Epidemics.
Phthisis
pulmonalis.
Hospital
ventilation.
Water-
supply.
General
conclusions.
Sanitary
condition of
all buildings.
Water-
supply.
Conservancy.
Diet.
Clothing.
Foot-soreness.
Duty.
Drill.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
39
Diet.—Famine prices have prevailed. For last three months of the year vegetable supply
scanty. Troops have received compensation.
Clothing.—I consider the present tunic, belt, trousers and boots quite unsuitable to the climate
during the greater part of the year. The clothing has been sufficient, and adapted to the climate
so far as it is possible to make it so.
Foot-soreness.— On every parade men fall out on account of foot-soreness from defective boots.
The men are advised to grease their boots, and when foot-sore are excused wearing boots.
Duly.—The usual amount of duty and drill. Average number of nights in bed per week
Duty. 6.00.
Drill.—From 6 A.M. to 7-30 A.M. route march ; from 7-30 to 9 A.M. out-post duties ; 5-15 to
drill 6 P.M. drill.
Exercises.— Cricket is encouraged by the officers, who play from time to time with the men.
Vaccination.—One case of small-pox occurred during the year. Vaccination is regularly
carried out by the Medical Subordinates and Municipal Vaccinators. No case of small-pox has
occurred in the case of men properly vaccinated,
Epidemics.—Malarious fever was epidemic in the district, and in the regiment there were
49 cases of ague in excess of those last year. This seems to be owing to the flood.
Phthisis pulmonalis.—Phthisis pulmonalis, cause constitutional ; other chest diseases seem
generally caused by cold and exposure.
Hospital ventilation.—Excellent. No overcrowding. Earth system regularly carried out.
Water-supply.—Water-supply of hospital good.
General conclusions.—I am of opinion that a large number of the men have not been able
to provide themselves with sufficient quantity of good food during the year owing to high prices
and their large families. The hutting of this regiment is no worse than that of Native Regi--
ments generally, but I consider the present system of hutting defective. I believe a great part of
the sickness, invaliding, and inefficiency generally of Native Regiments could be prevented by—
first, better huts ; secondly, more suitable clothing ; thirdly, making the men take their meals in
messes under supervision, thus securing a proper quantity of food for each man ; fourthly, the
reduction as much as possible of the families dependent on each man, by discouraging or
preventing marriage of men below a certain rank.
Deputy Surgeon-General J. Wilson inspected this corps on the 22nd November
1878 and reports as follows : —
Lines.—The lines are clean, the huts tiled and in good repair,
Number of inmates in each hut . .
. .
. . 2.72
Do. of cubic feet
do.
. .
. .
. . 4.23
Do. of superficial feet do.
. .
. .
.. 47
There is good surface drainage, both natural and artificial.
Sanitary condition of all buildings.— There are two latrines which are kept clean, but coal-tar
is not used; their contents are removed twice a day by municipal carts and utilized in cultiva-
tion.
Water-supply.—Water-supply is abundant ; it is obtained from wells situated in the lines.
They are six in number, three of which are used for drinking purposes, the other three for
washing.
Conservancy.—At present there does not seem to be anything in the neighbourhood prejudi-
cial to the health of the troops. Some time ago there were two latrines at the northern end of
the lines which were reported unfavorably about by the medical officer. The matter was
referred to head-quarters and an order came for their removal.
Hospital.—Perfectly clean, with good natural and artificial drainage, well ventilated, not
crowded, with good water-supply and satisfactory conservancy arrangements, the dry-earth system
being carried out and coal-tar freely used.
38th Regment Native Infantry.
STATION—TRICHINOPOLY.
Arrived from Rangoon on the 14th and 20th February 1871.
Average strength ..
. .
. .
..
..
. .
. .
.. 697
Do.
do. present
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. . . .
Admissions
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
.. 358
Daily sick . .
..
. .
..
. .
. .
..
. .
.. 13
Deaths in hospital
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
3
Do. out of hospital . .
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
2
Pensioned . .
..
. .
..
. .
. .
..
. .
..
8
Sick leave ..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
.. 12
Lines.
Hospital.