NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
168
table will show the total number of sick treated and deaths in each
year, together with the daily average attendance since 1867 :—
Years .
Total
Treated.
Total No. of
Deaths.
Daily average
Attendance.
1863
1,292
26
. . .
1864
1,956
44
. . .
1865
2,004
30
...
1866
1,438
49
. . .
1867
1,172
3
20.3
1868
2,069
43
24.
1869
1,613
28
14.4
1870
1,341
64
18.3
1871-72
2,035
33
39.
It will be observed that its operations have been pretty uniform
since its establishment, and that the rate of deaths to treated, as
compared with other dispensaries of this class, is high, and this, no
doubt, is to be ascribed to the presence of cholera as it appeared in
that town.
The dispensary building is well situated, and is itself suitable for a
dispensary. It contains wards for the reception of in-door partients,
but few are admitted, as no funds are available for their maintenance,
and consequently the accommodation which ought to be devoted to
that purpose, is given up for the use of officers having official work to
perform in those districts.
This practice ought to be prohibited, and the municipality made to
provide funds for the support of the indigent sick who would gladly
avail themselves of the advantages of the hospital.
A Sub-Assistant Surgeon has hitherto been appointed to this dis-
pensary. Reports speak highly of the late Medical Officer, Mr.
Narayen Anuntah, who has just been allowed to exchange appoint-
ments at the Grant College with Mr. Bhicajee Amroot, the present
officer in charge.
Karar—Satara Collectorate.
This dispensary was established in 1865. It had been a want
long felt, as the , town is both large and at times very unhealthy.
Its population is about 9,431, and consists principally of Hindoos.
169
The reason of its unhealthiness is two-fold: 1st, its natural position,
placed as it is on the banks of two convergent streams, the Krishna
and the Koina ; and 2ndly, in consequence of filthy state of the town,
narrowness of its streets, and, until lately, the want of pure water;
for the river all around the town is more or less contaminated.
Since a municipality has been formed the sanitary condition of the
town is said to have improved, but it is still very far from being a
clean or healthy one.
The table annexed will indicate the progress of the operations of
the institution as conducted by Mr. Ramchunder Dajee, the Medical
Officer in charge.
The dispensary building is situated quite outside the town, and
on a site which, in point of salubrity, is well enough, but I am induc-
ed to think not for the convenience of the inhabitants.
It is a substantial building and contains a good surgery and receiv-
ing room, and a ward sufficiently large to contain 4 patients. There
is no house or room for the medical officer in charge, nor are there
any subsidiary buildings attached to it. The present incumbent
is obliged to reside in a house in the town and at some distance
from his dispensary, which is objectionable.
On my visit of inspection in February last, I was satisfied
that the duties of the institution were being well and efficiently
carried on by Mr. Ramchunder Dajee, who has the reputation of
being an earnest, zealous man, and well qualified to conduct the duties
of the dispensary.
The average daily attendance, I think, is sufficient to show
that the Hospital Assistant's labours are appreciated and that he has
gained the confidence of the community.
Although vaccination is not alluded to in Mr. Ramchunder
Dajee's report, I was given to understand that the operations had
been regularly conducted at the dispensary ; but the usual complaints
were made of the difficulty with which it was carried on owing to
the prejudice of numbers of the Lingayets and other classes
Small-pox is reported to have been prevalent both in the town
and the surrounding villages in February and
Epidemic diseases.
March last, but only a few cases have been
treated at the dispensary. The town and neighbourhood have been
free from cholera during the period under review, but as the medical
officer justly remarks, this exemption may be ascribed more to the
general healthiness of the season than to the sanitary measures under-
taken to improve and clean the town.
People residing in the north and east parts of the town are sup-
plied with good drinking-water from the Krishna Canal by means of
an aqueduct, and a few hawoods, or small reservoirs, have been built in
different parts of it, so that as regard good potable water the people
may be said to be well off.
The following Table indicates the date and year in which the Karar Dispensary was opened, and other particulars,
as required by Memo. No. 701, dated 27th April 1872.
Date and year in which the
Dispensary was opened.
Daily average Number of attend-
ance throughout the Year.
The total Number of Sick treated and
Deaths in each Year.
REMARKS.
Total treated.
Deaths.
15th March 1865 ...
...
1865 .........
54.3
2,787
11
Excepting the pay and allowance
of the 1st class establishments
all the expenses have been paid
by the Karar Municipality.
1866 ..........
39.8
2,192
...
1867 ..........
45.8
2,865
1
1868 ...........
49.5
3,439
39
1869 ...........
