CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.

17

       17.  The number of minor operations performed by the Resident Surgeon was 3,617 —
a number which shows a very satisfactory increase over those of the six preceding years,
when they were 2,705, 1,476, 1,553, 1,301, 1,348, and 1,964 respectively.

Minor surgical
operations.

        Regarding the falling off in the out-door attendance at the medical and surgical dispen-
saries, Dr. D. B. Smith offers the following explanation, viz.—" The attendance at the
dispensaries is not increasing, but the accommodation is so excessively bad, that there is hardly
room for the present numbers. New out-door dispensaries are an absolute necessity for the
hospital; those in existence are not worthy of the name, being nothing more than mere
cellars, and very bad ones, too."

Cause assigned for
the falling off in
the out-door
attendance at the
dispensaries.

      18. At the dispensary for the treatment of the diseases of women and children, the
total number of new cases amounted to women 5,781, children 7,922) 13,703, against 15,463,
15,217, 13,766, 11,892, and 12,049 in the preceding quinquennial period. The minor oper-
ations performed in this department were 440, against 361, 390, 421, 512, and 229 during the
preceding five years.

Dispensary for
treattment of
women and
children.

        19. The total number of out-door patients treated at the medical and surgical dispen-
saries, at the dispensary for women and children, and at the admission-room, was (new cases
33,845, old cases 62,229) 96,074, with a daily average attendance of 92.47 of new cases and
169.94 of old cases.

Total number
treated at the
foregoing
dispensaries.

       20.  In the ophthalmic dispensary there were 3,946 males, 1,284 females, and 1,041
children treated, or a total number of 6,271 patients; and of them, 3,869 were new cases
of males, 1,271 of females, and 1,019 of children—or a total of 6,159 new cases in this
department. This number shows a very satisfactory increase as compared with the former
years. The daily average attendance at the ophthalmic dispensary was 80.29 persons.
There were 84 minor operations performed at this dispensary.

Ophthalmic
dispensary.

       21.   There were 4,552 patients (new cases) treated at the dental dispensary, against
3,442, 1,828, 850, 1,047, and 1,184 in the five previous years. The number of operations
performed was 4,084.

Dental dispensary.

      22.   The total number of patients (new cases) to whom out-door medical or surgical
treatment was afforded during 1876 was 44,556. This number is less than what was regis-
tered in 1875 by 714, but is higher than the number shown in 1874, 1873, or 1872.

Total number of
out-door patients
(new cases) treated.

        23. During the year 209 persons received diet in hospital. They were either the
parents or relatives of young children who were patients, or were young children who could
not be separated from their sick parents while in hospital. Formerly persons so dieted were
returned as cases of privation.

Other persons
dieted by the
hospital.

        24. It is reported that savings from the fixed allowances granted to the hospital were
affected during the year to the amount of Rs. 13,074-6-1, and in the following table it is
shown on what items this saving was made, as well as the amount on each one.

General savings.

      25.   On the 31st March 1876 Dr. D. B. Smith assumed the duties of the Principal of
the College of and First Physician, College Hospital, vice Dr. Norman Chevers, retired; while
Dr. E. J. Gayer, on the same date, succeeded Mr. S. B. Partridge to officiate as First Surgeon
to the College Hospital and Professor of Surgery.

Changes in the
staff of the hospital.

        26. Dr. Smith reports that certain portions of the ground-floor of the Medical College
Hospital were laid down with asphalte in lieu of Portland cement, as originally proposed.
A. new dead-house was also constructed in place of the old one, which was condemned, as
totally unfit for the purpose, on sanitary grounds. The new dead-house possesses many
advantages with regard to light, ventilation, and suitable fittings. The Surgeons of the
hospital have urged the expediency of having a detached building erected for the segregation
of erysipelas and other infectious diseases. The nurses' quarters are said to be very bad, and
Dr. Smith considers that new arrangements in this department are greatly needed.

Buildings, &c.

       27.   Dr. Smith reports that during 1876 one matron and 15 nurses were entertained
in. the College Hospital, at a cost of about Rs. 1,700 a month. Of this amount Rs. 1,000 are
collected by the ladies of the Committee, there being a supplementary grant from Govern-
ment of Rs. 700 a month. Regarding the matron and nurses, Dr. Smith writes as follows:—
"Mrs. Bowler, the matron, deserves special praise for the assiduity and conscientious care with
which she has at all times performed her important duties. The nurses generally are willing,
attentive, respectable, and pains-taking; and when they fail in their duty, it is, I believe, much
more often due to ignorance and want of experience than to culpable heartlessness or wilful
neglect. I cannot here refrain from bearing testimony to the excellent character, unselfish

Nursing.

C