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Lieutenat-Governor in paragraph 9 of the Resolution on the report for the
year 1893, that all leprosy cases in Calcutta will be accommodated in the
Leper Asylum, will be realised as soon as the Bill recently passed by the Bengal
Council receives the assent of the Viceroy. Out of the 20 cases of enteric
fever reported, 17 of the patients were Europeans, of whom six died. The
admissions from remittent fever show a little diminution, the figures being 918
against 1,184, but the percentage of deaths was higher than in the previous
year.
10. The total number of major operations increased from 3,339 to 3,643,
and the minor operations fom 19,001 to 24,988. Out of the increase (304) in
major operations, 125 is accounted for by the opening of a special department
at the Medical College for the treatment of diseases of the throat, ear and nose.
Death ensued in 129 cases, giving a percentage of 3.4, against 3.15 in the
previous year. The largest number of operations was performed at the Medical
College Hospital, where the death-rate was 3.44 against 4.05. The figures for
the Campbell Hospital show a reduction of 33 cases. A separate surgical ward
has been opened since the close of the year, and this hospital, which is also the
chief vernacular medical school in Bengal, will now carry on its surgical work
under more favourable conditions. At the Dufferin Victoria Hospital, 30 major
operations were performed, against 12 in 1893, out of which one terminated
fatally.
11. In the Eden Hospital, 1,462 women and children were treated, against
1,367 in 1893. Of these, 718 were Europeans, 600 Hindus and Muhammadans,
and 144 belonged to other classes. The death-rate among Europeans fell from
8.40 to 5.48 per cent., the rate among Hindus and Muhammadans increased from
8.42 to 10.59, while the percentage among other classes fell from 12.02 to 6.80.
The number of confinement cases rose from 573 to 618, of which 23 terminated
fatally. The number of cases of septicæmia fell from 31 to 23, but unhappily
14 of these originated within the hospital. The special ward for the treatment
of these cases has now been completed, and it is hoped that this will bring
about better results. In this hospital, 392 major operations were performed
with 26 deaths, against 337 with 31 deaths in 1893. The outdoor department
is conducted on alternate days by the Resident Surgeon and by Mrs. Kadambini
Ganguli, a former student of the Calcutta Medical College, who volunteered to
take charge of the ward. The female students of the Campbell Hospital receive
practical training under her direction. The number of patients rose from 3,535
to 3,990, and the ward seems to be gaining in popularity.
12. The increase in the number of indoor patients treated during the
year in the Shama Charan Law Eye Infirmary was nominal, while the number
of outdoor patients rose from 11,079 to 11,944. As usual, most of the opera-
tions were cases of extraction of the lens. Vision was restored in 75.07 per
cent., and 8.30 per cent. were relieved.
13. In the Ezra Hospital, where for the most part patients of the Jewish
persuasion are treated, 287 in-patients were admitted, of whom 7 died. The
number of outdoor patients was less by 264 than in the previous year. Of the
total expenditure, Rs. 6,600-14, for the maintenance of the hospital, Rs. 5,724.14,
or 86.72 per cent., was borne by Government.
14. The Lieutenant-Governor observes with pleasure that the work done
by trained nurses at the Medical College and the General and Eden Hospitals,
assisted at the latter institution by pupil nurses and dhais, is well spoken of by
the medical officers concerned. Certain District Boards are reported to have
sent two pupil midwives to receive their training in the Eden Hospital, and the
Lieutenant-Governor hopes that their example will be followed by others.
Eighteen pupil nurses and fourteen dhais passed out of the Eden Hospital
during the year. The nursing arrangements at the Campbell Hospital are now
under consideration with reference to certain proposals made by the Committee
appointed to report on the training and position of Civil Hospital Assistants.
15. The invested capital of the hospitals in Calcutta and Howrah increased
from Rs. 5,87,000 to Rs. 5,93,300, the increase being at the Medical College
and the Howrah General Hospitals. The following statement compares the
main heads of receipts and expenditure of all these institutions for the last two
years :—