BRITISH Glk^. 
K/IEIFOIR/r 
OF THE 
SURGEON GENERAL 
ON THE 
PUBLIC HOSPITAL 
OF 
DEMERARA AND ESSEQUEBO 
FOR THE YEAR 
1878. 
DEMERARA: 
PRINTED AT THE ROYAL GAZETTE OFFICE, MAIN-STREET. 
1879. PUBLIC HOSPITAL, 
Georgetown, 14th January, 1879. 
SIR, 
I beg leave to lay before you for the information of His Excellency the 
Governor and Combined Court the following urief report:— 
I have very little to add to the remarks made in my previous reports with regard to 
the general management of the Hospital, and its requirements. 
The admissions were in 1878, 5,362, (3,515 males and 1,847 females); 391 above 
those of 1877, although the daily average number (389) was less than that of 1877 (444). 
This must be accounted for by the longer stay in hospital of the patients in 1877 than in 
1878. The deaths were 655, (464 males and 191 females). This gives about twelve per 
cent, mortality upon admissions; a small per centage when the cases which are taken in 
are considered, and when there were 85 moribund patients admitted. Ulcers are still nu- 
merous ; and I venture to state that one-tenth part of our labouring (agricultural) popu- 
lation is disabled by neglected ulcers of the lower extremities Consumption I am sorry 
to say, is still very much on the increase. This malady as well as the numerous cases of 
Rheumatism and Dropsy, is due to the want of proper and sufficient food, coupled with the 
injurious effects of unhealthy abodes. I will take this opportunity of calling His Excel- 
lency’s attention to the absolute necessity of having a proper dry air (Turkish) bath. In 
Europe every hospital is provided with such a bath, the benefit of which is shown in the 
great relief, if not cures, obtained principally by their use in chronic rheumatism and 
dropsical affections. A Turkish bath was built some years ago, but upon such a faulty 
plan that we have never been able to obtain more than 120 degrees of heat, when the lowest 
degree ought to be from 170 to 180. I must earnestly request His Excellency to give such 
instructions for the erection of such a bath, as would give us its beneficial effects as soon 
as possible. It is an object of the greatest importance for the welfare of those numerous 
cases of Dropsy and Rheumatism, and other diseases. The number of out-door patients is 
also gradually increasing, although many of those who present themselves for gratuitous 
relief are not prescribed for, and although many who get advice and medicines, are or 
ouo'ht to be, able to pay for such advice, it is very difficult to discriminate who are legiti- 
mately entitled to such relief. It will be seen by the annexed table that the amount for 
medicines far exceeds the sum voted for these articles. This excess is due entirely to the 
laro-e number of out-door patients. The $8,000 is far from being sufficient to meet the 
expense for medicines and surgical appliances. We will require at least $10,000. 
The amount for Wines and Spirits also greatly exceeds the sum voted for their supply. 
The nature of the cases which are admitted is such as to call for the prompt and liberal 
administration of stimulants. The sum $3,000 voted is not adequate, and we ought to 
get at least $4,000. 
The supply of clothes is deficient, we can hardly keep up the necessary clothes which 
are required. This can scarcely be wondered at, when it is known that from Seventy to 
Eighty dollars are spent for plantain leaves alone. The amount for Clothing and Bedding 
ought to be not less than $4,000. 
The annexed table shows an excess of expenditure of $683 92 over the amount voted. 
However this excess is more than covered by the amount received from the paying pa- 
tients, which was $1,972 ; and were we to add to this last sum $1,617 25, amount due by 
estates for Coolies treated in hospital, the sum of $2,905 33 would be to our credit. 
The Port of Georgetown ought to be placed at the head of the list of Seaports, with 10 Healthiness. The number of seamen who entered the Port of Georgetown during 
878 was 10,982. Of these 455 were admitted in the Seaman’s Hospital, out of whom 
only four died; one from an accident living only a few hours after admission; three of 
chronic dysentery of lpng .standing, a disease in no way connected with the climate. It is 
a remarkable fact that not a single death took place from ijlness, contracted in the colony. 
I have written to the Colonial Civil Engineer concerning the additions, alterations 
and repairs required at the Hospitals - The wbf Waf'the buildings require painting inside 
and outside. 
I will conclude by earnestly calling upon His Excellency to endeavour to have erected, 
as soon as possible, a Turkish bath, which is greatly wanted. 
}' •' ' j L 
I have the honor to be, 
Sir, 
Your obedient Servant, 
ET. A. MANGET, 
Colonial Surgeon-General. 
The Honourable the Government Secretary. 
1078 
Whole Votes 
Amts per month 
Dietary. 
$ 28,000 00 
2,333 33 
Wines and 
Spirits. 
§3000 00 
■ . 
250 00 
. 
Officers and 
Servants 
$ 15,000 00 
1,250 00 
Clothing, &c. 
$ 3,002 00 
250 00 
Fuel and 
Lights. 
$ 2,500 00 
208 33 
Medicines. 
$8,000 00 
666 66 
Washing, isc. 
$ 1,500 00 
125 00 
Furniture, &c. Funerals. 
$ 1.0C0 00 $2300 00 
83 33 191 66 
" — 
Stationery. 
$ 40000 
33 33 
Miscella- 
neous. 
$2,000 00 
166 66 
January 
1,640 23 
249 70 
582 04 
162 13 
• -806 87 
119 20 
■ 
228 17 
245 .41 
171 88 
1,222 94 
February 
1,880 13 
407 80 
518 32 
130 80 
. 672. 01 
116 17 
41 42 
130 97 
42 04 
143 86 
1,222 22 
March 
2,378 24 
533 70 
350 41 
220 54 
: 858 94 
129 78 
8 88 
158 19 
196 92 
123 20 
1,222 94 
April ... ... 
1,944 35 
455 30 
210 80 
352 56 
742 97 
115 58 
60 56 
178 18 
... 
227 33 
1,222 70 
May 
2,178 80 
444 10 
132 20 
73 40 
900 12 
104 71 
18 52 
110 20 
... 
93 15 
1,222 94 
June ... ... 
2,687 80 
374 30 
455 55 
262 70 
1,261 89 
133 08 
56 47 
118 96 
76 60 
223 01 
1,222 70 
July 
1,972 43 
421 00 
453 43 
234 90 
1,011 19 
132 22 
46 57 
317 59 
313 94 
1,222 94 
August 
2,203 44 
2S6 30 
159 27 
193 06 
1,022 48 
121 45 
65.32 
137 56 
... 
163 58 
1,240 94 
September ... 
1,969 89 
406 00 
125 66 
271 36 
' vj . ‘u 
968 81 
. 
138 06 
, , 23,1 ,98 
155 50 
60 62 
168 22 
1,241 72 
October . 
2,302 50 
327 20 
180; 03 
.. 474,81 
. 986 98 
113 58 
43 07 
152 12 
... 
73 88 
1,241 94 
Novdmbgi? ..- 
1,966 13 
307 90 
120 59 
lV7 83 
910 10 
126 23 
24 01 
154 99 
... 
82 87 
1,247 70 
December .,. 
'2,071 78 
344 70 
157 71 
158 22 
840 78 
114 09 
v 64 08 
141 00 
69 76 
105 53 
1,247 90 
24,195 72 
4,558 00 
3,446 01 
2,412 31 
10,991 14 
1,464 16 
892 05 
2,000 67 
445 94 
1.890 46 
14,779 56