2
REPORT ON THE
Calcutta, about the same in Howrah, and a good deal higher in the Suburbs.
The increase in bowel-complaints and fever was no doubt due to the heavy and
prolonged rainfall of the year, and this would naturally affect the Suburbs more
than the town. In the former the water lodges and the soil becomes sodden;
in the latter it is largely carried off by the sewers. The increased deaths in
the suburban area from fever and bowel-complaints more than account for
the increase in mortality. The hospital and dispensary figures coincide generally
with these results.
3. Numbers treated. —The number of out-patients treated at all the institu-
tions was 252,059 as compared with 226,772 in 1892, an increase of 25,287.
The daily average attendance was 1,826 against 1,671, an increase
of 155. The inclusion for the first time of the Dufferin Victoria Hospital
returns accounts for 8,758 of this increase; the Campbell Hospital at Sealdah
has an increase of 11,096, the Mayo Hospital of 2,234, the Park Street Dispen-
sary of 302, Chitpur Dispensary 2,762, Sukea's Street Dispensary 905, Bhawan-
ipur 550. Howrah has a small decrease of 159, the Medical College of 569,
and the Chandney Hospital of 592. The out-patient department at the Campbell
Hospital was opened in January 1892, and the large increase is due partly to
the increased prevalence of fevers and bowel-complaints mentioned above, partly
to its existence being more widely known, and to the skill and attention of
Mr. Brittain, the apothecary of the hospital under whose charge it is. The
increase at Chitpur is attributed to the heavy prolonged rains causing a greater
number of fever cases, and this cause probably accounts for the increase else-
where. The decrease at the Medical College Hospital is small. A large decrease
was expected owing to the out-patient department at the Campbell Hospital
drawing away many who formerly would have attended at the College Hospital.
This has not happened, however, for the native out-patients show a small increase.
The fall is in the attendance of Europeans, and this was due to the out-patient
department being accommodated in a temporary shed during the alterations
to Chuni Lal Seal's Dispensary. At Howrah the falling off is nominal, and the
numbers treated have varied within very narrow limits during the last eight
years. The decrease at the Chandney Hospital is more apparent than real, the
returns of 1892 having been abnormally swollen by a severe epidemic of
influenza. The large increase of 16,529, exclusive of the Dufferin Hospital
figures, may, I think, be taken as an indication that the institutions are working
well and are appreciated by the people.
4. Indoor patients —numbered 26,058 against 25,211 in 1892, an increase
of 847 including 155 treated in the
Dufferin Victoria Hospital; excluding
these, it is 692. The daily average
number was 1,338.38 as compared
with 1,276.29, an increase of 62.09.
The details are as shown in the mar-
gin. The decrease at the Medical
College Hospital is nominal and calls
for no remark; that at the Presidency
General Hospital is accounted for
by more normal conditions in the population of the Port of Calcutta.
In 1892 an unusually large number of ships caused an increase of 570 in-patients
over the figures of 1891, and those of the present year are larger by 135 than in
1891. This may also explain the falling off at Howrah, which the Civil
Surgeon does not account for. It was chiefly among Europeans; Hindus showed
an increase.
The increase at the Police Hospital was entirely due to disease induced by
exposure to unusually inclement weather and to high prices of food. The health
of the force was so seriously impaired during the rainy months that a special
allowance was asked for to permit the men to obtain better supplies of food.
Most of them come from Bihar or the Upper Provinces, and they are very apt
to stint themselves in order to send money to their families. In an unhealthy
season this diminishes their power of resistance to disease. The increase
at the Campbell Hospital is attributed by the Superintendent to climatic
causes and high prices, which tell chiefly on the poorer classes; that at the
Plus. Minus.
Medical College Hospital
. . .
. . .
29
Presidency General Hospital
. . .
. . .
435
Police Hospital . . .
. . .
361
. . .
Campbell „
. . .
. . .
833
. . .
Mayo ,,
...
...
114
...
Chandney „
. . . ...
12
...
Dufferin Victoria Hospital
...
155
...
Howrah ,,
...
...
164
1,475
628
= + 847