St. Thomas's Hospital Reports Volume 13 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt: ...to show that the spread of cholera amongst the native troops was influenced by the water supply. In the month of June rumours of an outbreak of cholera began to be heard. The first case officially reported occurred on June 22nd, though Sir Guyer Hunter believes he has proof that it was prevalent in May and had been endemic for many years. Towards the middle of July it appeared certain that an epidemic was at hand, so that it was necessary to make preparations to meet the emergency. Preparations.--An old building, already almost in a ruinous condition, was cleared out, cleaned, and fitted up for the reception of such as might be attacked by cholera; a quarantine camp was established, and special directions were issued to all medical officers with regard to the treatment of diarrhoea, and an army order was issued directing that all drinking water should be boiled and filtered; instructions relative to the method of dealing with cholera patients were circulated, and on July 23rd the hospital was opened for the reception of patients. All these preparations were made under the direction of Surgeon-Major Rogers. Had Dr. Rogers been allowed to remain all would have gone well, but the appearance of cholera amongst the English troops was the signal for his recall to his duties at Heluan. At the time of my arrival at Abbassiyeh, there were at the Cholera Hospital: 3 native medical officers, 1 pharmacien, 1 clerk, 1 storekeeper, 1 sergeant-major, and 24 infirmiers, 2 cooks, 1 driver, 1 officer, 2 non-commissioned officers, and 13 men on guard. So that as far as numbers were concerned there was no lack of persons to carry out the necessary details. The hospital was a large eleven-roomed, two-storied house, capable of holding from fifty to sixty patients. The upper room...