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It is with the deepest regret that the death from Plague has to be
recorded of Miss MacDougal, on the 22nd February 1898. This lady
was a distinguished Nurse from St. Bartholomew Hospital, London,
and was a victim to the cause to which she truly gave her life.
As the Epidemic heightened, the Hospital Staff was increased both
in number and quality. During January the staff of Medical Officers
in charge of hospitals was increased. Of those who were especially
successful as heads of hospitals were Dr. Hutchinson at Grant
Road, Dr. Julius at Modikhana and Dr. Choksey at Arthur Road.
Medical Officers.
The system of Private Hospitals inaugurated last year by the
Committee has been adhered to and considerably extended during the
second Epidemic. In spite of much adverse criticism, it has been found
that Private Hospitals, open to all members of any particular caste or
sect, have as a whole been a distinct success. The many intricate
questions relating to caste habits, food, religious scruples and other
similar difficulties, have in this way been overcome and the various
apprehensions and fears of the people have been set at rest. The
result has been a moral and practical support to the measures adopted
by the Committee that has proved invaluable. To the munificent
founders of these hospitals and to the gentlemen who devoted so
much time to their management, the Committee are most grateful, and
cordially acknowledge their good services for the public benefit.
The choice of a building satisfactory in every sanitary detail,
together with convenience of position for the special caste for whom
it was intended, has often proved most difficult. Undoubtedly there
has been much left to be desired in this respect as regards certain
private hospitals: yet no effort has been spared to make them as
efficient as possible, and in no case can it be shewn that any
private hospital has proved a source of infection to its neighbourhood.
The Jain Hospital, the Kapol-Lad Bania Hospital, and the Modh
Porwad Hospital, all in the Bhuleshwar Ward, have done excel-
lent service. On the other hand, Dariastan Street, the site of the
Lohana Hospital, is too narrow and too crowded for safety, and the
management of its sanitary details has not been entirely satisfactory.
Among Musalman Hospitals the Khojah Hospital in Don-Tod
Street, though in a crowded locality, was too carefully managed to be
a source of anxiety. Among the hospitals whose open sites free chem
from the risk of spreading infection are the Maratha, Beni-Israel, Parsi
and Jain Hospitals in the Connaught and neighbouring Parel Roads;