46.5
3,179
16
1870 ...........
46.2
2,742
1
*1871 ...........
60.7
749
...
†1871-72 ......
69.3
4,044
3
*From 1st January to 31st March 1871. † From 1st April 1871 to 31st March 1872.
RAMCHUNDER DAJEE, No. 416,
2nd Class Hospital Assistant, in charge Karar Dispensary.
Karar , 7th May 1872.
170
171
Wai—Satara Collectorate.
The dispensary at Wai was established in 1865. The town is a
large one, containing a population of about 11,000. It is situated on
the left bank of Krishna River, and, being a place of some sanctity,
is chiefly occupied by Brahmins.
Not having yet visited this dispensary, I cannot speak from my
own experience regarding it, but reports inform me the dispensary
building is a fair one, and well situated as regards the facilities it
affords for patients resorting to it.
From the statement now submitted of its operations for the 7 years,
I am inclined to think that it is not satisfactorily progressing. The
daily average attendance was certainly higher in the 3 first years of its
course than subsequently. Very probably this is owing to the fault
of the Hospital Assistant in charge, who has been reported by the
Civil Surgeon of Satara, in his last inspection report, to be wanting
both in professional ability and in that weight and influence so neces
-
sary when dealing with prejudiced, but intelligent, communities,
such as met with at Wai. I should strongly advise the removal of
the present Hospital Assistant, and recommend to the Inspector Ge-
- neral that he be replaced, if possible, by a Brahmin possessed of
superior professional attainments than Mr. Bangapa Jagunnath.
I am happy in being able to state that vaccination has been attended
to and carried on pretty steadily during the year. In the report
from the dispensary on this subject, I was surprised to learn that
the poorer classes were more opposed and prejudiced against vacc
i- nation than the higher classes, such as Brahmins and Marathas ;
my own experience is the reverse of this.
The Hospital Assistant makes some sensible, but I believe oft
repeated, observations touching the foul state of the river opposite
the town, and from which the potable water is obtained. Dirty
clothes, diseased cattle, and of course men and women are all allowed
promiscuously to wash and be washed in that part of the river
described, and where the water is almost stagnant.
Orders might be issued prohibiting people from bathing, washing
cattle, and otherwise fouling the water opposite the town. Below the
town all these necessary operations might be carried on with com-
- parative impunity.
STATEMENT showing as follows :—
Date and year in which the
Dispensary was opened.
Total No. of Sick treated and
Deaths in each Year.
Daily average No. of
Attendance throughout
the year as shown in
Annual Report.
Whether Dispensary is
entirely supported by
Government, and if not,
to what extent.
REMARKS.
Years.
Treated.
Deaths.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
1 7 t h J a n u a r y 1 8 6 5 .
1865 ...
2,801
34
23.4.1
Except pay of Medical Sub-
ordinates, the whole ex-
pense belongs to Muni-
cipality of this town.
* The last figures 172
of attendance,
&c., is for 15
months, from
1st January
1871 to 31st
March 1872.
1866 ...
2,661
2
22.4.4
1867 ...
3,092
8
23.6
1868 ...
2,600
3
18.3
1869 ...
2,731
39
19.1
1870 ...
2,793
2
14.9
*1871-72 ...
4,495
2
21.2
831
3,664
Wai, 8th May 1872.
GANGAJEE JAGUNNATH,
3rd Class Hospital Assistant, in charge Dispensary, Wai.
173
Belgaum—Belgaun Collectorate.
This is one of the oldest established dispensaries in this division.
It was opened on the 1st December 1859, nearly 12 years ago, and
has been regularly and successfully carried on up to this date.
The town of Belgaum contains about 16,000 inhabitants, but as the
city of Shapur adjoins it, the population is usually taken together,
and thus raising the number of its inhabitants to 30,000.
Owing to its proximity to a large Military Cantonment, it is of
course of some moment that the town should be kept as clean and
healthy as possible. This has hitherto been an undertaking of great
difficulty, in consequence of the town of Shapur belonging to the
Chief of Sangli, and consequently is not under the control and super-
vision of the Magistrate of Belgaum.
The dispensary is situated in the centre of the town of Belgaum,
and is a building ill-adapted to meet the requirements laid down in
the revised rules. It consists of two rooms separated by a broad
passage leading to the main building, the upper storey of which is
occupied by the Hospital Assistant and medical pupils. The ground
floor is intended for the reception of in-door patients. It consists of
a room without windows, consequently is dark and ill-ventilated, and
a covered verandah opens to the east.
