Water-
supply.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
Duty and
exercises.
Vaccination.
Hospital
ventilation.
Overcrowding
of hospital.
Drainage.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
110
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Climate of the
station.
Natural
features of the
district.
Climate of the station.—At Trichinopoly the climate was as usual. In Thayetmyo it varied
from preceding years in the rainfall being considerably under the average, and the monsoon may
be described as having consisted of showers continuing for a few days and followed by dry, hot
weather for about a week or ten days. These variations did not appear to have any ill-effect on
the health of the native troops, but caused a good deal of mild fevers and lack of energy amongst
Europeans.
Natural features of the district.— Thayetmyo is situated on the right bank of the river
Irrawaddy on undulating ground. It is surrounded by jungle. To the south-west is a range
of moderately high hills, and to the north of the cantonment is some marshy ground. The soil
is mostly gravelly and unproductive. Mammalian bones and land shells are found in it.
The waters are mostly indifferent. A little paddy and garden produce are grown in the neigh-
bourhood.
Diseases of
the district.
If regiment
has been on
the march.
Diseases of the district.— Severe epidemics of cholera have occurred on several occasions,
but last year there were only a few cases in the station and the native troops escaped. Malarious
fevers are always prevalent, but only to a moderate extent. Beri-beri is said to occur : two
sepoys presented symptoms of it. Leprosy is found amongst the civil population. The other
diseases are those that are found almost everywhere in India.
If regiment has been on the march.— The regiment was on ship board from the 12th to the
19th March whilst en route from Negapatam to Rangoon.
Ventilation of
the men's
guard-rooms,
&c.
Clothing.
Foot-soreness.
Ventilation of the men's guard-rooms, &c.— As regards Thayetmyo barracks, the ventilation.
is ample in respect to the size of the buildings, but the men were so crowded together that I
doubt if even the plentiful supply of air provided was sufficient to preserve the atmosphere pure
or to remove organic vapor. It is probable that in these barracks the sepoy lives in purer air
than in India in his little hut with his family or relations ; but still an average of about 400
cubic feet and 34 superficial feet per man cannot be considered sufficient on hygienic principles.
The drainage was fairly good, but could be improved if masonry drains were constructed.
Water-supply.--The water-supply was derived chiefly from wells and was abundant ; quality
good.
Sanitary arrangements.— The sanitary arrangements were properly attended to. No known
local cause of disease.
Diet.—At Trichinopoly provisions were dear on account of the famine. In Burmah the
usual exorbitant prices for everything. Vegetables plentiful in each of the stations.
The majority of Madras sepoys do not get sufficient food, and in Trichinopoly the famine
made matters worse.
In Burmah the usual rations as follows :—
Rice
.... .. .. .. .. .. ..
1b. 2
Dholl
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
oz. 3
Salt
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
drs. 12
Ghee
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
oz. 2
Tobacco
..
..
..
..
.. .. .. ..
oz. 1
Turmeric
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
drs. 2
were given. It is ample as regards quantity, but deficient in proteids ; it is scarcely to be expected
that sepoys will remedy this defect out of their own pockets, for fish is dear, mutton exorbitant,
and, although beef is more reasonable in price, yet it is more expensive than in India, and many
would not eat it.
Clothing.— The clothing has been sufficient and was varied according to the season of
the year.
Foot-soreness.—The admissions from this cause were not numerous. It would be an
improvement if socks and good English-made ammunition boots were supplied.
Duty and exercises.— The usual guard-mounting and parades were not prejudicial to health..
The average number of nights in bed was 4.34.
Vaccination.—Precautions were taken to have all the sepoys and their families brought
under the protective influence of vaccination. No small-pox.
Hospital ventilation .—Ventilation sufficient.
Overcrowding of hospital.—The hospital at Trichinopoly was so small that overcrowding
was the rule rather than the exception. In Thayetmyo the hospital is all that can be desired.
Drainage.— Good. The earth-sewage system was properly attended to in both stations.
Hospital water-supply.—The supply in both stations abundant.
General conclusions.—The admissions into hospital were slightly more numerous than in
1877 and considerably more so than in the three years preceding the latter, but some little
allowance must be made for native commissioned officers being for the first time included in the
general total of the regimental sick. The average daily sick was less than in 1877 when it