ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MUNICIPAL PAUPER HOSPITAL,

FROM THE 1st JANUARY TO THE 31st DECEMBER 1871.

    THE following figures exhibit the admissions, discharges, deaths and transfers during
the past 12 months, viz.—

General results.

    The mortality classified as follows, shows the time after admission that deaths took
place:—

Mortality.

    Percentage of deaths to those treated, inclusive of moribunds, has been 27.21, and
exclusive of moribunds 20.18.

    The average daily sick in hospital during the year 1871 has been 233.

    The hospital during the year 1871 now under review, has had somewhat larger numbers
than in the preceding years, the average daily sick having reached 233 against 223, and
the number of admissions have been 4,520 against 3,415; the mortality, however, I am glad
to say, is favorable, compared with last year, being 20 per cent. without, and 28 with,
moribunds, against 22 and 30 respectively. It will be remembered that the mortality last year
bore favorable comparison with the average death-rate of the two preceding years. The
mortality as usual is chiefly due to sloughing dysentery, chronic diarrhæa, general dropsy,
pulmonary phthisis, &c.

Comparison with
  1870.

    Hospital Buiiding.—During the year the building has undergone some repair; the capitals
of two of the large pillars on the west side facing the tank had to be rebuilt, as they were
crushing; but I regret to say the old water-courses, which run the whole length of the
hospital floor, and which were loosely filled in with brick, remain in the same dilapidated
condition, and the surface drains complained of in my last Annual Report remain in the
same state. Something is at present being done to prevent the bricks falling from the top of
the north and south walls of the hospital; as this falling is caused by the expansion and
contraction of the iron roof, it appears an evil difficult however to remedy.

Buildings.

    Latrines.—The old kutcha latrines, I am glad to say, have disappeared, and water-closets
conveniently situated have been fitted up in the building,—two for the male, and one for the
female, patients. This has been done by converting three available rooms into latrines and
connecting them with the Calcutta Drainage and Water Works; they are found to work well,
and are a very great convenience to the sick.

Latrines.

    Water Pipes—Have also been laid on. A stand-post has been placed in the centre of
the building, and a pipe has been laid in connection with the cook-room. Although these
are great boons, a stand-post at either end of the building,—one at the dead-house, and one at
the iron tank used for boiling cots, blankets, &c.,—is also needed.

Water-supply.