Climate of
the station.
Water-
supply.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
Epidemic
diseases.
Ventilation
of the
hospital.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
44
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Surgeon-Major R. Dempster was in medical charge of this corps during the-
year and reports as follows :—
Climate of the station. —The temperature during the past year has been about the average.
The rainfall was unusually heavy ; 167.40 inches fell ; the average is about 130.
Water-supply.—Water good and abundant, except about a month before the commencement
of the monsoon, when it had to be procured some little distance from the lines.
Sanitary arrangements. —The sanitary arrangements have been satisfactory. No local causes
of disease have required removal.
Diet.—Provisions have been plentiful but dear ; prices have not fallen to what they were
previous to the famine. The men have received the usual rice-money, averaging Rupees 2-1-10
for the year. Diet is on the whole sufficiently nutritious. Fish is cheap and plentiful, but
mutton is dear compared with the other coast. Fruits and vegetables are abundant and moderate
in price.
Clothing.
Clothing. —Is sufficient and adapted to the climate. No changes have been recommended.
Foot-soreness.
Drill.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
Foot-soreness. —There have been many cases of slight foot-soreness, unavoidable in men
wearing English boots without socks. On any slight abrasion a man is excused from wearing his
boots for a few days, which always has the desired effect. Socks were introduced in the corps, but
being of such a flimsy material, they lasted but a short time.
Drill. —With the exception of Sundays and Thursdays parades generally take place daily
between 6 to 7 A.M. ; during the drill season there are also occasional parades in the evening
between 5 and 6 and during the musketry course of instruction. One company at a time is
struck off duty for that purpose. The drills have not unfavorably influenced health.
Exercises.—The only recreation the men have is in the cultivation of their gardens, sufficient
ground being provided for all who like to avail themselves of it. The gardens are generally
well cultivated.
Vaccination. —Vaccination is carried out in the regiment. 75 were vaccinated during the
past year ; of these 35 were successful. No small-pox has occurred. 7 recruits were re-vacci
nated ; 5 of these were successful.
Epidemic diseases. —None.
Ventilation of the hospital.—The hospital is a commodious building ; ventilation is good.
No overcrowding has taken place. State of drainage and latrines has been good. The dry-earth
system is efficiently carried out. No representations have been made.
Hospital water-supply. —Water-supply abundant and good.
General conclusions. —The sanitary state of the regiment during the past year has been very
satisfactory. 223 admissions took place against 238, and the average daily sick was 9.98 against
11.42 the previous year. 15 men were sent on sick leave. The principal diseases have been
intermittent fevers, rheumatism, dysentery, and ulcers. The admissions from zymotic diseases
were 50 per cent. of total admissions. Three deaths took place in hospital : remittent fever 1,
dysentery 1, and general debility 1. Six deaths took place out of hospital, viz., one brought to
hospital dead, having died suddenly from apoplexy, one killed by lightning, and one died from
general debility while waiting for sanction of pension. Three died while on sick leave from causes
unknown.
MYSORE DIVISION.
Average strength
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
3,181
Do.
do. present
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
2,005
Total admissions
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
2,645
Daily sick
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
89
Deaths in hospital ..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. . . .
46
Do. out of hospital
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
22
Pensioned
..
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
162
Sick leave
..
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
131
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years :—