an attack of
Plague, one of these ended fatally, while the other recovered, but in neither of them
did miscarriage occur.
255
Fifty-eight cases were kept under observation, out of these, 5 turned out to be
Relapsing Fever, and the rest of other diseases mostly of Remittent Fever, and Febri-
ula, a few were of Phthisis.
Rao Bahadur Vassanji Khimji collected the greater part of the subscriptions and
it was mainly due to his influence and energy in collecting subscriptions that it was
possible to maintain the hospital and have a balance of Rs. 2,000 odd in case of
future need.
The thanks of the Committee are due to-—
Store, &c,,
supplies.
The Municipal authorities who lent matting and bamboos for the erection of the
hospital and also supplied stores and medicines.
The Improvement Trust who gave the use of the ground free of charge.
The Government for the services of the Lady Nurses.
To all those gentlemen who subscribed so freely and willingly towards the fund.
P. LEWES, CAPT.,
D. 0. G. and F. Wards.
PAREL, 23rd July 1899.
Notes by
the Special
Medical
Officer.
A most useful hospital and one badly required for the North of Bombay. Rao
Bahadur Vassanji Khimji was indefatigable in his endeavours in supervising and seeing
after the hospital ; and the fact that over 600 cases were treated and kindly looked
after during 4 months, speaks for itself. The situation and general management of
this hospital was excellent.
No, 11.
Adamji Peerbhoy Borah. Plague Hospital.
1. Report on the Adamji Peerbhoy Borah Fever (or Plague) Hospital, situated
on Queen's Road, Bombay, from the 1st June 1898, to the 31st May 1899.
2. The hospital was founded for the Borah community by Mr. Adamji Peer
bhoy, J. P. It was opened in the month of March (9th) 1897, when the plague
being properly recognised, measures were formulated for the removal and treatments
of plague patients in private hospitals, since that time it had been never closed. It is
maintained exclusively by Mr. Adamji Peerbhoy, whose philanthrophy as well as
charity for the members of his own community (Borahs), is far and extended, and
whose hand is ever ready to render assistance to the poor, ignorant Borahs in edu-
cating them in the different ways and walks of life, and in improving the condition
of their families. In fact, the buildings, in which the plague hospital is at present
located with its adjoining portion constituted originally a charitable institution,
called the Borah sanitarium, designed for the use of Borah travellers and invalids or
convalescents requiring change to a healthy place for the benefit of health.
The names of Committee looking after the hospital management are :—
Adamji Peerbhoy, Esq., J.P.
Mahomedbhoy Adamji Peerbhoy, Esq., J.P.
Abdulbhai Adamji Peerbhoy, Esq., J.P.
Khan Saheb Hakeem Dayam, J.P.
There are two medical officers. One in charge of the hospital is a graduate
of the Bombay University (L. M. and S.) by name D. R. Khote, and the other Khan
Saheb Abdulla Hiptoola Misri is a Hakeem, knowing Unani medicines. He resides
258
TABLE I.—Total Admissions during the year.
Months.
June
1898
July
August
„
September „
October
„
November „
December „
January 1899
February „
March
„
April
„
May
„
Total
Plague.
..
..
..
,,
,.
..
• •
..
..
.,
*«
...
3
5
7
12
10
3
3
5
23
34
30
12
147
Relapsing Fever.
.
•
•
.
•
...
Observation
Cases, including
all General
Diseases.
2
...
3
2
1
2
•••
2
4
3
3
2
24
Total.
5
5
10
14
11
5
3
7
27
37
33
14
171
11. The largest number of admissions during any week (from March 17th to
23rd) was 13, and on the particular day of February 8th, it waa 5.
12. The total number of deaths during the year is 80. Total number of deaths
from Plague is 74. Largest number of deaths on 17th April 1899 is 3.
Percentage of deaths to admissions, 98*6.
TABLE II.
—
Plague
Belapsing Fever
Observation & other diseases
Total ...
Admissions.
147
24
171
Deaths.
