48

REPORT ON THE CALCUTTA MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS.

Pundit's ward. was inaugurated by His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, attended by the
committee of the charity and the medical staff of the General Hospital, on the 12th August
1873. The ward provides for the accommodation of 25 patients, and will, as it becomes better
known, be primarily set apart for the reception and treatment of Native surgical cases. As
the Chandney Hospital, under its new designation, "The Mayo Native Hospital," has been
removed to the banks of the Hooghly, this new department will, in a measure, supply its place,
so far at least as it will be open for the accommodation of many surgical cases which formerly
found their way to the "Chandney;" but vacant beds will always be available for the treat-
ment of Native medical cases.

        That the ward will prove a success may, I think, be fairly inferred from the rapid rise
in the attendance, as demonstrated in the subjoined statement:—

Attendance.

Death-rate.

        The average daily sick in this ward during the five months from August to December,
inclusive, has amounted to 15. Out of a total treated amounting to 168, there were 14 deaths,
or 83.33 per thousand.

        A roadway is being made from the ward leading directly into the densely populated
neighbourhood behind the hospital to facilitate access to it.

VISITORS.

Visitors.

        The hospital has been visited by the Hon'ble George Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor
of Bengal; Dr. Campbell Brown, C.B., Inspector-General of Hospitals; and Mr. H. B. Buckle,
C.B., Deputy Surgeon-General of Hospitals.

J. EWART. M.D., Surgeon-Major,
Surgeon, General Hospital.

No. 4L., dated Fort William, the 2nd March 1874.

Memo. from—Dr. H. B. BUCKLE, C.B., Deputy Surgeon-General, Presidency Circle,

To—The Secretary to the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department.

Remarks of the
deputy
surgeon-general on
the report and
returns.

        FORWARDS the annual report and returns of the Presidency General Hospital for the year
1873. There has been no change in the medical staff during the period, and the report is
rendered by Surgeon-Major Ewart, the superintendent.

        During the past year the hospital has been repeatedly visited. The medical arrangements
and sick wards generally are everything that can be desired; the nursing, dieting, and
internal economy of the hospital, very good. During the year the bath-rooms in one of the
wings has been greatly improved: windows have been opened, and the room is made lighter
and well ventilated. The new Native ward, the Sumbhoo Nath Pundit's ward, has been
opened for the treatment of Native patients. The library has been greatly improved, and
the number of books increased. The systematic way in which the routine work is conducted at
this hospital is very good. Clear rules and regulations are laid down for guidance, and there
is a division of work and responsibility amongst the medical staff.

        Improvements in the cook-houses and the dressing of the food have been suggested, and
will be carried out; but it is no easy task in India to make an hospital kitchen and the attendants
what we are all anxious to see, and to replace smoke and dirt by cleanliness and fresh air.
Dr. Ewart reports very favorably of the establishment, which the undersigned corroborates, and
desires to express his entire approval with the manner in which the Presidency General
Hospital is conducted.

Return of surgical
operations.