NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
183
Under general diseases, Division A, 2,201 received medical aid ; of
these 2,000 had ague, giving a percentage to total treated of 33.26.
190 patients were treated for dengue.
Under Division B, there were 345 cases, chiefly of rheumatism and
syphilis ; of the latter 87, amongst whom were 24 females. Local
diseases were treated to the number of 3,230. Those of the eye, ear,
respiratory system and digestive, were in considerable numbers.
There were 40 cases of congestion of the spleen ; this, coupled with
the large number of ague cases, shows that the population must
suffer much from the influence called malaria. Gonorrhœa and its
complications gave 109 cases ; this taken with syphilitic complaints
is an index of the amount of disease that exists in Surat. There
were 1,353 affections of the cellular tissue and cutaneous system ; the
greatest amount of which was scabies. No poison cases were admit-
ted, and only a few injuries, confined to burns and contusions ; the
operations generally were of a minor character.
Vaccination was performed by the municipal vaccinator.
4. This dispensary is under the civil surgeon, and can be the
means of doing a great amount of good in the populous neighbour
- h o o d i n w h i c h i t i s s i t u a t e d ; t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t i s t h a t o f t h e c i v i l
hospital, and the cost of it not much more than that of the medicines
used.
Ratnagiri.
4 a . At the civil hospital at the station of Ratnagiri, dispensary
patients are daily attended to by the civil surgeon, and during the
year 5,026 persons received treatment—an increase of 1,573, over the
preceding year ; and of 3,901 over the year 1868, when Surgeon C.
Joynt,M.D., took charge. The average daily attendance has risen from
6 to 21. 3,749 were Hindus, 1,229 Mussulmans, and 48 Christians.
There remained from the previous year 12 and 5,014 were fresh
admissions. 1,538 are entered as absented or unknown, 3,461 were
discharged, cured or relieved, 1 died, and 26 remained.
Under general diseases, Division A, 368 cases received treatment
amongst which 349 only were sufferers from fever, giving 4.63 per
cent. to total treated—233 of these were from ague. Hooping-cough,
generally more or less prevalent in the year, gave only one case here.
Under Division B, rheumatisms gave 128 cases ; there were 7 cases
of primary syphilis—4 in women. Local diseases chiefly came under
notice for affections of nerve function; for instance, 21 cases of brow
ague and 69 of neuralgia, and for eye and ear disease, conjunctivitis
chiefly in the one, and inflammation of the external meatus in the
other.
1 8 4
Affections of the respiratory and digestive systems gave larg
e n u m b e r s ; i n t h e l a t t e r o r d e r o f d i s e a s e t h e r e w e r e n o l e s s t h a n 2 , 3 6 7
of ascaris lumbricoides or intestinal round worms. 368 cases of cuta
-neous disease were treated. There were 10 snakebites, 8 of which
were cured and 2 absented.
Injuries of the head and face gave 45 admissions, of which two
were dislocations of the jaw, both in women; injuries of the upper
and lower extremities gave 123—amongst these were several cases of
fractures.
89 operations were performed, of which no less than 13 were opera
-tions required by slit noses, the operations were chiefly minor.
5. We may judge from the return that intermittent fever does
not prevail much, the non-application, however, of a large number for
relief may be due to the position of the dispensary; notwithstanding
this, the general progress has been good and well maintained, and
speaks very intelligibly as to the satisfaction of the people with the
care bestowed upon them by the civil surgeon.
The establishment of the civil hospital attends to the dispensary,
and the cost is not much more than that of the medicines used.
Broach.
6. The dispensary attached to this civil hospital is generally
well attended; there were (6,742 persons treated during 1872-73
— 4 0
w e r e t h e r e m a i n e d f r o m t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r , a n d 6 , 7 0 2 w e r e f r e s h
admissions. There were 3,559 Hindus, 1,807 Parsees, 1,368 Mus
-sulmans, and 8 Christians who received medical gratuitous aid.
6,672 were cured or relieved, none are stated to have absented, none
to have died, and 70 remained.
In the charitable dispensary at Surat there were very few absented,
and the ratio of cured and relieved was 98; but here all are cured or
relieved. The average daily number of sick was 58, and more than
this number were present when I inspected the hospital.
