2
REPORT ON THE
Cholera and small-pox are dependent on meteorological conditions, but the
increase in the deaths from bowel-complaints and fevers is surprising unless it
is due to greater accuracy in registration, for the heavy and prolonged rains of
1893 (88.75 inches) seemed to account for the unusual prevalence of these
diseases in that year, while the diminished rainfall of 1894 (54.12 inches) made
me anticipate a decrease in 1894.
3. Numbers treated .—The number of out-patients treated at all the institu-
tions was 264,041 as compared with 252,059 in 1893, an increase of 11,982.
Three hundred and three of this increase is due to the opening of an
out-patient department for Europeans and Eurasians at the Presidency General
Hospital, 475 to the opening of a new department for diseases of the throat,
ear, and nose at the Medical College Hospital, and the remainder possibly
to the prevalence of disease, although, as will be seen presently, the number of
in-patients has somewhat fallen off. The Medical College has an increase of
3,815, partly at least owing to better accommodation in the out-patient depart-
ment, The Presidency General Hospital, 303, appear for the first time. The
new department meets an undoubted want, as patients from Hastings, Alipore,
and Bhawanipur were put to serious inconvenience by having to go to the
distant Medical College Hospital. I expected that the attendance would have
been considerably large. That it has not been so is mainly due to the fact that
only those who are too poor to pay for advice and medicine are relieved. The
Campbell Hospital, again, shows a considerable increase, 2,610, ascribed by the
Superintendent to the increasing popularity of the out-patient department, which
was only started in 1892. The Mayo had 232 more, the Chandney 407, Park
Street Dispensary 2,828, Chitpur 20, Sukea's Street Dispensary 296,
B h a w a n i - p u r 4 1 9 , t h e D u f f e r i n 2 7 7 , a n d H o w r a h 7 7 5 . T h e r e i s t h u s a n i n c r e a s e
everywhere, although in most cases it is trifling. Variations are to be expected
from year to year, and many factors act and re-act on the figures. Meteorological
and climatic conditions, convenience of access, the necessity or otherwise for
repairs, to say nothing of the personal influence of the medical officer, and the
confidence or want of confidence with which he is regarded, all influence the
returns, and it is often difficult to assign any valid reason even for considerable
variations. A systematic effort has been made to prevent the abuse of the
out-patient departments by persons able to pay by laying down a certain limit
as entitling the recipient to free advice and medicine, another to advice only,
while others are refused relief except such temporary assistance as may be
necessary in urgent cases. The rule seems to have worked satisfactorily in
the Presidency General and Campbell Hospitals. At the Mayo Hospital the
Superintendent reports that the rule had no practical effect, as very few
Europeans or Eurasians resorted to that hospital for treament. The Principal,
Medical College, reports that the rule was worked with difficulty owing to
the natural reluctance of officers to question sick people about their incomes.
4. Indoor patients numbered 24,912 as compared with 26,058, a decrease
Plus. Minus.
Medical College Hospital
Presidency General Hospital
...
...
19
32
...
Police
Hospital
•••
..•
101
Campbell
„
...
..•
944
Mayo
,,
Chandney
••.
•••
•••
14
•••
95
Dufferin Victoria Hospital
...
149
...
Howrah General Hospital
•••
•••
128
168
1,314
=- 1,146
1,146
of 1,146. The details are given in the
margin. The daily average number was
1,281.36 as compared with 1,338.38, a
decrease of 57.02. This seems curious.
in view of the greater registered morta-
lity and supposed greater unhealthiness
of the year. The increase at the Medi-
cal College is again nominal, and the
Presidency General Hospital would pro-
bably have shown an increase but that
certain wards had to be closed for a time during the quadrennial repairs. The
daily average number of patients was 15.09, higher than in 1893. The decrease
at the Police and Campbell Hospitals is attributed to more favourable climatic
conditions, especially during the last three months, compared with 1893, which
was a year of rainfall, unusually trying weather, and high prices of food. The
fall at the Mayo is nominal. That of 95 at the Chandney is due to the
hospital having, been under repair for three months, and that at Howrah to a
similar reason. The increase at the Dufferin Victoria Hospital from 155 to