74
6
80
Recoveries.
73
19
92
Percentage of
Mortality.
50-3
24
46-5
TABLE III.
Months.
June
1898
July
„
August
„
September „
October
„
November „
December ,.
January 1899
February „
March
„
April
„
May
„
Total
Admissions
3
5
7
12
10
3
3
5
23
34
30
12
Died
within 24
hours.
1*
3
1
3
1
2
5
4
2
Within 48
hours.
1
2
• • ...
1
......
••«•••
3
4
1
i
Total
deaths.
1
1
4
4
6
6
2
3
12
17
14
5
Total ,
recoveries, j
i
2
1
3
6
4
1
3
2
11
17
16
7
Percentage
of deaths .
33'3
80
57'1
50
60
66'6
51-7
50
40-6
41-6
259
TABLE IV.—For Borahs.
Male ...
Female...
Total admissions.
Children (under 15 years of age)
98
26
16
Deaths.
54
14
4
Recoveries.
1
44
12
12
Percentage of
deaths.
55-1
53-8
25-0
TABLE IV.—For Hindoos.
Total admissions.
Male
Children (under 15 years)
-
4
1
2
Deaths.
1
1
Recoveries.
3
0
2
Percentage of
deaths.
25
100
TABLE V.—Table showing the mortality for the year amongst sexes and children.
Total mortality for the year.
I
74
Mortality amongst
the Men.
55
Mortality amongst
Women.
15
Mortality amongst
Children under 12.
4
TABLE VI.—Table showing the situation of buboes.
Situation.
Cervical
Paroted
E. Axillary
.
L. Axillary „
R. Femoral .
L. Femoral .
K. Inguinal .
L. Inguinal .
*Other situations ...
No buboes (i.e. only tenderness)
Multiple buboes
Total
No. of
cases.
3
3
32
16
25
20
26
14
3
4
1
Males.
2
3
28
10
18
15
21
11
1
4
Females.
1
• • • • *•
4
6
7
5
5
3
2
1
Mortality.
2
3
17
11
18
10
4
4
1
4
Recoveries.
1
15
5
7
10
22
10
2
......
1
Percentage
of
Mortality.
66-6
100
45-1
68-7
72
50
15'3
28'5
33-3
100
_
* In tha popliteal space and 2 on the calves of legs and also in the groins.
No pneumonic plague case.
In conclusion, I beg to offer my best thanks to the District Officer, the Chief
Medical Officer and other superior Officers for kindly visiting the hospital and record-
ing their very good opinions in the visitor's book both as regard the management of
the hospital and the conditions of the patients.
D. E. KHOTE, B.A., L.M. & S.
Medical Officer m charge.
Remarks by Special Medical Officer.
A most useful and well conducted hospital.
260
No. 12
Report on the Hindu Fever (Plague) Hospital, Bombay,
from 20th February 1899 to 31st May 1899.
The Office Bearers.
Tribhuwandas Mangaldas Nathubhai, Esq.—President of the Managing
Committee.
The Hon'ble Mr. Vijbhukandas Atmaram—Chairman of the Executive
Committee.
The Hon'ble Dr. Bhalchandra Krishna also Consulting Physician.
Janardan Gopal, Esq....
Rao Bahadur N. T. Vaidya. .
S. D. Khote, Esq
D. G. Padhye, Esq
Dr. G. B. Kher
Harischandra Pandurangji Pitale,
M. B. Bodas, Esq
Gangadher Dewji, Esq.
i
. .Honorary
... Honorary
Esq. — Treasurer.
Auditors.
Secretaries.
Chief Medical Officer.
History of the foundation of the Hospital.