Under general diseases, Division A, 2,393 were treated; of this
number 2,288 are entered in the return as cases of ague and 78 of
dengue. Under Division B, there were 311, chiefly suffering
under acute and chronic rheumatism and syphilitic disease. Under
local diseases, those of the eye and ear, of the respiratory, digestive,
and cutaneous systems, and cellular tissue were the most common,
represented chiefly by conjunctivitis, inflammation of external ear,
bronchitis, thrush, caries, dyspepsia, dysentery, diarrhœa, colic, and
constipation. There were 32 cases of splenitis, 103 of gonorrhœa and
its complications. Amongst skin diseases scabies was, as usual, the
prominent complaint. Under general injuries, burns and scalds,
there were 30; local injuries were contusions, dislocations, lacerated
wounds. The dispensary operations were all minor.
185
7. At my inspection of this dispensary I regretted to observe the
somewhat careless manner in which it was conducted. The surgeon
in charge received instructions from me on the subject; this officer
appeared to me to be in ill health, and had evidently left a great
deal to the hospital assistant. The establishment of the civil
hospital serves for the dispensary, extra expenditure, beyond medi
-cines and a few petty supplies, is not therefore incurred.
Karwar.
8. The out-patients receiving treatment at the Civil Hospital,
Karwar, where the position almost precludes the attendance of many,
numbered during the year 1,311, being less by 25 than in the previ
- o u s y e a r . 1 4 r e m a i n e d f r o m 1 8 7 1 - 7 2 a n d 1 , 2 9 7 w e r e f r e s h a d m i s s i o n s ;
there were (636 Hindus, 172 Mussulmans, 444 Christians, 19 Parsees,
and 40 other castes. 1,294 were discharged, cured or relieved, 2
absented, none died, and 15 remained under treatment.
Under general diseases A, 500 persons received treatment, 496 of
this number were for ague, giving a percentage of 30.96 to treated.
Under Division B, 66 were chiefly rheumatism and syphilitic
cases. Local diseases gave 745, amongst these were 94 of the res
-piratory system, 373 of derangements of the stomach and bowels;
38 cases of gonorrhœa required treatment.
A few injuries of no moment were received, and a few operations
were performed.
Vaccination is carried on by the municipal vaccinator.
The civil surgeon attends daily, and the establishment is that of
the civil hospital, so that little expense, beyond that of medicines is
incurred.
Sawantwari .
9. The civil hospital of the chief town of this native state is
opened for out-patients daily, and during the year there were 1,550
sick applied for relief. The sub-assistant surgeon states that in
addition about 711 persons were unrecorded. This officer has been
directed to keep a record in future of all cases partaking of the
benefit of the charity. The persons receiving advice and medicine
were of the following religions according to numbers:—Hindus 878,
Mussulmans 403, Christians 269. There remained from the pre
- v i o u s y e a r 4 0 a n d 1 , 5 1 0 w e r e f r e s h a d m i s s i o n s . A d e c r e a s e o f 5 1
appears. Of the total, 1,350 were cured or relieved, 166 absented
or the result was unknown, 2 died, and 32 remained, Average daily
attendance was 14.
186
Under general diseases, Division A, there were 651 cases, of which
624 were fevers, giving 41.3 per cent. to treated—457 of these were
ague cases, 30.2 per cent. to treated.
Under Division B, 42 were treated, 25 of which were suffering
from anœmia, resulting from ague.
Under local diseases 846 came under treatment; a large number of
these were from derangements of the stomach and intestines, viz.,
597—283 of these being from intestinal worms. Chest diseases and
cutaneous affections with a very few injuries formed the remainder.
One hundred and forty-seven operations, chiefly of minor character,
were performed.
The deaths occurred in cases of remittent fever and diarrhœa.
10. This hospital and dispensary are the only institutions of the
kind in the Wari state, and, in my opinion, ought to afford far more
aid than the annual reports show they do. I have spoken frequently
to the sub-assistant surgeon on the subject.
.
11. In the town of Vingorla itself, as formerly reported, there is no
dispensary, but out-patients are attended by the apothecary in medi
-
cal charge at the hospital, situated in the old camp, about one mile
and a, half from the town inland. The number availing themselves
annually of the aid offered by Government is very limited compared
with the population, which, including outlying villages, amounts to
over 10,000. The people of the well-to-do classes employ native
doctors paying them, and when these fail, they seek the apothecary.
The distance prevents many attending, and it is chiefly the indigent
poor labourers who generally apply.
