NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
182
Bagalkot—Kaladgi Collectorate.
The town of Bagalkot is about 12 miles to the north-east of
Kaladgi. It is a place of some size and importance in that part of
the country, indeed more so than Kaladgi itself.
The principal branches of industry carried on in the town, I believe,
are weaving and dyeing. A dispensary has not been established
longer than 4 years, but it has already obtained a good reputation
amongst the townspeople, and deservedly so, for there are few
institutions so well conducted in this division.
Its operations since January 1868 have been carefully drawn up,
and are submitted in the table annexed to this report. The dispen-
sary building is one of the best and most complete of any I have
inspected, and erected, I undersand, by the Municipality at a cost of
Rs. 6,000.
It is a large house, conveniently situated on the confines of the
town, and contains a large dispensary, surgery, and two wards,
each capable of holding six cots. There is also a cook-house and
latrine adjoining. To make the dispensary complete, two essentials
are required, viz., quarters for the Hospital Assistant and a dead
house. The latter subsidiary building is now urgently needed, as
bodies are not infrequently sent to the dispensary for examination
and report, and much inconvenience and discomfort is felt for
want of a proper place in which post-mortem investigation can be
conducted.
In-door patients appear to have been few during the year, in
spite of the ample accommodation ready for their reception and
treatment.
This defect must be attributed as usual to the want of means, the
funds of the municipality being chiefly devoted to cleaning the town
and other general sanitary purposes.
On my visiting this dispensary in February last, I was gratified to
find so good a dispensary building. The manner also in which the
duties of the institution were carried out by the Hospital Assistant
met my approval. There was a good attendance-of patients on the
day of my visit, and each and all were prescribed for in a manner so
thoughtful and judicious, as to leave a favourable impression on my
mind of Mr. Amroota Tatia's professional abilities and aptitude for
the work before him. One case of severe injury of the knee-joint of
long standing was shown to me for my opinion. The poor patient
was bitterly disappointed when I coincided with Mr. Amroota Tatia,
that to save his life he must consent to lose his limb, and advised
his being sent into Kaladgi to undergo the operation.
TABLE showing the date and year in which the Bagalkot 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 Dispen-
sary was
opened.
Daily average No. of attendance
in each year.
Total No. of
Sick treated
in each year.
Total No.
of Deaths
in each
year.
REMARKS.
Males. Females. Children. Total.
1868
..
..
..
. .
2 6 t h J a n u a r y 1 8 6 8 .
17.5
7.6
9.4
33.15
2,818
5 This Dispensary is partly- sup-
ported by the Municipality of
Bagalkot.
1869
..
. .
..
..
19.7
12.2
14.6
46.5
2,946
14
1870
..
..
..
..
18.4
9.9
13.0
41.3
3,207
6
1871
..
..
. .
. .
20.3
6.5
13.0
39.8
914
1
1871-72* ..
..
..
. .
20.3
6.5
12.9
39.7
2,985
3
*From 1st January to 31st March 1871.
183
184
Irandol—Dhulia Collectorate.
Irandol Dispensary, from the size of the town in which it is
situated, and from the. numerous outlying villages, ought to be a
large one, and an institution of some importance in that part of the
country.
The town contains by last census 11,000 inhabitants, but the
villages surrounding it would. bring up the population dependent on
this dispensary for medical assistance and medicines to nearly
double that number.
The dispensary at Irandol is one of the smallest dispensaries,
and opened on 1st January 1870.
On my visit in December last I found the work had been suspend-
- e d f o r s o m e w e e k s , o w i n g t o t h e s e v e r e s i c k n e s s o f i t s H o s p i t a l
Assistant, and who died. a few days subsequent to my seeing him.
I was also disappointed in the dispensary accommodation, which
I found consisted of two small rooms situated. over one of the gate-
ways of the town. They are not only too confined, but for the sick
at times must prove very difficult of access, as they are approached
by narrow and steep steps leading from the outside, of course all
other subsidiary buildings are wanting.
Before the dispensary can be made to meet the wants of so large
a population, either another and a more commodious building must
be rented, or a new one erected by the Municipality.
The following table furnishes the result of the operations during
the past two years :—
Years.
Daily
average No.
of Sick.
Total
Treated.
Deaths.
