Climate of
the station.
Lines.
Diet.
Liquors.
Clothing.
Foot-soreness.
Duty.
Drill.
Exercises.
Phthisis .
pulmonalis.
Hospital
ventilation.
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
Surgeon W. H. Boalth was in medical charge of the Head-Quarters and Right
Wing during the year and reports as follows : —
Climate of the station .—We have had a very hot weather followed by heavy and long
continued rains, which I believe has been the cause of a large increase in number of agues and
rheumatic affections this year.
Lines .—The lines are badly situated. They are on comparatively low ground; the drainage
of a large portion of Banpore (the native portion of the cantonment) passes through the lines.
The position, in a sanitary point of view, is objectionable. The sepoys' huts are low, dark mud
huts, and have generally only one small door, which is also the principal means of ventilation.
Their construction is faulty, and the huts are not such as to be conducive to health.
Ventilation and drainage.—The means of ventilation and drainage of the sepoys' huts and
lines respectively are not sufficient to preserve the air pure. Ventilation and drainage of guard
room are sufficient to preserve the air pure. There is a total absence of masonry drains in the
lines. This has been repeatedly represented, and I believe an estimate has been made for the
construction of masonry drains.
Nuisance .—The privies for the sepoys' families, which are nothing more than a very small
portion of the compound screened off, have, from want of impermeable flooring and proper
drainage, been kept in a more or less damp condition; also the little earthen tubs buried in the
ground for receiving sewage have frequently overflown and tainted the adjoining ground. When
proper masonry drains have been constructed the nuisances to a great extent will be removed.
Water-supply.—Water for cooking and drinking purposes obtained from the usual wells.
During the month of June there was a slight deficiency, but immediately on the rains setting in
there has been an abundance of water.
Ventilation
and drainage.
Nuisance.
Water
-supply.
Sanitary arrangements .—On the whole the sanitary arrangements in the lines as far as
possible have been carefully attended to. Proper drains and good impermeable flooring for the
privies for the use of the families are very great wants, and ought to be attended to as early as
possible.
Diet .—Provisions have been sufficient but not cheap; country vegetables had been sufficient
.
The Wing received compensation on account of dearness of rice.
Liquors .—Such of the men who drink take Aska rum, which is the spirit sold in the bazar
here, and is said to be good.
Clothing .—Clothing of the troops, with the exception of cap and boots, sufficient and adapted
to the climate.
Foot-soreness .—There has been foot-soreness from defective boots, and from the sepoy not
generally wearing socks when he wears boots.
Duty.—Duties do not appear to have had any prejudicial effect on the health of the Wing.
Drill.—The men have had in the morning an hour, or an hour and a half, or a little longer
drill according to the season of the year. The evening drills were not quite so long.
Exercises .—A few of the men take to gardening. There is also a gymnasium which all the
recruits attend.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Vaccination .—Vaccination has been well attended to. There were no cases of small-pox
among the men. Sixty-nine children were vaccinated during the year, 49 successful and 20 unsuc
-
cessful.
Epidemics.—Fever of an intermittent character was the prevailing disease and is due to
malaria. Out of a total of 357 admissions from all causes during the year, 121 cases or 33 per cent.
was due to this disease. Four cases of cholera occurred among the men during the year. This
disease, that commenced in November 1877 among the civil population, did not give over till
June last. Though not a severe epidemic, occasional cases continued, occurring now here and now
there till, as I have said above, the month of June, when the disease totally ceased.
Phthisis pulmonalis .—There were four cases of phthisis; all were attributable to hereditary
predisposition. Of other chest diseases there were but very few admissions.
Hospital ventilation.—Ventilation of the hospital was very satisfactory. No representation
respecting ventilation was made during the year. The hospital wards were not overcrowded
during the year. There are no masonry drains for the hospital. The surface water is carried
away by the natural configuration of the ground, and has been no source of nuisance during the
year. The dry-earth system is adopted in the latrines only so far as the solid excreta are
concerned. The urine and the wash water are carried away by asphalted drains into a tarred
tub placed in a cistern outside the latrine, and the contents of the tub is daily baled out.
Vaccination.
Epidemics.
Water-supply.—Water is brought from a well near the barrack guard, about quarter of a
mile away from hospital.
General conclusions.—The health of the Wing on the whole was very satisfactory. Comparing
the number of admissions this year with those of the year previous there is an increase of 126,
due principally to fever and rheumatism consequent on climatic changes. The agues were double
Water
-
supply.
General
conclusions.