20
REPORT ON THE
restored, 10.34 per cent. more were partially relieved, while the remainder,
though no better, were no worse than they were. It must be remembered
that in Europe a cataract is never operated on till fully ripe. In India, unless
a patient is operated on at once, he will not remain in hospital, so that no
preparation is possible, and cases have to be taken as they come. If excellent
hygienic surroundings and perfect operative skill were the sole factors, the
percentage of cures should equal the operations.
30. The Chandney Hospital—returns 28 major operations, but a successful
amputation of the arm is the only one requiring mention. There was no death.
31. The Park Street, Sukea Street, Bhawanipur, and Chitpur Dispensaries
treat only out-patients, and send any important surgical cases which may apply
for relief to other hospitals. They had 97 "major" operations between them
without a death.
32. The Dufferin Victoria Hospital—had 12 major operations, including 2
successful cases of vesico-vaginal fistula, than which there are few more difficult
operations, 3 cases of perineorraphy, 2 of removal of uterine cancer with the
curette, and 4 of removing retained placenta or other products of conception.
The hospital, intended primarily for parda-nashin women, is surrounded on all
sides by public roads; the noise of traffic is so great as to make the use of the
stethoscope all but impossible, and the zanana rooms are overlooked by high
buildings on the opposite side of the way. The situation is a hopelessly bad
one, the work done in the hospital is in no way commensurate to the cost, and
I do not think success is possible under present conditions. The present
hospital should be sold, and a new one on a much more modest scale built in a
more suitable situation. Nine-tenths of the cases now treated would have no
scruple in going to the Eden Hospital, and the money set free would enable
aid to be given where it is really required—in the mufassal.
33. The Howrah General Hospital— returns show 116 major operations
against 230 in 1892, but the numbers in 1892 were swollen by a large number
of operations on the eye performed by Surgeon-Major R. D. Murray, who has a
special reputation as an Ophthalmic Surgeon. There were 27 cases of extraction
of the lens for cataract, 10 operations for the removal of diseased lymphatic
glands, and 15 amputations. The mortality was practically nil, .81 per cent.,
and the only death was after the opening of a liver abscess, described as a
hopeless case from the first.
34. In all the institutions the whole of the surgical staff take their share
of the operative work, and the results are highly creditable to all concerned.
It must not be forgotten, however, that sick humanity requires the services of
the physician much more frequently than that of the surgeon, and that though
less striking to the imagination, the work of the physician is the more important
of the two. Much most excellent work has been done by the physicians at all
the institutions, and they deserve as much credit as the surgeons.
35. The returns of the Medical College Hospital include the work of its
special departments and annexes, but in accordance with custom these are now
considered in detail.
36. Dental Department.—Mr. Woods was absent on leave from 7th
March to 31st October, during which time Mr. Ranger acted for him as Dental
Surgeon. The number of patients treated was 2,468, and of operations performed
Men. Women. Children. Total.
Europeans
. . .
390
188
117
695
Eurasians
. . .
287
281
232
800
Hindus
. . .
448
79
58
585
Muhammadans
237
40
14
291
Other classes
. . .
41
39
17
97
Total
. . . 1,403
627
438
2,468
2,740, against 2,362 and 2,744 in
1892. Particulars as to nationality,
religion, sex, &c., are given in the
margin. The operations included
2,070 extractions, 219 fillings of
teeth, and 451 miscellaneous oper-
ations, as compared with 2,054,
206, and4 8 4 r e s p e c t i v e l y i n 1 8 9 2 .
All these are classed as "minor" operations, though many of them require much
very delicate manipulation. The accommodation for the Dental Department
is very cramped, and great difficulties are experienced in accommodating the
students. The military class has now to take dental surgery as a compulsory
subject, and better accommodation is very urgently needed.