1870
13.0
1,728
2
*1871
11.6
386
. . .
1871-72
12.4
1,281
10
* For 3 months.
For so large a population I do not consider the result obtained is
satisfactory, and in order to make this dispensary what it ought to
be, to effect greater results, two things are essentially necessary : 1st,
suitable building must be either rented, or a new one built by the
Municipality ; and, 2ndly, the charge of the dispensary must be
placed in the hands of an older and. more experienced Assistant than
the present one, who though steady and, I believe, willing to work,
has had no experience and never was placed in an independent charge
before.
185
Mohen Mallee has been just promoted to his present grade, and
was only sent to the dispensary as a temporary measure.
Vaccination, I am afraid, has been too much disregarded during the
past year, but I trust will, for the future, be steadily practised here,
lymph being at all times obtainable from Dhurungaum, which is
only 10 miles distant.
In the month of August last cholera visited the town, 29 persons
were attacked, and 10 died.
Formerly the town had an unenviable notoriety for being one of the
dirtiest and most unhealthy in Khandesh, but since it has had a muni
-cipality a great change for the better has taken place. Streets have
been opened out and cleaned, and sanitary measures of various
kinds adopted, so that it can by no means now be said to be either
dirty or insalubrious.
Akalkot—State Dispensary.
Although this dispensary has not been opened fully a year, I think
it will be interesting to give a sketch of its operations during the
short period of its existence.
It is one of the two State dispensaries, and established by the desire
and at the expense of the Rajah of Akalkot in May 1871, so that
it has only been opened to the public 11 months.
The reports and returns received from the medical officer in charge
are clear and satisfactory. Since 1st May, and terminating on the
31st March, the returns submitted show that 2,016 persons have been
treated at the dispensary ; that the daily average was 37.67, and
that the number of deaths in that period was 14.
I had not an opportunity of inspecting this dispensary last cold sea
-
son, but am informed that the building which serves as a dispensary
is only sufficiently large to be used as a surgery and dispensary, that
there are no wards for the reception of in-door patients, and of course
no subsidiary buildings.
As the Political Superintendent states that a new dispensary build
-ing will shortly be erected, it is hoped that these important offices of
a dispensary will not be long wanting, and that it will be constructed
on a scale and plan commensurate with the ample means at the dis
-posal of the State.
Mr. Hunmantrow Ghorparay is the present medical officer in
charge, and from what I have seen of his work, and judging from
observation of others, I believe him to be zealous and active in the
discharge of his duties, and anxious to please and conciliate those
who seek his professional advice and assistance.
Yeola—Nasik Collectorate.
This dispensary was opened on the 7th December 1868, conse
-quently it has been in operations for about 3 years.
186
The town in which it is situated contains about 6,000 inhabitant
s, and is on the high road between Maligam and Ahmadnagar.
This was one of the dispensaries inspected by me when on tour,
and I am sorry to state I was not favourably impressed either with
the dispensary itself or the manner in which it was being conducted.
The building is in the heart of the town and densely surrounded
by houses. The accommodation it affords is simply a covered verandah
by a wall, against which, and in the open, a bench is placed for the
convenience of patients attending.
As regards then its site and the accommodation it affords, nothing
could be more unsuitable and inadequate for the purposes in view,
and I trust the Municipality will be moved to erect, without delay,
a proper building.
The usual statement is withheld, as after repeated injunctions to the
Native Doctor to furnish the same, it was found to be after its re
ceipt so totally untrustworthy as to render it useless for our present
purpose.
The Medical Subordinate in charge was formerly, I understand,
on the regular establishment and (I presume) took his discharge. At
any rate he was not appointed to this dispensary by the Inspector
General, but by the Municipality at the recommendation of the Vin-
choorker, a gentleman who at one time seems to have taken an in-
terest in the welfare of the institution.
I do not consider Mr. Wittoo Ramjee a fit person to be trusted
with so important a charge. His annual report shows that his pro-
fessional knowledge is scanty, and he has not had that training in
one of our civil hospitals or the Grant College, which a man requires.
before he is likely to be competent to undertake the duties of a
dispensary.
Point—Nasik Collectorate.