The number treated during the year—in and out-patients—was
584. 565 were out-patients.
15 remained from the previous year and 569 were fresh admis
-
sions.
567 were cured or relieved, none absented, 3 died, and 14 remain
-
ed.
The average daily sick was 16. Under general diseases A, 99
cases were treated, 95 of which were of ague.
Under Division B, there were 53, chiefly suffering from rheuma
-
tism and syphilis.
Local diseases gave 404, the chief diseases treated under this head
were of the respiratory system and digestive.
Gonorrhœa gave 26 patients and cutaneous diseases were
some-
what numerous.
187
Twenty-two cases of injuries were received, amongst which there
was dislocation of the hip and of the shoulder—fracture of the fore
-
arm.
Wounds and contusions—the operations performed were few
and unimportant.
12. Mr. Apothecary Munday considers there is much syphilis and
gonorrhœa in this town. It is a post and halting place, and, conse
-
quently, has a floating population amongst which loose women must
form a certain portion.
Vaccination was carried on by the apothecary in charge most
carefully—the result of the operation for the year was 139 successful
cases. A native medical pupil is attached to the dispensary; he is
not in good health but his character is good and qualifications
fair.
Alibagh.
13. In the year 1872-73, the admissions to this dipensary were
less by 872 than in the prceeding year. The total treated was 4,625
—
4 , 0 3 5 w e r e H i n d u s , 2 7 4 M u s s u l m a n s , 6 8 C h r i s t i a n s , a n d 2 1 2 o t h e r
castes; 36 remained from the previous year and 4,589 were fresh admis
-
sions.Of this total 2,609 were cured or relieved—the very large num-
ber of 1,973, arc entered as absented or unknown, 2 died, and 41
remained. The average daily attendance at the dispensary was 37.
Included in the above numbers there were fourteen in-patients
treated.
Under general diseases A, there were 1,079 cases, of which 1,075
were fevers 1,058 being intermittent or ague, giving a percentage of
26.24 to total sick. Under Division B, 241 received treatment,
the greater part being for rheumatism, a few cases of plithisis,
syphilis, anœmia, and general dropsy occurred.
Under local diseases there were 2,583; the chief diseases for
which relief was asked were nervous diseases, such as local paralysis,
infantile convulsions neuralgia. Eye diseases, such as simple
i nfl ammat i on of t he conj unct i va, and of t he ear; 129 of t he former
and 117 of the latter. Affections of the respiratory system, chiefly,
bronchitis; of the digestive system a large number of dyspepsia,
dysentery, diarrhœa, colic; there were 769 cases of intestinal round
worm. Gonorrhœa-and its complications gave several cases. Affections
of the cutaneous system and cellular tissue gave 582 cases. Poison
and poisoned wounds were few; of the latter two were caused by
dogbites and one by cobrabite. 127 injuries were received, co
m -
prising burns, contusions, wounds, and fractures— one case of
laceration of the brain died.
2 5 M D
188
There has been less fever treated during this year, but the propor
-
tion to other diseases was almost the same. 310 Government servants
were treated.
14. Vaccination was fairly carried on at Alibagh, though a smaller
number was vaccinated than in the previous year—199 successful
c a s e s ; a t m y a n n u a l i n s p e c t i o n , I f o u n d t h e g e n e r a l c a r e t a k e n i n t h e
work by Sub-assistant Surgeon Pereira very satisfactory. The
medicines and instruments were in good order. A native medical
pupil is attached, but he is utterly useless, and will leave the service
soon. The cost of this dispensary is undertaken by Government for
civil, jail, police, and people, all of whom partake of its benefits.
Dapuli.
15. The benefits the little dispensary established at this quasi
civil station can afford, are becoming, though very gradually, more
freely sought after. In the year under report 1,829 persons were
treated, exclusive of Europeans and police, being 104 in excess of
the previous year. 24 remained from the year 1871-72 and 1,805
were fresh admissions. 1,273 were Hindus, 609 Mussulmans, 24
Christians, and 23 Parsees. 1,619 were discharged cured or relieved,
182 absented, 1 died, and 27 remained.
Under general diseases, Division A, 577 received treatment, 384
were ague, giving a percentage of 20.99 to treated; there were also
a few cases of febricula, hooping-cough, and measles.
Under Division B, rheumatism was the chief disease.
