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Hakeems powerless to cure. Considering the wide extent of territory
which contributes its quota from various peoples to converge towards
Jacobabad to obtain the relief denied them in their own country, the
interests to humanity, and the political importance arising out of
the friendly relations thus established, it is a matter of regret that
this dispensary is not on a more extended scale, and one better suited
for meeting the necessities which are constantly arising owing to the
fluctuating population surrounding this station, especially in the cold
season. From statistics kept in the dispensary, it appears that
during the year 1871 only 42 per cent. of the total admissions were
from actual residents in Jacobabad, the remainder coming from foreign
and other parts of British territory. This institution, therefore, is
one of those to which the population test does not strictly apply, and
requi res speci al t reat ment ; moreover, as t hi s i s an i mport ant front i er
capital station, and the knowledge that in it a public hospital existed,
into which all, without reference to caste or creed, would be freely
admitted, and were certain to receive medical aid on the most approv--
ed European principles, a certain amount of political gain would
accrue to Government by erecting and keeping up an hospital or
good sized dispensary ; and to ensure which the expenditure of
the necessary sum would be comparatively of little moment ; but
the present building with its establishment is not at all calculated to
fulfil the requirements thus indicated. Some six months ago there
was submitted for my approval the plans of an hospital proposed
to be erected at Jacobabad. I suggested some alterations which
were adopted, but for the present I believe the matter has been
shelved.
38. As regards the work done at this dispensary it has been very
satisfactory, considering the extremely limited accommodation at com
- m a n d : u p w a r d s o f 3 , 0 0 0 p a t i e n t s h a v e b e e n t r e a t e d , a n d , b e s i d e s m a n y
minor operations, 23 important ones have been performed during
the past year. Dr. Byramjee, the medical officer in charge, is cer--
tainly zealous, and gives great attention to all professional matters.
He deserves considerable credit for the manner in which he has
made the best of the difficulties he has had to contend with in con
- d u c t i n g t h i s d i s p e n s a r y .
39. Kippra possesses the only dispensary established under the
rules of 1867. It was opened in August 1868, and receives from
Goverment Rs. 600 per annum as a grant-in-aid. It has a small
population of not more than 2,000 souls, but many people from the
districts around apply for aid at this dispensary. It is well thought
of by the natives, as a daily average attendance of 31 sufficiently
indicates.
40. By far the most important dispensary in the Thar and Parkar
Districts is the one at -Umarkot, where upwards of 4,000 patients
were treated during the past year. This number is out of all proportion
to the population of Umarkot, which does not exceed 2,800 persons,
but the large number of sick is accounted for by the influx of numer
- o u s f a m i n e - s t r i c k e n M a r w a r r i e s a n d p e o p l e f r o m R a j p u t a n a , w h o
28 M D