This is one of the dispensaries supported by the Point State. It
was opened so far back as 1864, and at first appears to have been a
complete success, but of late years a falling off in the daily attend
-ance, and the actual total treated has taken place—a circumstance, I
am inclined to believe, owing to the want of zeal and attention to his
duties on the part of the Hospital Assistant. As this individual has
been removed elsewhere, hopes are entertained that it will now
prosper.
The small town of Peint is surrounded by jungle, and has the re-
putation of being an unhealthy one, the people suffering more espe
-cially from malarious fever.
The return for the last twelve months, however, does not bear out
this idea. For, out of 789 persons treated, only 160 were cases of
fever of the intermittent type. My opinion is that the climate is
more inimical to the health of Europeans, and that they suffer more
from its influence than the natives do.
187
The table appended to this report will give a fair index of the
working of this dispensary. On the whole it cannot be said to be a
success, but now that a new Hospital Assistant has been appointed,
and that under the new rules it is placed under the immediate supervi-
sion of the Civil Surgeon at Nasik, I anticipate next year's return
will show great improvement.
This dispensary, as before mentioned, is entirely supported by the
P eint State through the Collector and Magistrate of Nasik.
The following table shows the total number of patients treated,
the daily average number of attendance, and the number of deaths in
each year :—
Y e a r .
Total Number
of Sick treated
in each year.
Daily average
Number of
Attendance in
each year.
Total Number
of Deaths in
each year.
1864
586
21.2
1
1865
956
18'8
3
1866
955
18.6
1
1867
1,198
18.3
. . .
1868
854
11.2
2
1869
857
12.3
. . .
1870
734
10.8
. . .
1871-72
789
10.2
3
Poona, 23rd June 1872.
G. G. MAITLAND,
Deputy Inspector General, P.D.
ANNUAL REPORT.
OF THE
CIVIL, POLICE, AND JAIL HOSPITALS AND DISPENSARIES
IN THE
NORTHEN DIVISION OF THE ARMY,
FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31ST MARCH 1872.
Ahmadabad, 1st April 1872.
My summary of the medical reports from Civil Department in the
districts under my supervision refer, with the exception of the one
dispensary at Mhow, exclusively to establishments in the Northern
Division, which are as follows
:—
Ahmadabad Collectorate.
Within city limits there is the civil hospital called also Hutteesing
and Premabhoy Hospital and Dispensary. The Beechurdass and the
Raipur Dispensary, endowed dispensaries.
The Sudder jail and a subsidiary jail, and the lunatic asylum, and
in the Zillah eight dispensaries, also a Police hospital.
Kaira Collectorate.
At the Sudder Station a civil hospital and dispensary, jail and a
Police hospital, and in the Zillah six dispensaries.
B r o a c h C o l l e c t o r a t e .
One dispensary at Jambusar.
Panch Mahals.
At Godhra a dispensary under the charge of a Sub-Assistant
Surgeon. Dohad, a jail, a hospital and dispensary for civil patients,
and the Police corps.
Kattywar.
At the chief military station, Rajkot, there is a civil hospital and
dispensary, also a jail, but in the province most of the chiefs have
established dispensaries at their capitals. These I have not visited,
as they are particularly jealous of any interference.
Kutch.
At Bhuj, the capital, there is an excellent hospital and dispen
-sary supported by the Rao ; it is an institution of long standing, very
24 M D
190
well conducted under the charge of a Graduate of Grant Medical
College. Returns are sent through me to the Inspector General. A
dispensary has also been established at Mandvi.
I have visited all these establishments except Dohad and Godhra.
Ahmadabad.
Lunatic Asylum.
Of the public charities at Ahmadabad, I think that the lunatic
asylum holds the first place for completeness
and efficiency. It is the only asylum with-
in a radius of 300 miles. Since the last report the additions to the
north wing have been completed, giving an addition of 12 cells. One
hundred patients can now be accommodated. There being 57 cells on
the separate system, and the females, of whom there are 17 inmates
are completely shut off from the rest of the establishment. Of the
criminal lunatics, 19 in number, all are males, and with them the
type of insanity is usually acute mania.
The occupations of the women are chiefly spinning, the men are
employed in the excellent garden, where they work well and cheer-
fully. The average number so employed has been 51, and the value
of earnings of each 10 rupees 14 annas. The cost of each patient
is estimated at 98 rupees without deduction of value of labour.