The rooms at the gateway are the surgery and dispensary, with a
verandah in front which serves as a reception room for patients
attending.
The table appended to this report will point out the extent of the
dispensary's operations for the past 12 years. It has, I think, been
steadily conducted throughout, and I speak from personal knowledge
and observation, when I say it has been the means of doing a great
deal of good and has afforded relief to a large number of persons who
would not have availed themselves of the advantages of a civil hos
-pital.
Since it was first opened in 1869, 37,224 persons have received
medicines and medical aid from the institution, and its average daily
attendance has been 53, and deaths 64.
The mortality recorded of dispensary patients, however, is not to
be depended upon. For, were we to accept the given ratios of death
to treated, we should be driven to the conclusion, either that the
treatment pursued at these institutions held out a certain immunity
from death, or that the inhabitants of the town in which they are
situated were naturally the healthiest in existence.
22 M D
174
To illustrate this I will take the dispensary under report. In
which during the past 12 years 37,224 persons have been treated
and 64 have died, or, in other words, only one and a half persons in
every thousand treated died annually. A decrement so small as to
render the returns so far untrustworthy.
Vaccination seems to be but irregularly performed at the dispen
- s a r y . I t i s h o w e v e r f a i r l y c a r r i e d o u t i n t h e t o w n b y t h e M u n i c i p a l
Vaccinator. The usual complaints are made by the Hospital Assist
- a n t r e g a r d i n g t h e r e l i g i o u s p r e j u d i c e s o f t h e p e o p l e , b u t n o w t h a t
stringent orders have been issued touching the weekly perform-
- a n c e o f v a c c i n a t i o n a t t h e d i f f e r e n t p a r t s o f t h e t o w n , I t r u s t t h e
next year's return will show an increase in point of numbers
vaccinated.
Few cases of small-pox were treated at the dispensary, though
the disease was rife in the town and neighbourhood.
The water supply for drinking purposes is obtained from wells,
and is on the whole good, and in ordinary times sufficient, but in a
scanty monsoon, such as the last, some privations in this respect
must be felt.
The support of this institution is derived as follows :—
Paid by Government.
Pay of Hospital Assistant
Rs. 660
Do. 2 Medical Pupils
„ 192
Do. Secretary to the Dispensary
„
360
1 Peon
„
72
1 Dispensary Servant
„
84
1 Sweeper
„
60
1,428
Expenses received by the Municipality-
European Medicines
„ 550
House-rent
„
360
Petty Supplies
„
170
Total
„
2,508
The following table shows the total number of patients treated,
the daily average number of attendance, and the number of deaths
in each year :—
175
Years.
Total No. of
Sick treated
in each
year.
D a i l y a v e r a g e
No. of Attend-
ance in each
year.
Total No. of
Deaths in
each year.
1859
245
31.45
...
1860
2,612
40.45
6
1861
2,784
63.2
4
1862
3,079
126.9
2
1863
3,233
49.3
4
1864
2 , 2 8 0
38.3
2
1865
2,925
44.9
3
1866
3,493
71.7
14
1867
4,154
74.8
6
1868
3,165
50.0
3
1869
2,946
35.4
17
1870
2,344
29.6
. . .
1871
606
46.6
. . .
1872
3,358
50.13
...
Gokak—Belgaum Collectorate.
The town of Gokak is the chief town of the taluka, and contains
9,680 inhabitants. It is situated on the Ghatpurba River, is inhabit-
- e d c h i e f l y b y d y e r s a n d w o r k e r s i n a r t i f i c i a l t o y s .
Formerly this town was noted for being a very unhealthy one,
attributed to a great defect in sanitary arrangements, and to the prac-
tice which existed of allowing the refuse water used in dyeing pur-
poses to flow down the channels and drains of the town leading to
the river, thus contaminating both the wells and that portion of the
river from which the people usually obtain their water for drinking
purposes.
About 2 years ago this was prohibited, and through the exertions
of the Collector the people have been made to resort to a spot on the
banks of the river below the town for the purpose of washing and
drying cloth. The drains are now kept free from impurities, and the
176
streets of the town clean, and strict supervision is exercised over all
that tends to the preservation of the health of its inhabitants.
The dispensary of Gokak was opened on the 2nd October 1867,
and the statement appended to this report will point out the work--
ing of the dispensary since its establishment.
In the year 1869 cholera visited the town, which will account for
the high death rates exhibited for that year ; but it has not appeared
since—certainly not in the form of an epidemic.
