18
REPORT ON THE
There was a large increase in the number of patients treated for enteric
fever, there having been 59 cases against 37 in 1899. Of the 59, 45 were
Europeans, 10 Eurasians, and 4 “Other classes.” At the Medical College
Hospital one European was admitted, who died. There were 4 Eurasians, two
of whom died.
Thirty-nine Europeans were treated in the Presidency General Hospital,
5 of whom died, and in 2 fatal cases the diagnosis was verified by post-mortem
examination. Three Eurasians were treated without a death. The large
increase in cases of enteric fever in this hospital, as compared with the previous
year, was chiefly due to the arrival in port of the S.S. Fort Salisbury,
with the main portion of its crew stricken with this disease. The death-rate
(11.90 per cent. against 28 per cent. in 1899) is highly satisfactory. The
Superintendent says it would probably have been even less, had not many of
those admitted from the S.S. Fort Salisbury walked about during the first ten
days before admission. No death occurred among the 20 cases admitted in the
private rooms, though many had serious complications. This result speaks
volumes for the nursing and care which they received. Five Europeans and
three Eurasians were admitted into the Howrah General Hospital against two
Europeans in 1899. The Superintendent cannot assign any reason for this
increase. The disease, he says, chiefly occurred among young officers of the
British India Steam Navigation Company. There was 1 death or 12.5 per
c e n t . a g a i n s t 2 a n d 1 0 0 p e r c e n t . i n 1 8 9 9 . T h e n u m b e r s t r e a t e d a r e s o s m a l l
that no inference can be drawn from them. The solitary death in 1900
occurred among Europeans.
The 4 cases of other classes were treated in the Medical College Hospital,
3 of whom died, and in two latter the diagnosis was confirmed by post-mortem
examination.
37. The usual table showing the prevalence of the disease amongst the
British troops in the Presidency district is given below :—
Statement showing the number of men admitted into the Military Hospitals and who died from
enteric fever in the years 1899 and 1900.
CALCUTTA.
BARRACKPORE.
D U M - D U M .
JALLAPAHAR.
LEBONG
1899.
1900.
1899.
1990.
1899. 1900.
1899.
1 8 0 0 .
1899. 1900.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7 7
8
9
10
11
Average strength of all ranks...
...
...
1,098
1,104
330
306
583
702
312
333
290
279
Number of admissions from enteric fever
. . .
4
2
6
4
6
8
2
1
Nil None
Number of deaths frcm enteric fever
...
1
1
None
2
3
6
None
Nil
Nil
None
38.
Remittent fever—Was more numerous, there having been 761 cases
against 6.7 in 1899, an increase of 144. The Campbell Hospital had 391 cases
against 255 in 1899. The Superintendent says the disease was particularly
prevalent during the latter part of the year. The percentage of deaths was
less, viz., 25.75 against 29.98 in 1899.
39.
Oerebro-spiral fiver— Gave a larger number of admissions than in the
previous year, viz., 68 against 7 in 1899. Thirty cases were admitted into the
Campbell Hospital with 24 deaths, and in 21 of the fatal cases post-mortem
examination was performed which supported the diagnosis. The Superinten--
dent states that most of the cases were received from the cooly depôts in
Garden Reach, and the patients were admitted at irregular intervals through-
- o u t t h e y e a r . T h e r e w e r e 2 5 c a s e s i n t h e S a m b h u N a t h P a n d i t H o s p i t a l , 1 9 o f
which were fatal. In all the fatal cases autopsies were performed which
verified the diagnosis. The patients were received from the cooly depôts
referred to above. Twelve patients (natives) were treated in the Medical
College Hospital, 10 of whom succumbed and in 6 of the fatal cases the
diagnosis was verified by post-mortem examination. There was 1 case at the
Mayo Hospital; the patient recovered. The prevalence of cerebro-spinal fever
in the cooly depôts and in the General Hospitals and Jails has formed the
subject of special enquiry and report.
40. Surgical operat ions.—The total number of operations was 26,023
against 25,109 in 1899, an increase of 914. The number of patients on
w h o m t h e 2 6 , 0 2 3 o p e r a t i o n s w e r e p e r f o r m e d w a s 2 5 , 6 8 3 , t h e n u m b e r o f