20

REPORT ON THE CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.

Statistics of the
garrison of Fort
William.
Perceutage reduced.

      The great reduction in the percentage of admissions from all venereal diseases among
the British troops garrisoning the Fort has been already mentioned; but it is most important
to notice that of the 7.4 per cent., to which sickness from this cause is now reduced, only
1.4 per cent. is due to syphilis, and 6 per cent. to gonorrhœa.

Effect of arrival of
new regiment.

Precautions taken.

      Dr. Payne again points out the remarkable increase of disease which manifests itself on
arrival of a new regiment, and he refers to the prompt measures taken on his representations
by the Surgeon-Major of "The Buffs" to prevent the propagation of the disease when this
regiment came down to the Presidency. That in a garrison of 909 men only 13 cases of
syphilis should have been treated in the course of a year, is unusually satisfactory.

Registration.

Diminished
numbers of
registered women.

     71. The number of registered women shews a decrease of 327. In 1872 there were
6,782 on the register, in 1873 only 6,455; but the new registrations are stated to have been
about the same last year as they were in 1872. About 7 per cent. of the women evade
examination, and these defaulters are frequently found diseased. Among the registered women
disease is found to exist in only 1.5 per cent. Disease therefore here, as in other places, is
propagated chiefly by unregistered women. Unfortunately it would appear that the amount
of disease among these unregistered and outside women is on the increase; and this, taken in
conjunction with the decrease of numbers on the register, may perhaps lead to less favorable
results in future years.

Disease among the
women.

      72. The number of admissions this year, and the severity of the cases, as measured by
the mean detention in hospital, are shewn to be greater in 1873 than in 1872; but this is
explained by a more strictly correct system having been reintroduced, and which excludes
all forms of non-venereal disease. It is certainly to be regretted that during Dr. Payne's
absence a different plan should have been adopted, as it vitiates the figures of the last two
years for any purpose of comparison with other years. At the end of the year there were
198 cases in hospital, or 3.06 per cent. The mean daily number of sick has been 276.

Mortality.

      73. The number of deaths from all diseases during the year has been only six, viz,
two from dysentery and one from each of the following diseases, viz. pyæmia, apoplexy,
bronchitis, and peritonitis.

Transfer to Alipore.

      74. In November last the Sealdah Lock Hospital, being required for the Campbell
Medical School, was vacated, and the sick native prostitutes were all brought to Alipore,
a house on the Balliaghatta Road being converted into an hospital for the European and
Eurasian prostitutes. At the same time the resident medical officer of the Bow Bazar exami-
nation ward resigned his appointment, and Assistant Surgeon Mohendro Nath Goopta was
placed in charge of it and of the European Lock hospital. In this way some saving was
effected. This measure, and the reduction in the hospital establishment, has diminished
the cost of working these institutions by Rs. 1,755, as compared with 1872.

Conduct of
medical
subordinates.

      Dr. Payne brings to very favorable notice the conduct of the resident medical officers
and native doctors. The different Lock hospitals were inspected by the deputy surgeon-
general of the Presidency Circle in July and September. He reports that all the details
were properly managed, and the records correctly kept.

I have the honor to be,            

SIR,                        

Your most obedient servant,      

J. CAMPBELL BROWN,     

Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department.

            E. MCKELLAR, M.D.,

                  Offg. Secretary.