Nuisance.
Water-
supply.
sanitary
arrangernents
Diet.
31
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1875 ..
.. Vizagapatam
..
41.69
2.52
1.96
1.68
2.10
1876 ..
.. Cuttack
. .
. .
55.02
2.66
.86
.43
2.30
1877
. .
..
Do
. .
. . 6 1 . 4 5 3.09
.58
.58
2.2
Average ..
52.72
2.75
1.13
.89
2.34
1878 ..
.. Cuttack
..
..
86.58
2.28
.87
..
.29
The following medical officers were in charge of this corps during the year,
Surgeon-Major C. R. G. Parker,
Surgeon G.T. Thomas,
the latter named of whom reports as follows :—
Climate of the station.—The year 1878 has been chiefly remarkable for its very hot season,
as was the case all over India. An average rainfall and a good cold season followed. The only
influence exercised on health and disease was that with the setting in of the cold weather an
extraordinary number of cases of ague were produced, but not of a serious nature.
Lines .—The position is not healthy, chiefly because it is low, and there is not the slightest
attempt at any kind of drainage ; there are not even small V-shaped drains running along the
rows of huts ; everything sinks into the ground in and around the huts ; the state of the sub-soil
can be imagined, saturated as it must be with the accumulated filth of years. The construction
of rooms is such as usually exists in Native lines. The houses appear to me to be very old and
more dilapidated than in most lines.
Ventilation and drainage
.
—
Ventilation, as in most Native lines, is deficient. The various
guard-rooms are in a satisfactory condition, well ventilated and drained. The state of the drainage
in the whole lines has been the subject of much correspondence, and has been mentioned in the
reports of the last few years. Two months ago a committee of officers sent in a report recom-
mending the removal of the lines altogether from their present situation and building new lines
in the old Mahratta fort to the north-west of the parade ground and close to the river. This
fort is surrounded by a wide and deep ditch, and if the difficulties connected -with the drainage
of the proposed lines and this ditch be overcome, the site would be a desirable one.
Nuisance.—There is a regimental latrine ; it was useless from its form of construction ; it is
now being rebuilt on a better principle.
Water-supply. —Satisfactory and abundant. Obtained from wells in the lines and from two
tanks close to the hospital ; one of the tanks is used only for bathing in. In the hot water these
tanks on drying give out a very offensive odour. On my recommendation measures were taken
to have them partly cleared out and dried.
Sanitary arrangements. —The lines are kept as clean as possible and all rubbish removed
daily, but serious sanitary defects exist as mentioned in paragraphs 3 and 4.
Diet.— The price of food has continued high during the whole of the year owing to large
quantities being exported and the unfavorable out-look at one time of the crops. Vegetables are
plentiful, especially in the cold seasons. There is a regimental garden. Compensation for dearness
of rice :—
Climate of the
station.
Lines.
Ventilation
and drainage.
1st Quarter
. .
..
. .
..
..
. .
. .
. .
RS. A. P.
1 8 0
2nd do.
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
.. 1 8 0
3rd do.
..
..
. . . .
. .
. .
..
. .
1 13 10
4th do.
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
. .
.. 1 13 9
The pay of the sepoy is quite insufficient to keep himself and his relations of every degree
in health. I consider the general physique of the men below the standard as evinced by their
anæmic and debilitated look, and the large number of men treated in hospital for debility.
Dearness of provisions throughout the year has probably been the chief cause.
Clothing. —The clothing has been sufficient and adapted to the climate. No recommendations Clothing
were necessary.
Foot-soreness.—A good many cases of foot-soreness occurred, especially after the issue of new Foot-soreness.
boots to the men in September, but most of the cases recovered quickly by being excused from
duty for three days on my certificate.