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2 down the Indus, and may some day become a staple of the great
3 commerce, which, we may hope, is about to be developed.
4 VACCINATION, DISPENSARIES AND HOosPITALS,
5 208. Dispensaries have now been in operation at all the stations
6 Number ofDispensaries Of the Punjab for at. least two years, and at someé_
7 and of patients, stations for a much longer period. Each Institution
8 is supervised by the Medical Officer in Civil charge, and at large stations
9 there is an additional Sub-Assistant Surgeon (from the Medical College at
10 Calcutta) in special charge of the Dispensaries. The Institutions are
11 generally located at or near large cities for the convenience of the
12 people. There are thirty-three Dispensaries. During the year 1855,
13 71,978 persons were relieved, and during the previous year 55,146
14 persons. These numbers are already considerable, and will probably
15 increase year by year. The great majority of the above are out-door
16 patients, that is, applicants who take their medicine home with them, or
17 else receive it at the Dispensary, and then depart. A portion are in-door
18 patients, that is, serious cases, who are admitted into the Dispensary, and
19 are regularly treated. Numerous capital operations in Surgery are
20 performed, A good supply is kept of SurgicaJ Instruments, of Chloro-
21 form, and of Medical Stores. The Institutions, and the Establishments
22 attached to them, are maintained -by Government, aided slightly by
23 subscriptions from European residents, but almost quite unaided by the
24 natives themselves. No charge whatever is made for medicines or
25 attendance. And even the in-door patients are generally dieted at the
26 Government expense while they are in the Dispensary. It may therefore be
27 said that these Institutions constitute a State charity on a large scale. The
28 Annual costto Govern. annual cost to Government of these Institutions
29 mentofthese Institutions. amounts to Rupees 51,780 or £5,178. From this
30 an average of Rupees 0-11-6 or 1s. 53d. per head on all patients is obtained.
31 There can be no doubt but that the natives do really appreciate the reliet
32 they receive, and feel thankful for it. This feeling exists even in the
33 wildest districts, and especially on the Trans-Indus Frontier. Warlike
34 mountaineers from beyond the British border when suffering from sickness,
35 = Q