18
REPORT ON THE
41. Operations.— There were in all 3,478 operations performed on 1,117
patients. The disproportion is explained by
the frequent passing of catheters in the
same individual; this happened 2, 861 times
on 500 patients. In a special hospital like
the Eden, a routine proceeding of this nature
might be omitted from the category of opera
-tions with advantage. The marginal table
contains a record of some of the important
operations performed during the year 1896.
In eight cases, ovariotomy was successfully
carried out without a death, and the results of abdominal surgery generally
were more favourable than those of the previous year. During the absence,
on furlough, for seven months of Brigade-Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel C. H.
Joubert, Surgeon-Major A. Leahy officiated as Obstetric Physician, and during
the year a special Assistant Surgeon was appointed as House Surgeon of the
Hospital, replacing the fifth-year student designated as "Goodeve scholar,"
whose residence and duties in the Eden Hospital were found to interfere too
much with his other duties.
The Obstetric Physician brings to notice, and urges strongly, the necessity
for separate washing arrangements for the linen of this hospital.
42.
Ophthalmic Department, or Shama Churn Law Eye Hospital, is also
a section of the Medical College Hospital, near which it stands. The general
statistics of the hospital are given in the statements in the appendix. The
number of in-patients admitted during 1896 was 477, and of out-patients
13,206, as against 452 and 13,725 in 1895. The diminution in the out-
patients, as shown by the figures, is said to have been caused by a neglect to
enter attendance in the register on Sundays. The daily average attendance
was larger, viz., 161.34 instead of 148.57, and the number of operations was
597, against 470 in 1895. The number of cataract cases treated was larger
than in the previous year, numbering in all 347, and the percentage of success
following operation was 80.40.
43. The Ezra Hospital, intended for the benefit of the Jewish portion of
the community, is another annexe to the Medical College Hospital. The
general statistics showing its working will be found in the appendix. The
number of in-patients was 205 last year, as against 199 in 1895, and the daily
average sick 13.92 as compared with 13.20. The out-door patients numbered
1,611 instead of 1,624, and the daily attendance was 10.1 instead of 8.90.
The number of operations was 11, while in 1895 it was 108, and the decrease
is explained by a large falling off in the minor operations performed.
44. Nursing and Nursing Staff.— The Principal of the Medical College
reports that the nursing was fairly good. The establishment consists of one
Sister Superintendent, one matron, 13 senior nurses, 17 junior nurses and
probationers, and two nurses for the contagious disease and cholera wards.
Excluding absentees on leave or sick, and also the Sister and matron, the average
number constantly in attendance was 29.
45. At the Eden Hospital there were one sister, one matron, who was
changed during the year, three ward nurses, one of whom resigned because of
illness, one surgical nurse, who was changed twice, and three dhais. The
Obstetric Physician alludes to the difficulties in nursing and teaching of pupils
caused by frequent alterations in the permanent staff. The whole question of
nursing arrangements is under consideration. The average number of nurses
employed in the Presidency General Hospital was 28. The Superintendent
reports that though not equal to the English standard, the nursing was fairly
efficient, and that it is now improving under the superintendence of the Sisters
newly appointed, who have been trained at home.
46. The Superintendents of the Campbell and Howrah Hospitals report
favourably on the nursing in those institutions, and Dr. Leahy states that at the
South Suburban Hospital the system of employing native female nurses has so
far, on the whole, proved satisfactory.
47. During the year 43 pupils were under instruction at the Eden
Hospital, viz., 32 Civil and 11 Military. Of the former 13 passed their Examina-
tions, 7 of them with credit, and of the latter 5 passed—4 with Credit.
Application of forceps
54
Version
14
Embryotomy
11
Porro's operation
2
Abdominal section
6
Ditto for ventral hernia
1
Ovariotomy
8
Oophorectomy
1
Removal of fallopian tubes
7
Hysterectomy for fibroid
5
Ditto (abdominal) for cancer
1
Ditto (vaginal) for cancer
1