The Hospital was opened on the 28th January 1897. It came into existence as
the outcome of the efforts of a meeting of leading Hindu gentlemen, held on the 13th
January, at the house of Mr. Tribhuwandas Mangaldas Nathubhai, and presided over
by him. A Committee of management was regularly organized, and Dr. (now the
Hon'ble) Bhalchandra Khrishna and Mr. (now Eao Bhahadur) Narayan Trimbak
Vaidya, were appointed Honorary Secretaries. The Hospital was first located at the
Connaught Road on Municipal ground, and originally consisted of 6 sheds capable of
accommodating 24 patients only. The Hospital soon got popular, and the number of
patients seeking admission therein went on steadily increasing, so that the Com-
mittee thought it necessary to enlarge it by adding more sheds. By the end of
May 1897, the epidemic of the year had practically become extinct, but as there were
a number of convalescents in the Hospital unfit to be discharged, and as the desire for
its continuance was expressed on all hands, the Committee resolved to continue it even
during the monsoons. So they removed it to a large and spacious bungalow near the
Grant Road bridge, rented at Rs. 175 per mensem, which amount was subsequently
increased to Rs. 210. The Hospital continued in this bungalow till the end of May
1898, when it was temporarily closed, no need appearing for keeping it open. It was
re-opened on the 20th February 1899, and was shifted to the Churni Road Gardens,
a large and central portion of which was kindly placed at the disposal of the
Committee, for the purpose, by the Plague Authorities, who also gave material help
in other directions. The Hospital is kept still working, three of the sheds having
been made weather-proof and fit to receive patients even in the monsoons.
The Hospital has been maintained entirely by private subscriptions and donations.
A list of the principal subscribers is given in Appendix A. The help to the hospital
has mostly come in the shape of monetary donations. There have, however, been con-
tributions in other shapes, out of which special mention needs be made of two semi-
permanent sheds with corrugated iron roofing and dealwood walls, each 24 by 40
feet, lent by Messrs. Thackersey Moolji and Sons, and of the services of an European
nurse (for three months) given by Mr. Damodar G. Sukhadvala.
• Members of the Executive Committee.
†
Added in 1899.
264
Of 252 admissions, 250 were treated in the hospital. In the month of March.
one patient absconded and died ultimately in the Colaba Hospital, and one was trans-
ferred to Vaishnya Hospital, 3rd Bhoiwada, Bhuleshwar.
11. The largest number of admissions was 42, and it was during the 4th week
of March 1899.
The largest number of daily admissions was 11, and it was on the 23rd March
1899.
12. The total number of deaths during the year was 198, of which 194 were
from plague.
The percentage of mortality was 75 to the total admissions 263.
The largest number of deaths was 6.
TABLE II.
Plague
Observation and other diseases...
Total
Admissions.
250
13
263
Deaths.
194
4
198
Recoveries.
56
9
65
Percentage
of
Mortality.
77 per cent.
30
„
TABLE III.—Plague.
Month.
February
March
April
May
...
Total
admis-
sions.
25
129
79
17
Died
within
24 hrs.
5
65
35
8
Died
within
48 hrs.
Nil
5
20
2
Total
Deaths.
20
99
60
15
Total
Eecov"
eries.
5
Percentage
of
Deaths.
75 per cent.
30 49 „
19 20
„
2 71 „
The total percentage of mortality excluding the deaths within 24 and 48 hours
was 49 as will be seen from the above figures,
TABLE IV.
Males...
Females
Children
Total
admissions.
148
77
28
Deaths.
124
51
23
Recoveries.
24
26
15
Percentage
of
Death.
82
66
60
The above table includes only Hindoos of all castes except Bhangis, Dheds
and Mahars.
TABLE V.—Table showing the mortality for the year amongst sexes and children.
Total mortality for the
year.
198
Mortality amongst
the men.
124
Mortality amongst
women.
51
Mortality amongst children
all under 12 years of age.
23
265
TABLE VI.—Table showing the situation of Buboes.
Situation.
Cervical
E. Axillary
L, Axillary
R. Femoral
L. Femoral
E. Inguinal
L. Inguinal
No buboes
Multiple-Buboes
Total
number of
cases.
11
32
20
37
40
28
25
35
22
Males.
6
18
11
24
35
24
16
21
11
Females.
