Annual report of the Sarawak Government Medical Department.

  • Sarawak. Medical Department.
Date:
[1922]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Sarawak Government Medical Department. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/22 (page 3)
    During the year 26 patients were admitted into the Grange Hospital, one patient remaining at the end of year. The following is a list of admissions :— Malaria Cellulitis * Influenza Dengue Rubella Amoebic Dysentery Popliteal Abscess * Delirium Tremens Fractured Clavicle Albuminuria Prostatic Abscess Epididymitis * ... Confinement Sciatica * Inguinal Hernia * Varicocele * Tooth Extraction * For Colpotomy * 7 o 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 *2fi (.V, #£.—Those cases marked required operative treatment). It may be noted that the cases of Malaria were all contracted outside Kuching. MissTait—Matron-in-charge, was granted home leave from March 22nd to October 22nd, her place being taken by Mrs. D. O. Stennitt. GENERAL HOSPITAL. I append a report on the General Hospital for 1922 drawn up by Dr. J. G. Reed, together with statistics and a valuable note on the treatment which is at present being adopted for cases of Ankylostomiasis. •5. tieiicrnS Mo^pilai £Seg»<>rt tor 192%. A table of Comparative Statistics of the General Hospital for the years 1909—1922 is given. The figures are as complete and accurate as circumstances permit. It will be noticed that 1922 shows the lowest death rate and the largest number of operations. A slightly larger number of Malays, than in the previous year, have been admitted, but the majority of these have been from the Police or other Government Departments and there is little evidence of the Malays being willing to adopt European medical and surgical treatment. Phthisis continues to head the list of causes of death. 'Hie vast majority of the cases •come in a very advanced stage and little or nothing can be done for them. However, in one or two more suitable cases, good results are being obtained from courses of Sodium Morrhuate injections. A small sanatorium in an elevated position such as on the slope of Matang would be very desirable. This would both benefit the patients and would remove a potential source of infection from the Hospital enclosure. Beri-beri has ceased to be a serious factor in the mortality lists. It will be noticed that there have been a large number of dysentery cases ; also that a large number of cases have developed in hospital. Though the matter has been carefully investigated no obvious cause for this has been discovered but it is suggested that a cement flooring should be laid down for a small area round the new dapor, which Iras only been used since last year. The value of early treatment is shown by the comparatively low death rate for dysentery, which is accounted for b}^ the fact that all those cases which developed in the hospital received immediate Emetine treatment. Yaws continue to be a very serious scourge One Dyak has said to me that where he comes from (Samarahan) every Dyak has to have yaws, and in many districts I think that his statement is not far from the truth. I have given numerous injections of N. A. B. for yaws in the outstations of the 3rd Division and at Bau. At the latter place I gave over 250 in one week, patients coming in from all directions, including Kampong Staas near the Dutch boundary. I was careful to instruct patients with long established and severe lesions to come to hospital for further treatment and I also instructed Orang Kayas to send in other patients who had not been able to come to Bau. It is gratifying to note that many of these patients did come in, some of them again from as far as Kampong Staas, and are being treated in the Hospital. A Preliminary Report on thfi use of Carbon Tetrachloride in Ankylostomiasis is appended. Various minor improvements have been introduced. The Diet Scale has been revised and a light diet introduced. Some provision has been made for obtaining food suitable for Tamils and it is hoped to engage Tamil coolie who, amongst other duties, will cook for Tamil patients. A sufficiency of good mattresses and pillows have been obtained for suitable cases and some mosquito nets have been made. The Hospital has been wired and fitted for electric light. Needless to say it will be a great step forward when the Lighting Plant commences to be available, as at present the conditions for operating at night are very bad. It will also be possible to instal various forms of •electrical apparatus. A coolie has been engaged to wash the uniforms of the patients.