14

REPORT ON THE

Dr. Charles' report sets forth the progress of the experiment up to the close of 1871. Ten
women had been received for training: three of these were removed for immorality; one for
disobedience of orders; one ceased attending; one was withdrawn by her friends; one pro-
mised well, and the remaining three underwent a satisfactory examination on the subject of
natural labor. Dr. Charles places some strong remarks on record regarding the three unfor-
tunate women who appear to have gone astray; but from the first the intention has been to
attempt to render dhais already in practice more skilful and safe, rather than to train young
women to the profession of midwives. The arrangements, moreover, sanctioned in the letter
of 1st August 1871 have not been carried out. Dr. Charles would have made the case clearer
had he given some information regarding the age, caste, social position and antecedents of these
women. There can be no doubt that the experiment would be more promising in a separate
lying-in-hospital with separate compound and quarters provided for the nurses either in the
hospital or in the compound. This however does not exist now, and I would propose that the
three females who have shown such aptitude in acquiring theoretical knowledge should be
retained until Dr. Charles considers them fitted to practice as nurse-midwives skilfully, that no
more young females should be entertained for instruction, that if possible elderly dhais in
actual practice should be recruited to fill up vacancies and maintain the sanctioned strength,
and that the six women under instruction should be lodged in one place close to the hospital,
and looked after by a respectable elderly native female on a salary of Rs. 18 a month. If
these conditions cannot be realized, it would be well to discontinue the experiment until a
separate lying-in-hospital has been provided. It might then be tried with better prospects of
success.

Finances.

     20. It is satisfactory to find that considerable savings have been effected on the budget
allowance under several heads. The figures, however, refer to the calendar year, while the
budget grant covers the financial year, and it is difficult to say on what principle the calcu-
lations have been made. The subject will be more appropriately treated when considering the
budget grant of the ensuing year. Dr. Chevers has appended to his report a statement of
legacies and other monies which have from time to time become available for increasing the
comfort of the hospital or being expended for the benefit of the patients. There seems to have
been a disposition to accumulate such funds. I cannot perceive the necessity or advantage of
doing so, as all the wants of the hospital are met and are likely to be met by Government in a
liberal spirit. I would accordingly recommend that the interest of invested money be expend-
ed as it becomes due, and that floating balances be utilized in adding to the amenities of
hospital life.

      21. I have much pleasure in stating that the affairs of this hospital have been
conducted with their wonted ability and skill by the distinguished medical officers who have
held office in this institution during the year.

THE GENERAL HOSPITAL.

      22. DR. EWART's report is most able and interesting, and presents a valuable and
instructive view of the medical transactions of the year, and an excellent comparison of the
results of 1871 with those of previous years. This report, together with the figured returns,
is appended in extenso.

Advantage of early
treatment.

      23. I would draw particular attention to the remarks made regarding the propriety
of sending cases for treatment during the earlier stages of disease, when remedies are found
to be of most avail. This is more particularly desirable in cases of cholera, and when it
lies with masters of vessels to send seamen to the hospital, there would appear to be no
difficulty as regards this class of cases. I would suggest that Government should authorita-
tively impress upon the community, more especially the seafaring community, the advantage
of early recourse to treatment.