The dispensary building is one of the poorest class. It was
formerly a shop, situated in the heart of the town, and altogether a
building quite unsuitable and unworthy of so large and flourishing a
place as Gokak.
A new dispensary is about to be built, and when on my visit of
inspection in February last, I selected, with Mr. Grey, the Collector,
a new site, which is one in every way better suited for the object in
view than the present.
The dispensary contains two rooms, one on the ground floor and the
other is above, which latter was intended for the reception of in
- door patients, but there being no funds available for that purpose
none are admittted. When the new dispensary is built and opened,
I am in hopes that the Municipality will be able to afford a sufficient
sum annually for the maintenance of in-door patients.
Neither cholera nor small-pox has appeared in the town during the
past year ; but the exemption from the latter disease, I am afraid,
cannot be ascribed to the system of vaccination carried on by the
Hospital Assistant. No mention is made of vaccine operation in his
report, but on my visit I was assured vaccination was properly
attended to.
As regards water supply the people are now better off than
formerly. They procure drinking-water from the river, but it is un
- contaminated with filthy drain sewage, which, as before stated, was
allowed to flow into the river abreast the town.
The Hospital Assistant, Mr. Harry Ragoonath, in his report, com
- plains of not being supplied with a capital instrument case, and
that he has had great difficulty in performing operations of that
kind. The Hospital Assistant was informed by me in February last,
that I considered he was supplied with all the instruments he was
capable of using, and that cases requiring amputation would have
to be sent to Belgaum.
Mr. Harry Ragoonath is a hard-working and zealous man, and
has a good character among the native community.
LIST showing the statement of the Charitable Dispensary, Gokak, as per Memo. No. 701, dated 29 th, April 1872,
by the Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals, P. D. A., Poona.
Date and Year in
which the Dispen-
sary was opened.
Daily average Number of Attendance
throughout the years as shown in
the Annual Report.
The Total Number of Sick treated and Deaths in each Year.
Whether the Dis-
pensary is entirely
supported by Go-
vernment, and if not,
to what extent.
177
1867 1868 1869 1870
Quarter-
ly, from
1st Janu-
ary to
31st
March
1871.
1871-72.
1867.
1868.
1869.
1870. Quarterly. 1871-72.
T r e a t e d .
D i e d .
T r e a t e d .
Di e d .
T r e a t e d .
D i e d .
T r e a t e d .
D i e d .
Treated.
D i e d .
T r e a t e d .
D i e d .
2nd October 1867 ... 21.5 14 15 26.8
43
48.9 541 1 1427 18 1193 40 1689 9 631 .. 2708 6
This Dispensary is partly
supported by Govern-
ment, i.e., it receives the
pay for Medical Subor-
dinates and two Native
Medical Pupils, Grain
Compensations and Tra-
velling allowance.
All other expenses have
been defrayed from the
Municipal Fund.
Gokak, 8 th May 1872.
HARRY RUGHOONATH, V. C., No. 548,
3rd Class Hospital Assistant, in charge Charitable Dispensary, Gokak.
178
Hubli—Dharwar Collectorate.
The town of Hubli is one of some extent, and contains 38,000
inhabitants, principally of the weaver class. It is also a great mart
for cotton, which adds to its importance.
The dispensary was established in the year 1860. During the
first year it was opened, the daily average number of sick was 33.9,
and the total of sick treated 2,254.
Since that time, although the daily average attendance has been
increasing, its total treated in the year remained pretty stationary
until 1869, when the number rose to about 4,000.
In February last I visited Hubli, and had every reason to be
satisfied with the working of the dispensary.
It is pleasantly situated in the town, and has a good garden attach
-ed. The building is substantially constructed, and is one in every
way suitable for dispensary. It contains two wards, each capable of
holding 4 cots, a surgery, waiting-room, store-room, &c. The sub
-sidiary buildings are complete, with exception of a dead-house—a
want very much felt. A suitable house for the Sub-Assistant Surgeon
likewise ought to be built, as that officer is now compelled to reside
at some little distance from the dispensary.
A table showing the date and year in which the dispensary was
opened, the number of sick treated, deaths, and daily number of
attendance in each of the subsequent years is appended to the report.
The institution is supported by the Municipality of Hubli, Govern
-ment paying the salaries of the medical officer in charge, the medical
pupils, and 2nd class servants, together with a small contingent
allowance for stationery, &c.
From my knowledge of Mr. Wamonroa's character and his pro
-fessional attainments, and from the manner in which he has hitherto
conducted his duties, I consider him eminently well fitted for the
appointment he now holds.
