26
REPORT ON THE
as compared with 1897. The Principal of the Medical College cannot assign
any reason for it. The daily average number also increased from 9.63 in 1897
to 12.47 in 1898. Outdoor patients were seen in the Chuni Lal Seal's
Dispensary. This arrangement was introduced in 1897, as stated in para-
graph 3 of my last year's report. There were 18 operations, against 23 in 1897.
61. Nursing and Nursing Staff. —The Principal of the Medical College
reports that during the year under report the nursing was good. The staff
consisted of 1 Sister Superintendent, 1 matron, 20 senior nurses, 8 junior nurses
and probationers and 2 nurses for the contagious disease and cholera wards.
The average number of nurses employed during the year was 29.
62. At the Ezra Hospital there was only one nurse, and the Principal says
the nursing was as good as could be expected from one person, but two
women at least are required. The nursing at the Eye Hospital is reported to
have been good, but there are not enough nurses.
63. The establishment at the Eden Hospital was composed of 1 sister, I
matron, 4 ward nurses, and 1 surgical nurse and four dhais including 1 surgical
dhai. As regards the efficiency of the nursing the Obstetric Physician writes:—
"I am happy to be able to report a marked improvement in the nursing
during the past year under the able supervision of a very competent Clewer
Sister with large hospital experience in England. There have been fewer of the
changes amongst the permanent staff nurses, which, in past years, led to so
much inefficiency in the nursing of the patients."
64. The Superintendent of the Presidency General Hospital reports that
the nurses performed their duties as well as in previous years. During the year
under report, a room in the nurses' quarters, which was hitherto used as a
godown, was liberated by the Surgeon-Superintendent and added to the accom-
modation available for nurses. Twenty-nine nurses were always on the
strength of the staff throughout the year, but the daily average number actually
employed, including extra temporary nurses, was 24.33.
65. At the Howrah General Hospital there are two nurses for European
wards and one for the native female ward. The Superintendent states that, as
they have to do all the work day and night, nursing in the strictest sense of the
term cannot be performed. The presence of the nurses no doubt. he says, adds
much to the comfort of the sick. The nursing in the Sambhu Nath Pandit
and Campbell Hospitals is also favourably mentioned by the Superintendents,
but is capable of improvement by adding to the staff.
The question of improving the nursing arrangements in all the Calcutta
medical institutions is under consideration, and a report on the subject will be
separately submitted to Government.
66. At the Eden Hospital 47 pupils were under instruction during 1898,
viz., 41 Civil and six Military. Of the former, 16 passed the examin-
ation, 2 with credit. Of the latter, 2 passed. Thirty-two dhais were under train-
ing, of whom 8 passed, 3 with credit.
67. Finance.—The total income of all the institutions was Rs. 10,20,486-6-5
as detailed below :—
Rs. A. P.
(a) Balance on 1st January ...
. . .
. . .
29,805 11 5
( b) Contribution from Government
. . .
...
7,79,524 12 3
(c) From local and municipal funds, interest on invest-
ments, subscriptions, &c.
. . .
...
2,11,155 14 9
10,20,486 6 5
68. The total expenditure was :—
Cost of establishment, medicines, diet, repairs and main-
9,88,692 6 11
tenance ...
. . .
. . .
. . .
Invested during the year
. . .
...
. . .
3,500 0 0
9,92,192 6 11
Cash balance on 31st December
...
...
28,293 15 6
10,20,486 6 5