HYDERABAD SUBSIDIARY FORCE.
81
" I may premise by stating that I only held medical charge of the companies for about six
weeks, from 18th November to 31st December 1878.
" The chief cause I think is to be found in the insalubrity of the lines, for on inspection
of the men by my predecessor about 75 per cent. of them were found to be suffering from
anæmia, ague, and enlarged spleen, and they were consequently reported unfit for duty. The
heavy and continuous rain and the defective construction of the huts told with even greater
severity on the families of the men than upon themselves.
" Despite the improved circumstances as regards housing, dieting, and medical treatment
under which the men were when in hospital, 8 of them succumbed.
" Their wives and children, without these aids to recovery, suffered in much larger
proportion.
" The defects in the men's huts have been noticed in previous annual reports, and I believe
the Public Works Department are surveying and inspecting the lines at present in view to
carrying out improvements. When the lines are rendered more healthy by drainage and better
construction of huts, it is believed the death-rate may be reduced."
I have already expressed my opinion that the lines are unhealthily situated, and as the drainage
and construction of the huts is much the same in all the Native lines, I think that bad position
is one of the chief causes, and possibly the habits and castes of the Sappers is another. Further
information obtained from all stations where Sappers are stationed may throw additional light on
this subject.
The death-rates among the other corps are high, and may be put down to the unusual
inclemency of the year.
European Commissioned Officers.—With an average annual strength of 44.83 European Com-
missioned Officers during the year, 22 were admitted on the sick report. One death occurred
from enteric fever ; the history and progress of the case were duly submitted to the Surgeon-General.
Having been only a short period at Secunderabad at the date this report is due, it is deficient
in many points that a longer residence would have enabled me to report on.
European
Commissioned
Officers.
1st Regiment Light Cabalrg
STATION—SECUNDERABAD.
Arrived from Kamptee 6th February 1873.
Average strength
. .
.. ..
..
.. ..
..
318
Do.
do.
present
.. ..
..
.. .. ..
313
Admissions
.. .. .. .. .. .. ..
..
239
Daily sick
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
5
Deaths in hospital
.. .. .. .. .. ..
..
1
Do. out of hospital
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
Pensioned
.. ..
..
..
.. .. ..
..
..
Sick leave
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
2
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Stations .
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1875 ..
.. Secunderabad
. .
54.95
1.48
.98
2.94
.98
1876 ..
..
Do.
..
..
57.60
1.38
..
. .
.45
1877 ..
..
Do.
..
..
75.32
1.60
.94
.31
.63
Average ..
62.62
3.48
.64
1.08
.68
1878 ..
.. Secunderabad
. .
76.35
1.59
.31
. .
.62
The following medical officers were in medical charge of this corps during the
year :
Surgeon J. G. Collis, M.D.,
Surgeon-Major J. M. Donnelly, M.D.,
the latter of whom reports as follows
21