TABLE showing the Date and Year in which the Hubli Dispensary was opened, the Number of Sick treated,
Deaths, daily average Number of Attendance, &c., &c., in each, of the subsequent years.
Years
Date and year in
which the Hubli
Dispensary
was opened.
Total Number of
Sick treated.
Total Number
of Deaths.
Daily average
Number of
Attendance.
REMARKS.
1860 ...
. . .
1 6 t h M a r c h 1 8 6 0 .
2,254
4
33.9 This Dispensary is not entirely supported by Govern-
ment. The pay of the Sub-Assistant Surgeon,
Native Medical Pupils, Second Class Hospital
179
servants, and stationery are paid by Government.
The rest of the expenses, viz., of Europe and coun-
try medicines, dieting and clothing patients, &c.,
&c., are paid by the Municipality.
1861 ... ...
2,807
4
37.5
1862 ... ...
3,347
4
66.9*
1863 ... ...
2,706
7
44.3
1864 ... ...
3,256
4
52.2
1865 ...
. . .
3,761
3
58.3
1866 ...
. . .
3,034
7
56.1
1867 ...
. . .
3,367
...
60.0
1868 ...
. . .
3,244
2
47.9
1869 ...
. . .
4,140
10
65.4
1870 ... ...
3,707
11
66.8
1871 ... ...
3,964
12
69.4
* Return not found, but obtained from remarks.
WAMON WASSOOEO,
Sub-Assistant Surgeon, in medical charge Charitable Dispensary, Hubli.
Hubli, 9 th May 1872.
180
Gadak—Dharwar Co llectorate.
The district of Gadak lies to the eastward of Dharwar, and forms
part of what is termed the " black plain." The town itself is one
of some interest, as it is situated in the midst of a country which
largely supplies Bombay with cotton. At present it is by no means
a large town, but should it eventually become the terminus of tho
Karwar State Railway, its importance will be increased. Its popula-
tion is stated to be 8,654.
Since the year 1865 it has possessed a dispensary which, from
the statement appended, appears to have been better attended than
at present. For the first three years of its establishment the daily
average number of sick range from 29 to 35, and. the total treated
in the same period 7,343. During the last three years, that is, from
1869 to 1871-72, the daily average of attendance has decreased to
12 . 7 and 17 . 1, and the number of sick treated was only 3,007, or less
than one-half.
In reports and returns received from this dispensary no satisfactory
reasons are assigned for their decrease, and therefore I cau only as-
cribe it to an absence of zeal and energy on the part of the medical
officer in charge.
In his report of the dispensary during the past year, Mr. Callnpa
Nursoo complains that "the Lingayets are very backward in point of
appreciating European medicines, " and "that the Brahmins oily
take medicines in serious cases" ; but this does not militate
against the fact that formerly the operations of the dispensary were
active aud progressive, and that for several years past they have
retrograded.
During my annual tour of inspection I was unable to visit Gadak.
The dispensary building is reported to be well situated, and its accom-
modation sufficient for the ordinary number of in-patients. A small
house for the Hospital Assistant is in course of erection, but there
are no quarters for the medical pupils.
The Municipality support a vaccinator, and the number of persons
vaccinated during the year was 4.423.
The Hospital Assistant himself, I am afraid, seldom or ever
vaccinates.
With exception of a well in the dispensary compound, which the
Hospital Assistant appears to have constructed at his own expense,
no mention is made of the water-supply for the town ; but reports
mention it is derivable from wells, and that the water is good and
sufficient.
This dispensary is supported, like all others of its class, by the
Municipality, Government paying the salaries only of the Hospital
Assistant and Native Medical Pupil and their travelling expenses.
23 M D
TABLE showing the date and year in which the Gadak Dispensary was opened, the number of Sick treated,
Deaths, daily average number of Attendance, &c., in each of the subsquent years.
Years.
Date and year in
which the Dis-
pensary was
opened.
Total number of
Sick treated.
Total number of
Deaths.
Daily average
number of Attend-
ance.
REMARKS.
181
1865
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
1,848
2
29.0
1866
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
2,724
7
35.3
1867
. . .
. . .
...
...
...
1 5 t h A p r i l 1 8 6 5 .
2,771
......
32.1
1868
. . .
...
. . .
. . .
. . .
1,862
. . . . . .
18.9
1869
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
874
6
13.6
1870
...
...
...
. . .
. . .
948
3
12.7
1871
. . .
. . .
...
. . .
...
307
......
18.4
*1871-72 ...
. . .
...
. . .
...
1,185
1
17.1
* For three months only.