Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
barrack
-
rooms.
guard-rooms,
&c
Any nuisance.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
Duty and
exercises.
Drill.
97
NAGPORE FORCE.
The following officers were in medical charge of this corps during the year :
Surgeon W. E. Johnson, M.D.,
Surgeon H. G. Hall,
the latter of whom reports as follows :—
Climate of the station.— I took charge on the 16th of October and found 93 men in hospital,
the most of whom were suffering from the effects of sudden climatic changes, the temperature
often fluctuating between 45° and 75° F. in the course of 24 hours. The rains were deficient
during the year, and this circumstance, together with great exportation of grain, caused provision
of all kinds to rise in price, and most of the men were consequently very insufficiently fed, and
they became more susceptible to disease than they would have been had they got a sufficient
quantity of good food.
On the march.— The Head-quarters and Left Wing left Jubbulpore for Raipur on 3rd
December 1878, where it arrived on the 25th of same month. The Right Wing marched on
5th January 1879, and arrived in Raipur on the 9th February 1879. The Head-quarters and
Left Wing went by rail from Jubbulpore to Nagpore as cholera and small-pox broke out along
the Seoni road, and from Nagpore they proceeded on foot to Raipur. The Right Wing marched
direct from Jubbulpore to Raipur, the road having been reported safe.
In Jubbulpore the Native Infantry lines were situated about one and a half miles to the
south-west of the station; they were built on elevated ground, having a good fall for drainage, and
were considered healthy.
The lines in Raipur are situated on rising ground to the east of the civil station. They are
fairly healthy, but the drainage is not quite as good as could be desired.
The huts are of the ordinary size found in Native lines. They are fairly constructed and
tolerably well ventilated, but the ventilation could be much improved by leaving the spaces
between the rafters open. At present ventilation is chiefly carried on through the tiles of the roof.
Climate of the
station.
On the march.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's barrack-rooms, guard-rooms, &c .—The ventilation of the
guard-rooms and solitary cells, and also the drainage around those buildings, is good.
Any nuisance.— No .
Water-supply.— The water was obtained from three wells within the lines; it was sufficient
and of good quality.
Water
-supply.
Sanitary arrangements.— The sanitary arrangements in the lines at Jubbulpore have been
carefully carried out during the year.
Diet .—Provisions were very dear owing to increased exportation and deficient fall of rain.
Vegetables were plentiful. The troops did receive compensation money in consequence of the
dearness of rice and other articles of food. The diet of the men was sufficient for themselves if
they used what was specially intended for them, but most of them had a large number of relations
depending on them, and the result was that they did not get half enough to eat. The inferior
quality of rice which was chiefly used was not very nutritive, and the mutton was very poor
indeed.
Liquors used.— The Mowah spirit was mostly used by the men ; it was of a very bad quality.
Liquors used
.
Clothing.— The clothing during the year has been of a good quality and suitable to the
seasons.
The changes of temperature from heat to cold were often so sudden and varied in the latter
part of the year that many of the men came into hospital suffering from fever. I recommended
that the men on duty should wear warm clothing between 5 P.M. and 8 A.M. This recommenda--
tion was immediately carried out.
Foot-soreness.— There were 32 cases of foot sore treated during the year, caused by pressure
of boots. The men were excused boots until they were quite well. The boots were softened
as much as possible by being saturated in bazaar castor-oil and with good results, as foot sores
were seldom met with after this plan was adopted.
Duty and exercises.— The duties were garrison and regimental guards, detachment parties,
recruiting service, fatigue duties. Those duties were not found to be injurious or excessive.
The men have had 5 . 87 nights in bed during the week.
Drill.—There was an average of three drills per week, viz., between 6 A.M. to 8 A.M. and
between 4 P.M. and 6 p.m.
In November most of the men were so weakened by frequent attacks of intermittent fever
that I considered it necessary to recommend that all drills be stopped until they gained strength.
This was immediately done, with very good results.
Vaccination.—There were 9 men of the regiment and 199 of their families vaccinated
during the year. There were 8 cases of small-pox amongst the families of the men, but no
Clothing.
Foot-soreness.
Vaccination.
25