No physical restraint has been found necessary. Only strict super-
vision and sometimes separation.
At the commencement of the year there were present 90 patients:
Admitted
26
Died
8
Discharged well
15
Given over to charge of friends
12
Remaining
84
I can add nothing to Dr. Wyllie's report, but, considering the in-
creased number of inmates, and for the reasons urged by Dr. Wyllie,
I would certainly recommend that the establiment should be increased
as suggested
The present establishment is-
1 Female-keeper,
1 Bheestie.
1 Sweeper.
1 Male-keeper.
6 6 War der s .
1 Dhobi e.
1 Cook.
One cook additional is required.
1 Sweeper and 3 Warders.
CIVIL HOSPITALS.
I have treated as civil hospitals, the hospitals at Ahmadabad,
Rajkot, Bhuj, and Kaira; for, in truth, Dohad and Sadra are only dis-
pensaries with a small ward for in-patients, and Kaira might be classed
in the same category until the new hospital has been completed,
191
Ahmadabad.
The civil hospital is a well-built well-adapted and sightly build-
ing, with good out-houses and a large compound situated in a cen-
tral part of the town in a tolerably open space ; it has room for 90
patients, but considering that the population of the town is 105,000,
and that 50 per cent. of the patients are from other parts of the country,
the accommodation is quite insufficient ; as it is, 40 patients, chiefly
lepers, paralytics, cases of small-pox, &c., are lodged and well cared
for in a range of buildings outside the town within an extensive
walled enclosure.
The civil hospital can be enlarged, either by adding an upper
storey, or by building fresh wards on the ground-floor ; there is
space within the compound.
The Beechurdass Dispensary has room for 6 in-patients, these are
chiefly cases requiring surgical operations, and I have included these
operations in the return of civil hospitals.
The total cases treated in Ahmadabad
Hospital
2,171
Died
121
Daily average Sick
142
Deaths to Treated
5.6
There were 23 cases of amputation ; of these were
Capital, 14
2 died.
Cases of lithotomy, 6
2
„
Cases of lithotrity, 2
1
„
There were numerous cases of excision of bone in cases of mycetoma.
A case of elephantiasis scroti was successfully treated : a mass
weighing 20 pounds removed, the scapula was removed for osteo
sarcoma, the head of the humerus for caries.
3 cases of operation for restoration of nose.
In the treatment of ague the hypodermic injection of quinine
was greatly used with success.
At the Beechurdass Dispensary there were 5 cases of amputation;
4 for mycetoma, 2 died ; cases of lithotomy 5.
Bajkot.
There is a well-constructed building, capable of accommodating 40
patients, but I do not think that it is equal in style or accommodation
as to numbers to what might be expected in the only hospital in a
large and wealthy province, and I propose to communicate with
the Political Agent, suggesting the advisability of the several
Chiefs being asked to subscribe annually to the expenses of the
hospital and towards its enlargement and improvement. I was
informed that want of funds limited the number of patients. There
is one other feature as regards this hospital, which, I think, should be
altered; the Civil Surgeon is absent a great part of the year, when the
192
charge devolves upon the Regimental Surgeon, who may or may
not be a man zealous and fond of operative surgery.
The total treated was
538
Died
43
36
Deaths to Treated
7
There were 13 capital amputations,
chiefly for mycetoma
5 Died.
Lithotomy cured, 35
2 "
Besides several important operations.
Ligature of subclavian for aneurism Successful.
Radical cure for hernia
"
2 cases of ovaristoiny
1 f a t a l , 1 "
Several cases of Holt's operation for
stricture
1 fatal.
At Rajkot the lepers are kept in a hospital under supervision of
the Political Agent and the Civil Surgeon. No returns are sent.
Kaira.
There have been but few patients treated during the past
year; this, I think, is in consequence of the imperfect accommodation
the hospital affords; but it will improve, I hope, when the now
hospital is built—at present is a dispensary.
Number of patients treated was
125
Died
13
A v e r a g e S i c k
4
Deaths to treated
10
This comparatively excessive death rate is due to the fact, that
persons known to be in a dying state are brought either by the
Police or their friends as a last resource to the hospital.