5
14
9
13
5
4
9
14
\
Mortality.'
7
27
18
28
30
21
18
35
10
Recoveries.
4
5
2
9
10
7
7
Nil.
12
Percentage
of Mor-
tality.
63 per cent.
84
do.
90
do.
75
do.
75
do.
75
do.
75
do.
100
do.
1 45
do.
TABLE VII.—Table showing Pneumonia Plague (without Buboes.)
Males
,,.
Females
Children
Admitted.
6
Nil.
Died.
2
Nil.
Eecovered.
4
Nil.
......
Percentage
of Mortality.
33 per cent.
Nil.
TABLE VIII.—Table showing cases of secondary Plague-Pneumonia
(complicated with Buboes)
Males
Females
,
Children
...
Admitted.
6
4
Nil.
Died.
5
2
Nil.
Eecovered.
1
2
Nil
Percentage
of Mortality.
83o/o
50o/o
Nil
The cases were diagnosed by the appearance of the signs and symptoms of Pneu-
monia, developing on the 4th or 5th-day of the disease. In one or two Cases it
developed on the 6th day. No Bacteriological examination was made.
Notes on the symptoms and character of the disease:—
The disease generally commenced with various symptoms which at the start
might lead to its being confounded with different affections, such as intermittent or
remittent fever of a malignant type. The symptoms varied much according to the
severity and the type of the disease. In most cases when the epidemic was at its
height, the disease began without any marked premonitary symptoms except a slight
igor and sensation of heat. If premonitary symptoms occurred, these generally lasted
269
Suppression of urine—It was found in three casas only, but the urine, however,
in most cases was scanty and high colored.
Bowels disturbances—-Diarrhoea was met with in only one case which ultimately
proved fatal.
Hœmorrhage—It was generally found from the lungs and not from other
organs. It occurred in about 8 cases, of which 2 recovered and 6 proved fatal.
Pregnancy.—Three pregnant women were admitted, one was at the 3rd month
and she recovered without abortion having taken place, two were advanced in preg-
nancy and both of them aborted and died.
Menstruation—One girl of about 14 years of age, admitted into the hospital for
plague, menstruated for the first time during the continuance of the disease. The
case proved fatal.
Eye.—Conjunctivitis with ulceration was seen in two cases, one of them
recovered and one died.
Ear.—Deafness was present in some cases, but the patients used to understand
questions when they were spoken to loudly and distinctly. This symptom must pro-
bably be due to the dullness of the mental faculties.
Otorrhæa was seen in one or two cases only.
Sequelæ.—In two cases the power of speech is not yet completely restored. The
speech is still indistinct. In one case there was marked loss of muscular co-ordina-
tion, and though the patient has recovered, the power of co-ordination in the
extremities is not yet completely restored.
Period of convalescence.—The convalescence usually sot in by the end of the first
week or 10 days; but the recovery was not complete until one or two months had
elapsed.
A case of mumps mistaken for plague was not observed in the hospital.
The total number of cases kept under observation was 13, and the diseases which
they developed were as follow :—
Disease.
Pneumonia
Gangrene
...
Measles
Remittent Fever
...
...
No. of cases.
3
,
1
1
8
13
Treatment.—The plague being a very acute affection and running a very rapid
course, it should be remembered that the sooner the treatment is adopted the greater
are the chances of recovery.
The treatment of plague cases is mainly of three kinds :—Remedial, Hygienic
and prophylactic. But as required in the questions, I shall confine my remarks only
to the remedial and the Hygenic part of the treatment.
Remedial.—Now it has been proved that the plague is a bacillary disease
propagated and diffused by a specific micro-organism, and that its effects are due to
the operations of the same specific micro-organism that has infected the body.
Having entered the human body either through the respiratory organs, or the skin
or the intestinal tract, it multiplies readily in the blood, and the system being thus
poisoned, the disease manifests itself in one form or another according to the
virulence of the poison and the state of health of the person affected.