Climate of the
station.
If regiment
has been on
the march.
Lines.
Ventilation
and drainage.
Nuisance .—None.
Nuisance..
Water-supply.
Diet.
Duty.
Drill.
Exercises.—N one.
Exercises.
Phthisis
pulmonalis.
Hospital
ventilation.
Drainage and
latrines.
Water-supply.
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
33
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1875 ..
.. Tonghoo
..
.. 141.29
5.47
3.24
.58
3.38
1876 ..
.. Do.
..
. .
90.65
3.50
1.91
1.26
8.13
1877 ..
..
Do.
. .
..
93.90
2.28
1.52
1.67
7.01
Average .. 108.61
3.75
2.22
1.17
6.17
1878 ..
.. Vizianagram ..
..
68.40
2.60
1.36
11.64
1.05
Surgeon T. C. H. Spencer was in medical charge of this corps during the year
and reports as follows :—
Climate of the station.—Characterized by an exceptionally hot season and a very heavy
rainfall, the average rainfall being 45 inches ; during the year over 60 inches have fallen. The
excessive rain has been productive of ague and dysentery.
If regiment has been on the march. —The regiment embarked at Rangoon on 31st January
and landed at Bimlipatam on the 6th of February 1878.
Lines.—The men are hutted in the usual manner. The huts are badly constructed, badly
ventilated, and overcrowded.
Ventilation and drainage. —The guard-rooms, cells, &c., are well ventilated and drained. No
defects observed.
Water-supply. —During the hot season water was scarce ; since the setting in of the rainy
season the supply has been plentiful, quality fair ; the supply is from wells.
Diet.—During the early part of the year provisions were scarce and consequently dear,
vegetables hardly to be obtained. Since the abundant fall of rain things have improved. The
men have received compensation for dearness of rice. The men ration themselves. The pay of a
sepoy is sufficient to keep himself and small family in good health, but it is generally the case
each man has 5, 6 and 7 persons to support on his pay. Thus being unable to obtain proper
nourishment and suitable cloths for the rainy and cold seasons, men often come to hospital
suffering from ague induced by want of suitable nourishment.
Clothing. —As often previously observed and reported upon, the dress of the Madras sepoy
is not a suitable one ; thick black serge as trousers is eminently distasteful in the hot season, and
the ordinary forage cap affords little or no protection from the sun.
Foot-soreness. —There were two cases of foot-soreness during the year 1878 from badly fitting
boots, requiring rest. There are always some minor cases which only require the men being
excused from wearing boots for a few days.
Duty.—The duties at this station are very light ; there are only the usual regimental guards ;
the usual parades and drills have taken place. Average number of nights in bed per week 6.2.
Drill.—One hour per diem, generally from 5-45 to 6-45. The influence of drills on health is
most satisfactory.
Clothing.
Foot-soreness.
Vaccination. —Owing to the prevalence of small-pox in the Native town and district during
the hot season the regiment has been undergoing re-vaccination. Three-fourths of the men
have been operated upon ; the greater number of the cases have been unsuccessful owing to the men
having been previously vaccinated. The regiment has been free from small-pox during the year.
Epidemics.—The prevailing diseases have been ague and dysentery. Ague is probably
produced by drinking impure water (as Natives generally do), also by cold and exposure from
being too lightly clad in the rainy season ; dysentery is also produced in the same way. Ague
has been of the quotidian and tertian variety ; dysentery, with the exception of 2 cases, of a mild
type. There were 4 cases of cholera during the year (sporadic) ; all recovered.
Phthisis pulmonalis. —The few cases of chest diseases that have occurred were induced by
generally bad health and debility, and not from any defective sanitary arrangements.
Hospital ventilation .—Ventilation has been perfect. There has been no overcrowding.
Drainage and latrines. —Very satisfactory. The dry-earth system is carried out.
Water-supply. —Water is obtained from an adjacent well, which is pure and wholesome.
Vaccination.
Epidemics.
9