The hospital is a commodious, airy building, capable of accommo
-dating 18 patients, and there are accessory building, in which some
other 8 or 10 cases of low-caste people are treated.
In-Patients.
The total treated was
283
Died
11
Daily average Sick
24.2
Deaths to treated
8.9
There were 3 amputations, no death.
Lithotomy
22 2 deaths.
Cases of removal of calculus from female
by dilatation
6
Besides many minor operations, I saw a very successful case of
restoration of the nose. The nose had been cut off in revenge, the new
193
flap was taken from the forehead. To summarise the cases treated
in civil hospitals in this division—
There were cases of capital ampu
-tation
35
9 died.
Lithotomy
68
6
"
Dilation of female urethra and
removal of calcula
6
...
"
Lithotrity
2
1
"
111
16
"
Besides a vast number of minor operations, relieving an immense
amount of suffering and several special cases.
Two cases of ovariotomy at Rajkot
1 fatal.
Ligature of subclavian for aneurism
Successful.
Removal of tumor elephantiasis scroti
"
Head of humerus caries
"
Of scapula for ostlo sarcoma
Fatal.
Radical cure of hernia
Successful.
Several rhinoplastic operations.
I add a list of the total of the most diseases treated—
There were ague
370
4
died.
Remittent fever
72
22
"
P h t h i s i s
31
9
"
Primary and secondary syphilis 305
7
"
Leprosy
105
7
"
Diseases of lungs
93
6
"
Bronchial affections D y s e n t e r y
77
13
"
Diarrhœa
46
10
"
Diseases of liver
47
5
"
Bright's disease
22
10
"
Guinea-worm
36
2
"
There were no admissions from cholera, and only a few cases of small-pox.
The total treated in the civil hospitals in
the division was
3,117
Daily average Sick
206
Died
188
Deaths to treated
6 per cent.
JAILS.
There are five jails in the division, two at Ahmadabad and 3 second
class jails at Kaira, Rajkot, and Dohad. They all have good hospi-
-tal accommodation, and the dry-earth system of conservancy is care--
fully and effectually carried out.
At Ahmadabad, the Sudder jail, situated in the city, is a 1st class
jail, strong and well-built, is capable of holding 308 prisoners; disci
-
194
pline is well maintained, and several trades taught. At Dhuliakot
the subsidiary jail is a large, well ventilated building, receiving
more than 400 prisoners; both have well cultivated gardens
attached, supplying an ample stock of vegetables.
The jails at Rajkot, Kaira, and Dohad are much smaller; Kaira
holding 100 prisoners, Rajkot 87, at 648 cubic feet to each individual.
There have been no epidemics during the year, and no sickness
calling for any special remark.
The strength has been
1,110
Total treated
1 , 0 1 6
Died
19
Daily average
20
Treated to strength
91.5
Died to strength
1 . 7
Died to treated
1 . 8
The rate of sickness and mortality in each jail was:—
S t r e n g t h .
T r e a t e d .
D i e d .
D a i l y a v e r a g e S i c k .
D i e d t o S t r e n g t h .
D i e d t o T r e a t - e d .
Ahmadabad
359
225
8
3.8
2.2
3.5
Dhuliakot
401
349
1
9.8
0.2
0.2
Dohad
157
168
6
6.0
3.8
3.5
Kaira
119
218
4
6.3
3.3
1.8
Rajkot
74
5 6
. . .
1.0
...
. . .
POLICE.
There are three Police Corps—
The Ahmadabad Mounted and Foot, Strength
506
Kaira Mounted and Foot, Strength
749
Dohad Foot, Strength
506
Both at Ahmadabad and Kaira the police are treated in hospitals
in their own lines; but it is hoped that when the civil hospital at
Ahmadabad is enlarged, and the new hospital at Kaira completed, the
police will be treated in the civil hospital, causing a saving in estab
- l i s h m e n t s .
With the exception of the men at Dohad, the health of the police
has been very good and the death rate small; but at Dohad the
death rate was high, consequent on the severity of the fever that
attacks the men there. There were 5 deaths from ague and its conse
- q u e n c e s , 3 f r o m p n e u m o n i a , 2 f r o m a s t h m a , a l l a t D o h a d .
There were 2 deaths in the Ahmadabad Corps.
Do. 2 do. in the Kaira Corps.