Local diseases .—41 cases of eye disease, 108 affections of the
respiratory system, 458 were treated for derangements of the diges
-
tive system: congestion of the spleen and dysentery gave a few
cases; diarrhœa, colic, intestinal worms gave a large number for
which santonine was used—"fabulous numbers of these worms were
expelled." 378 cases of cutaneous disease came under treatment.
101 injuries were treated—none of much importance. A few
surgical operations were performed.
16. Dapuli is important, as it is the only place where medical aid
is available for considerable distances, north and south, Rutnagiri
and Alibagh being the other nearest dispensaries. There are a
few English officers resident here, also occasional visitors for change
of air.
Vaccination was successfully carried on in Dapuli and in the neigh
-
bourhood by Honorary Assistant Surgeon Pollard, though the opera
-
tions I saw at Geemouni were not such as I could be pleased with;
a little more care in recording results would not be amiss. The duties
at this station are performed satisfactorily by Mr. Pollard.
189
D I S P E N S A R I E S W H O L L Y E N D O W E D .
KALIAWARI.
Nausari .
1. At this endowed dispensary, near the populous Gaikowar city
of Nausari, and at the British village of Kaliawari, 6,315 persons
were treated during the year, being an increase on the previous year
of 61. These were made up of 113 remained from the previous year
and 6,202 fresh admissions; of the total number 5,874 were discharg
- e d c u r e d o r r e l i e v e d , 3 2 3 a b s e n t e d , 1 d i e d , a n d 1 1 7 r e m a i n e d u n d e r
treatment. The average daily attendance was 63.6. There were 2,903
Hindus, 2,639 Parsees, 772 Mussulmans, and 1 Christian—the above
numbers include in-patients.
Under general diseases, A and B, there were 2,000 who received
treatment. Of these there were fevers 1,576, and of these again 1,142
were from ague—giving a percentage of 18.08 to all treated-394 from
continued fever, and 40 from remittent fever. Of local diseases,
there were nearly 200 of nervous disease, of which five were of the
intellect under mania. Diseases of the eye were somewhat numer
- o u s , t h o s e o f t h e r e s p i r a t o r y s y s t e m w e r e 8 1 2 , a n d o f t h e d i g e s t i v e
system 1,502; amongst these latter, there were 760 cases of intestinal
parasite and 231 of dyspepsia, to which natives are much subject. 53
cases of spleen enlargement occurred, and the persons suffering were
chiefly Parsee cultivators or farmers, who reside in villages where
ague is very prevalent. These people go by the name of "
P a l l i a . " f r o m r e s i d i n g i n p l a c e s w h e r e t h e w a t e r a b o u n d s i na
v e g e t a b l e m a t t e r
called "Pall."
Amongst these people the enlargement of the spleen is frequently
very considerable, reaching several inches below the umbilicus. In
such places no doubt malaria prevails, but if the water is used, and
I understand it is, for drinking purposes, something should be done
towards correcting such a state of affairs.
Diseases of the cutaneous system were 993; injuries including
- f r a c t u r e s — s i m p l e a n d c o m p o u n d — c o n t u s i o n s , w o u n d s , o c c u r r e d i n
51 persons. Many operations of minor importance, and some som
e - w h a t a b o v e t h a t c h a r a c t e r , w e r e p e r f o r m e d w i t h s u c c e s s , a m o n g t s
which were cases of removal of uterine and nasal polypi, hydrocele,
tapping, amputation of toe, operation for hœmorrhoids, &c.
Vaccination was performed but not with much success as to num
bers; for Kaliawari is a small village and Nausari has a Gaikowaree
vaccinator.
190
2. The sub-assistant surgeon in medical charge is intelligent and
attentive; but, as I said before, he lives at a considerable distance
away, in the city of Nausari, where there is a charitable dispensary,
kept up by Mr. Wadia, of which the sub-assistant Surgeon also has
the charge. It is this that has enabled him to continue in medical
charge of the Victoria Dispensary on reduced allowance, the endow
-
ment being insufficient to pay more than the services of a 3rd class
sub-assistant surgeon, the present incumbent belonging to the 2nd
class.
I twice visited this dispensary in the year, and also visited Mr.
Wadia's in Nausari, which appeared fairly conducted, and was very
liberally supplied with medicines.
DISPENSARIES PARTLY ENDOWED.
Uran .
