415
the past year have furnished 293 patients, which is an increase of 35
in the previous one. The rate of mortality has likewise risen, being 15.5
per cent. to treated against 10.4. It is from outsiders and travellers
that the numbers of in-door patients are chiefly recruited, and these are
often in a sad state of wretchedness and destitution. Hence the mortality
of this class will always stand high. There have been 1,103 out-door
patients more this year than last; an increase of nearly one-third.
This is owing partly to dengue, of which there were 43 cases, and
also to the general unhealthiness of the season: but a good, deal of it
is directly traceable to the popularity of Honorary Assistant Surgeon
Leahy, who is at once kind, energetic, and skilful, and who deserves
credit for seeking opportunities of performing various important sur-
gical operations, in which he has had considerable success. Besides
having had to treat a large number of wounds and injuries, including
fractures, he has had 25 cases of stone in the bladder, and the total
of his casualties from all of these have amounted to only 6, which
speaks well for his surgery and general management.
56. The number of persons receiving medical aid at the Rohri
Dispensary for the year under report have amounted to 3,069, which
shows an increase of 253 as compared with 1871-72. A slight falling
off has been observed in the number of the in-door patients, and yet
the rate of mortality has doubled that for the preceding year, being
5 . 4 a g a i n s t 2 . 9 o f t h e n u m b e r t r e a t e d . O n e - t h i r d n e a r l y o f t h e
admissions have been from malarious fevers. Diseases of the stomach
and intestines also have been of frequent occurrence. Affections of
the respiratory organs were likewise prevalent. Dengue was not
once seen, although it was fairly established on the other side of the
river. None but minor operations in surgery have been performed.
In a previous report I brought to notice the unsuitableness of the
present building, it being small and confined, and crowded on all
sides by native houses. In anticipation of a greater demand being
likely soon to be made on its resources, consequent on the Railway
works to be commenced in the neighbourhood, and the increased
number of persons this will attract to the town, it would be very
desirable that a new dispensary should be built: and I am informed
the municipelity are ready to contribute towards this object nearly
R s . 2 , 0 0 0 . F r o m a c o m m u n i c a t i o n l a t e l y r e c e i v e d f r o m t h e C o l l e c t o r
or Shikarpur, accompanied with plans, I would hope that a measure
so beneficial will now not be much longer delayed.
57. At the Tarusha Dispensary, the past year shows a large
increase in the amount of work performed. Whereas 1,890 persons
were treated in 1871-72, there have been 3,125 who have received
medical aid during the year under report, which is an increase of 1,235
p a t i e n t s . I n m o s t o f t h e o t h e r d i s p e n s a r i e s i t h a s b e e n n o t i c e d t h a t
the in-door patients have been fewer, while the rate of mortality has
been higher; but at Tarusha this is reversed. One-third more in-door
52 M D