Number who have been HOSPITALS. cared for in hospital during the year, 424, against 444 the previous year. Average daily number cared for in hosDiseases of those treated in hospital: pital during the year, 88.7. 6 21 Number of beneficiaries carried sick in quarters during the year, 198, against 261 the previous year. Average daily number sick in quarters, 12. Diseases of those carried sick in quarters: Abscess..... Alcoholism. 2824463 Ophthalmia 2 1 Paralysis, partial 7 6 Renal disease... 7 Rheumatism, chronic 19 4 Senility 7 1 Scrofula.. 2 Skin disease 2 Spermatorrhoea 1 Sprains 4 The number of beneficiaries who were medically treated in hospital and quarters during the year constituted 48 per cent. of the whole number cared for in the Home, against 54 per cent. during the previous year; and the average number of sick in hospital and quarters during the year 1878 was 11.8 per cent. of the average number of beneficiaries cared for in the Home, while in 1877 it was 10.5 per cent., and in 1876 it was 10 per cent., indicating a gradual increase, but no marked difference in the ratio of the number of sick to the whole number of beneficiaries during. the three years. The ratio of sick in hospital to the whole number of beneficiaries has for several years been very much larger at this branch than at any other branch of the Home; and two-thirds of the cases in our hospital have been chronic and incurable. During the year just closed the average number of sick in hospital, as shown by the quarterly post-returns, has been nearly as great at this branch as at both the Southern and Eastern Branches, to wit: Average number sick in hospital at Southern Branch, 37; average number sick in hospital at Eastern Branch, 55; average number of sick in hospital at Northwestern Branch, 89. The most pressing need of this Home is a new hospital building of sufficient capacity to accommodate one hundred and twenty patients, allowing to each one thousand cubic feet of space; a structure at least one hundred by forty feet and three stories high, which, at the present low rates of material and labor, can be built for about fifteen thousand dollars. The whole number of cases prescribed for at "sick call" during the year (including 3,729 cases requiring surgical dressing and not including those borne upon the report of sick in hospital) was 8,455. Number of prescriptions for same, 6,840. Number of accouchements among the wives of beneficiaries attended by the surgeon during the year, 13. The assistant surgeon, Dr. C. E. Richards, who during the year has performed the principal duties of medical officer, and since September last has had sole charge of the hospital (the surgeon, Dr. John L. Page, having recently resigned on account of continued ill health), submits the following general observations upon the hygienic condition of the Home, the sanitary state of the hospital, and the care of beneficiaries: The hygienic condition of the Home is excellent. The hospital is in as good condition for comfort and health as it is possible to put it, considering that it was not originally intended for a hospital. The somewhat crowded condition of the wards is the only thing to be regretted. But considering the fact that we have not had the least appearance of an epidemic of any kind, we are justified in saying that the hospital is as well managed as any similar institution in the country. Patients are as comfortable as though cared for by friends or relatives at their homes. The food is amply sufficient and of good quality. In addition to the regular bill of fare, the sick are supplied with all the delicacies of the season, such as canned fruits, oranges, lemons, jellies, oysters, and in fact anything that the appetite of the most fastidious would crave; and it is worthy of special mention that the sick are not limited or stinted in this respect. The wards are kept clean and tidy by competent nurses, and are also well warmed. Meals are sent to the bedside of the patients when they are unable to go to the dining-room. Arrangements for thorough bathing in hospital are excellent. All patients are subjected to a bath before they are allowed to occupy their beds, and are required to bathe regularly once a week while they are in hospital. In cases where the exposure incident to taking a full-length bath is not admissible they are subjected to a sponge bath as often as it is necessary. The results of this hygienic measure are highly beneficial and satisfactory. The patients are clean and free from all vermin, and, in consequence of their cleanliness, the beds are always neat and tidy. During the year the Home has been remarkably free from all epidemics or contagious diseases of any kind, but one case of contagious disease having occurred, and that was developing itself when the man was admitted to the Home; and by thorough hygienic measures successfully carried out the disease was limited to the patient who was afflicted with it. There has not been a single case of malaria that has originated in or near the Home. Those that have been treated for malaria have had it for years. The intermittent fever cases that are reported were all among the new admissions, and the disease was contracted in other States. The Home is, as it should be, particularly free from diseases of malarious origin, from the fact that it is situated upon high undulating land. The buildings and grounds are thoroughly and effectually drained, and all the modern improvements, together with good and warm clothing, well-ventilated dormitories, a fine, library, amusements of many kinds, &c., tend to make it highly conducive to the happiness and comfort of the beneficiaries. DEATHIS. Number of beneficiaries who have died during the year, 47; of which 6 deceased outside of the Home premises. Causes of the deaths: The ratio of deaths during the year to the whole number of beneficiaries cared for was 3.62 per cent.; to the average number present and absent it was 5.48 per cent. In 1877 the death rate was 3.75 per cent. of the whole number cared for, and 5.76 per cent. of the average ǹumber present and absent. The ratio of deaths in the Home to the average number actually present in the Home during the year 1878, was 5.93 per cent. against 5.31 per cent. the previous year. The following tabular statement exhibits the number of beneficiaries of this branch who have died during each month and year since its organization, together with the average annual strength of the command, and the ratio of deaths to the average number of beneficiaries each year. The greatest mortality since the occupation of the new building, September 20, 1869, was during the year 1872, when the death-rate reached 82 to 1,000 of the average number of beneficiaries present and absent; the smallest was in 1876, when the ratio fell to 46 to 1,000. Average annual strength of the command... *84 137 215 468 584 558 324 622 514 710 850 857 89 102 79 60 68 82 Eight months. 59 66 53 46 58 55 On the following page will be found a list of those who have died during the year, with date, place, and cause of death, and military history, &c., of each. |