Any nuisance.
Water-
supply.
Sanitary
arrangement.
Diet.
Clothing.
Foot-soreness.
Duty and
exercises.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
Epidemic
diseases.
Hospitals.
Hospital
drainage.
Hospital
water-supply
General
conclusions.
30
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
of the lines. There are no drains whatever to any of the houses to carry away the sewage and other
impurities, and consequently these are allowed to percolate into the loose sandy soil on which the
lines are built.
Any nuisance.—There are no latrines or urinals attached to the lines. The occupant of each
hut has a small enclosure at the back of his hut which is used as a latrine by his family. These
places are kept clean by sweepers employed by them, but on account of their bad construction and
the want of drainage from these enclosures, the urine and latrine washing water soak into the
ground and cause a nuisance which cannot be considered a healthy condition. The latrine
attached to guard-room is kept clean ; tar and dry earth used.
Water-supply.—Drinking water obtained from the same wells in Dhoby's Pettah as
previous year.
Sanitary arrangement.— The conservancy of the lines is carried out by the regimental
authorities.
Diet.—The prices of all provisions during the greater part of the year have been very high
owing to the late famine ; after the south-west monsoon cumbu and raggi became cheap but
rice still kept up its price. Vegetables were plentiful during the season. As the Madras sepoy
has invariably a large family to support on the pay he gets, he could not possibly, with the high
prices he had to give for the common necessaries of life, have been able to obtain sufficient
nutritive and varied food to preserve himself and family in a state of perfect health.
Clothing.—The clothing of the troops has been sufficient and adapted to the climate.
During the cold season woollen clothing was worn and white in the hot weather.
Foot-soreness.— Owing to the bad fitting boots there have been several cases of blistered
feet ; in these cases the men are excused wearing boots for a few days.
Duty and exercises.— The usual regimental parades, guard mounting, and annual musketry
instruction. The men below 16 years' service are also practised in running drill. The duties
performed have had no injurious effect in the health of the men.
The average number of nights in bed 6 per week.
Excercises.— The
men have a gymnasium but it is very little used ; they seem to take a liking
for cricket, and are encouraged in this sport by the officers.
Vaccination—Vaccination is kept up both among the men and their families.
Epidemic diseases. — There were no epidemics of cholera or small-pox during the year ;
although cholera was both in the jail and villages surrounding the lines, still there were no cases
among the men and their families.
Hospitals.
—Hospital well ventilated. Some small repairs required to be made after the heavy
fall of rain we have had. There has been no overcrowding in the hospital during the year.
Hospital drainage.
—
Drainage of hospital very good. The latrine is kept clean and dry earth
used ; the place is also coal-tarred when required.
Hospital water-supply.— Water- supply same as previous years from wells in Dhoby's
Pettah.
General conclusions.— The total treated during the year was 495. There were four deaths
from the following causes : anæmia 1, aneurism of aorta 1, general debility 1, and dyspepsia 1.
12th Regiment Native Infantry.
STATION—CUTTACK.
Arrived from Vizianagram on the 12th March 1876.
Average strength
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
685
Do.
do. present . .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
656
Admissions
..
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
568
Daily sick
..
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
15
Deaths in hospital
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
2
Do. out of hospital
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
4
Pensioned ..
..
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
..
Sick leave ..
..
. .
. .
. . . .
. .
. .
. .
2
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years :―