3. On the opposite or south side of the Bombay harbour, is reach
-
ed expeditiously by ferry steamer. Before arriving at the village of
Uran, the road leads past a set of curious looking, disorderly erections
which are the distilleries of the mhowra spirit, obtained from the
flowers of the Bassia Latifolia, a tree which grows in great abundance
in the Rajwara and Guzerat forests; it also is found in the Concans.
The peculiar smell of tins distillation pervades the whole air of the
place—its refuse dribbles slowly into aninlet of the sea, and lies spread
along its shore, where the lean kine of the place, which get little else,
feed upon it. The preparation of this native nectar is the prosperity
of the Uran Municipality, as a fee levied upon it raises the funds, and
enables them to do much that would otherwise be impossible, as in
road-making and the general sanitation of the place. The dispen
-
sary at Uran provides medical aid to the whole island of Karanja.
There were 3,670 persons treated in the year at the dispensary,
that is, 46 remained from previous year, and 3,624 were fresh admis-
-sions. There was an increase in number of treated of 920. Of the
admissions, Hindus were 2,382, Mussulmans 790, Christians 264,
Parsees 187, and 1 other caste. Of the total, 2,609 were cured or
relieved, 995 absented, 4 died, and 62 remained. The average daily
attendance was 40, the highest number was 50.
Under general diseases, Division A, there were 915 cases treated,
751 of which were for intermittent fever, giving a percentage of
20.49. There were less fever admissions during the year by 130.
There were 71 cases of hooping-cough. Under B, the chief diseases
treated were acute and chronic rheumatism, a few cases of syphilis,
5 anœmia, and 18 cases of phthisis. Under local diseases, those
of the respiratory and digestive systems gave the greatest numbers,
bronchitis in the one and dysentery, diarrhœa, dyspepsia, and the
round worm in the other. Skin disease was by no means uncom
-
mon. Of the ascaris lumbricoides or round worm, there were 441
191
cases treated—392 in children. This disease is not seen in all locali
-
ties; (an appendix table shows where most observed and where not)
where it prevails it is a source of great trouble. The lower orders of
people dread this parasite, especially when large numbers are expelled;
this fear has arisen from the fact that at the termination of fatal
diseases it frequently happens these worms are passed. There were
377 cases of diarrhœa admitted, more than last year by 104. Impure
water, feeding much on fish, crustacea, &c., give rise to it. Regard
-
ing water the sub-assistant surgeon says, "when the monsoon sets
in all the available hands of a household are employed from morning
till evening; before leaving in the morning pots are placed in front
of the house, which, during absence, become filled with rain water,
—dirty—from the eaves. On return from the day's work, the water
thus collected is taken for family use—failing this supply the nearest
pool is resorted to."
The sub-assistant surgeon has been called on several occasions
to obstetric cases. The surgical practice is limited. There were 103
cases of injuries; 86 minor operations were performed and 3 major.
Two cases of poisoning were treated—one of ground glass, the other
from taking the juice of the milkbush, "Euphorbia Tirucalli." As no
case of the kind is mentioned in Doctor Chever's work, I give it
shortly here from Mr.Gonsalves' cases:—
Muryah Munkah, Hindu, aged 38, of intemperate habits, took
at 7 in the morning a tea-spoonful of the juice of the common milk
-
bush, mixed with goor, as a purgative. Within a quarter of an hour
after taking it, he suffered burning pain in the stomach, vomiting,
purging with tormina and tenesmus; in 3 hours he was in a state of
collapse, and was dead in less than 12; the man committed a mis
-
take, as the dose of the fresh juice, as a drastic purgative, is 1 or at
most 2 drops.
The work of the dispensary is very ably performed by Sub
-
assistant Surgeon Gonsalves, who is assisted by a native medical
pupil.
Coorla.
4. The attendance at this dispensary has fallen off during the
year, there being 672 less than in the previous period. 6,018 cases
were treated, of which 3,588 were males, 1,208 females, and 1,222
children. 2,563 were Hindoos, 2,363 Christians, 1,069 Mussulmans,
20 Parsees, and 3 others.
There remained from the previous year 48 and 5,970 were fresh
admissions; of these 5,360 were cured or relieved, 588 absented, none
died, and 70 remained under treatment.
The average daily sick was 40.3. Under general diseases, Divi
-
sion A, 2,382 were treated, of which 2,284 were for ague, and