Ip/16/HG.4
ANNUAL REPORT
ON
THE L OCK HOSPITALS OF BRITISH BURMA
For the year 1877.
From H. R. OSWALD M. D., Deputy Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department, British Burma Division,
to the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, British Burma,—No. 486C., dated the 13th May 1878.
I HAVE the honour to forward a summary Review of the Reports on the Lock Hospitals
in British Burma for the year 1877.
Review of Reports on the Lock Hospitals in British Burma for the year 1877.
The number of Lock Hospitals in the Province is eight, the same as were in existence
in 1876. Those at Rangoon, Thayetmyo, and Toungoo are worked under Act XXII. of
1864 (Cantonment Rules), and the remainder, viz., the Akyab, Henzada, Prome, Bassein,
and Moulmein Hospitals, come under Act XIV. of 1868. Perhaps it would be advisable,
as suggested by the Commissioner of Pegu, if they were all brought under the same law,
for the sake of uniformity, though I am not aware that practically one Act has any ad-
vantage over the other. I inspected all the hospitals during the past season, with the
exception of that at Toungoo, which station I did not visit.
I.—Nature and extent of the hospital accommodation : whether it is suitable, and whether there has been
any change in it during the year.
The accommodation provided has been found ample in all the hospitals except at
Rangoon, where the average number of patients during the year was 103.91, and the num-
ber of beds 71—the highest number in hospital at one time being 169, and the lowest
51.
There has been no change in the accommodation provided during the year in any of
the hospitals. The situation of the Moulmein and Prome Hospitals is objectionable, and
was commented on in last report. It was understood their removal to more suitable sites was
contemplated, but nothing has been done yet to effect this. The situation of the hospital at
Toungoo has also been objected to, both by the Commissioner of the division and Medical
Officer, on account of its remote locality rendering supervision difficult. The same remark
applies to the hospital at Akyab, which requires a separate Hospital Assistant, on account
of the distance it is from the Civil Hospital. Were the Lock Hospitals at Toungoo and
Akyab near the Civil Dispensary, they could be more economically and efficiently worked.
II—Any changes in the Medical charge of the Lock Hospitals during the year.
There have been changes in the Medical charge of all the ho spitals during the year
except at Bassein and Moulmein, where Mr. Foster and Surgeon-Major DeFabeck remained
in charge throughout the year.
At Rangoon Surgeon-Major Griffith was relieved on the 8th April by Surgeon
Baker, who was relieved by Surgeon Dundas on 1st June.
At Henzada, Mr. Paul held charge till 5th August, when he was relieved by Honorary
Surgeon Godbier.
At Prome, Surgeon Sweetnam relieved Honorary Surgeon Godbier on the 30th June.
At Thayetmyo, Surgeon Baker relieved Surgeon-Major Croudace, of the 6th M. N. I. on
the 10th October.
At Akyab, Surgeon Johnstone relieved Mr. Mountjoy on the 17th April.
At Toungoo, Surgeon Spencer, 17th Regiment Madras Native Infantry, relieved Sur-
geon Mookerjee, of the 39th Regiment N. I., on the 1st March.