Chapter Seven On Public Health 35 - Hospitals 38,000 patients were treated in government hospitals during the year, and 212,000 people in outpatient clinics, of whom 10,300 were new patients. An assistant national surgeon was appointed to Qasr al-Ayni Hospital, and another as a surgeon at Alexandria Hospital. Although no new public hospital buildings were commenced during the year, a committee was formed to consider the reconstruction of Qasr al-Ayni, and this important work will begin as soon as the necessary funds become available. The two rural hospitals in Alexandria, Zifta, Beni Suef, Sohag, and Aswan were visited, and 10,000 patients were treated in them. A permanent eye hospital was opened in Assiut during the year; it is a well-constructed building with 28 beds and all types of equipment. The people of the province contributed £5,000 M.E. towards its construction costs. The construction of a hospital in Suez was also commenced. A sum of £4,000 M.E. was subscribed by the province of Beni Suef, and the Directorate of Sharqia province agreed to contribute a similar amount for the establishment of eye hospitals. A simple construction plan has finally been drawn up, and it is estimated that £40,000 M.E. would be sufficient to build a hospital of this type, if this sum can be raised. 36 - Lunatic Asylums The number of beds in the Kasr al-Aini Asylum increased from 947 to 1,007 with the addition of a new section. However, the number of patients increased from 1,150 to 1,304, which is 297 more than the number of beds. The first section of the new asylum in Khanka is expected to be completed in 1911 and will accommodate 240 patients. The Kasr al-Aini Asylum can be expanded by making some modifications to its structure to accommodate approximately 140 more patients. The number of new patients in 1910 was 773. Of these, 492 were released, 126 died, and 104 remained. Malaria, hashish, and syphilis continue to be the main causes of insanity, as in previous years.