36

REPORT ON THE

Remittent fever.

          11. Regarding the prevalence and severity of cases of remittent fever, Dr. Bird writes
that "in the past year the type of remittent ever in Howrah was more virulent than that
which characterized the disease in 1875, and the mortality was larger in the former year
than in the latter. The same treatment was followed in both years. This consisted of the
æther mixture, rum and ammonia, and occasionally Warburgh's tincture. The latter-
mentioned remedy is the best of all, and comes very nearly to being a specific for the disease.
With abundance of this drug at hand, the medical man may confidently count on a successful
result in almost every case, provided the patient comes under his care not later than the 7th
day of the fever." The mortality from remittent fever during 1876 was at the rate of 210.5
per mille of Christians and 267.3 Natives, against 68.18 and 194.76 in 1875.

When the mortality
from cholera was
excessive, that from
fever was moderate,
and vice versâ.

          12. The figures in the two preceding tables reveal another remarkable fact, which is
that when the mortality from cholera was at a high rate among the Christian and Native
patients, that from fever was moderate, and vice versâ. This extraordinary fluctuation in
the severity of these two diseases is not easily accounted for, nor has any explanation been
offered regarding it.

Dysentery.

          13. Dr. Bird observes that "dysentery was, on the whole, less prevalent in 1876 than
in 1875, but the mortality among the Native patients was excessive. This was owing to many
of the dysenteric cases being received in a moribund state." Among the Christian patients
38 cases of dysentery were treated without the occurrence of a casualty, but among the Native
patients the mortality from this disease was at the rate of 382.71 per mille of total treated.

Residences of
cholera patients.

          14. In the following tables are shown the residences and number of the cholera
patients admitted into the European and Native wards of the Howrah General Hospital
during the ear 1876:—

Moribund cases.

          15. From a table in Dr. Bird's report (which I reproduce in its entirety) it appears that
there were 68 "moribund" patients admitted (those who died within 24 hours of admission),
and 111 patients who died within periods varying from to 2 to 10 days after admission:—

Regarding the "moribund" patients, Dr. Bird remarks as follows:—"In my report
for 1873 I entered fully into the circumstances which, it appeared to me, led to so many in a
"moribund" condition being brought to hospital. The remarks made then are equally appli-
cable to our experience of moribunds in the year just closed."

Operations.

          16. During the year there were 55 major and 1,721 minor operations performed in
this hospital. Among the former, there were four cases of hepatic abscess tapped (whether
by aspiration is not mentioned), of which two were relieved and two proved fatal. There were
two cases of amputation of the leg—one for compound fracture, the other for multiple injury,
and both proved fatal. As regards the surgical department of the hospital, Dr. Bird remarks
as follows:—"A good deal of useful surgery has been done during the past year. Assistant-
Surgeon Baboo Umrito Lal Deb operated frequently and well, and merits the reputation of
being a good Surgeon. Mr. Harding has also operated repeatedly and successfully: with
a little more practice he will, in my opinion, come to be a dexterous surgeon."

Buildings, &c.

          17. Dr. Bird reports that "the new bath-rooms and latrines were finished and brought
into use during the year, and the result has proved most gratifying. The verandah, on which