59
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Small wards, and it would be a great comfort to the patients if they were supplied to all the
windows and doors of the hospital, especially in the hot weather, to keep out the glare, there
being no trees near the hospital, and, indeed, scarcely any in the cantonments.
The dimensions of the wards are 78 × 20 × 18½ and 72 × 20 × 18½, giving a superficial
area of 1,560 feet and cubic space of 28,860 feet for the larger ward, and a superficial area of
1,440 feet and cubic space of 26,640 for the smaller ward. The larger ward is intended for
26 beds, the smaller one for 24 beds; so that each bed has a superficial area of 60 feet and
cubic space of 1,110 feet. The building is well situated with an open space on all sides, and
fces S. S. W.
Ventilation.
Ventilation is ample, being derived from opposite doors
and windows, and by 5 ventilators in the roof of the building.
There has been no over-crowding during the year under report. At each rear corner of
the hospital there are two washing rooms and a privy; they
are connected with the rear verandah by a covered passage;
each privy contains three receptacles for dammered iron pans. To the north-west of the
hospital are the quarters for the hospital assistants and native medical pupils. The oc
-cupants complain that the quarters are too small, and that there is no place for them or
their families to bathe. This could be provided at a very slight cost to Government,
and I would recommend that the accommodation be given them. Near this building is
a privy and cook-room for these subordinates; but the cook-room is not used, because
different castes cannot cook in the same place.
To the north of the hospital is the cook-room for the patients and the quarters for the
2nd class servants. These are very good.
There are two wards at some distance from the hospital for the treatment of infectious
diseases. There is also an out-door lavatory at a convenient distance from the north end of
the hospital.
A dead-house is about to be built.
I think the mud floor to the hospital objectionable, and would recommend that a wooden
one be supplied.
The excreta are removed twice a day, or oftener, if necessary, to the filth cart (which
stands some distance from the hospital in receptacles, dry
earth being placed in the latter as often as is required) in
which they are taken to the trench latrines. There is no wall
built round the premises. This should be done to keep out cattle and people who have no
business there, also to prevent patients leaving without permission. If a wall will not be
allowed, an aloe hedge might be planted during the next monsoon.
The water is derived from the nearest well which is in the officers' lines, and this is
between 800 and 900 yards from the hospital. In my last
report I recommended the construction of another well near
the hospital, and the Deputy Surgeon-General, Doctor Maitland, concurred in this opinion.
It has not yet been commenced, although I believe the Public Works Department is estimat
-ing the cost of one on a site recommended by me.
8. During the past year there were 303 admissions, 2 being for cholera, out of an aver--
age strength of 613.6. Of these 4 died. Of the fatal cases 2
were from cholera, 1 from pneumonic phthisis, and 1 from
bronchitis. The ratio per cent. of admissions to average
strength was 47.1. The average daily number of sick was 13.6. The percentage of treated
to strength was 60, deaths to strength 0.6, deaths to treated 1.4. Twenty-seven men were sent
before the annual invaliding committee at Belgaum, 15 of whom were passed. One of the men
was returned to his duty with the remark that "change of air might be tried." This was a
case of constitutional syphilis. The man had been one year in hospital at various times
during the past two years; and I stated that, in my opinion, he would never be of any use as a
soldier. Shortly after the man returned to the regiment, his old syphilitic ulcers began
again to trouble him, and he was admitted into hospital, where he remained until a few days
ago. In accordance with the recommendation of the annual invaliding committee, Bel--
gaum, at my recommendation he has been sent to Bombay to be placed under the medical
officer of the Marine Battalion, to be reported upon by that officer at the end of three months;
but, in my opinion, to keep such a man in the service is a useless expense to the State.
Over-crowding.
Hospital conservancy.
Hospital water-supply.
Sickness, mortality, and in--
validing.