Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Nuisance.
DISTRICT OF MALABAR AND CANARA. 47
The following officers were in medical charge of this corps during the year,
Surgeon-Major J. Fitzgerald,
Surgeon Gerald Bomford (Bengal Medical Establishment),
Surgeon A. N. Rogers-Harrison,
the last-named of whom reports as follows:—
Climate of the Station .—The unusual heavy rainfall during the monsoon months caused
an increase in sickness from intermittent fever ; during the north-east monsoon many of the cases
of fever were of the simple continued type, and affections of the eye, digestive system, and
abscess were more common than during the warmer months.
Construction of huts .—The lines are old and of indifferent construction, the huts being
irregular in size, thatched with cocoanut tree leaves, and as usual are very dark and ill-ventilated,
as the doorway in the majority of the huts is the only way by which light or fresh air can
possibly enter.
Climate of the
-station.
Construction
of huts.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c .—The drainage of the lines and barracks
(armouries and guard rooms) is good. The ventilation of the guard rooms and cells is good,
but that of the men's huts is very indifferent, and the atmosphere in them at night time must
be unpleasantly close and far from pure.
Nuisance, none. It has been difficult to keep the hospital latrine clean on account of the
condition of the flooring, and this has been represented to the Commanding Officer, who has
communicated with the Public Works Department and the defect is to be remedied. In some
cases means exist for conducting the ablution water and urine from the yards of the huts into
the open earth drains on the outside; in others no such means exist, and in all cases most of the
ablution water and urine soak into the floors of the yards, but I have never observed any
objectionable odours accruing from this condition.
Water-supply .—Owing to the deficient rainfall during the south-west monsoon of 1876
the supply of water began to fail early in the year, and during the two months (April and May)
previous to the south-west monsoon of this year all the wells dried up, and water bad to be
procured from a distance.
Diet .—Food-grains were scarce and dear throughout the year owing to the general drought
throughout the Presidency during the greater part of the year ; excepting fish, almost all
provisions were dearer this year than usual. Vegetables were always obtainable, but were less
abundant than usual.
Clothing .—During the hot months from the end of February till the commencement of the
south-west monsoon in June the men Wear white angrikhas with cloth trousers ; during the
rest of the year cloth clothing is worn.
Water-
supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Foot soreness .—Since the 20th April 398 cases of "foot soreness" have been recorded.
The "soreness" is generally abrasion of the skin about the ankles, heels, insteps or toes
resulting from friction.
The men are fitted with boots and are enabled by a regimental fund to buy socks at a
nominal sum in order to prevent this ; but the men have objections to the wearing of the socks,
and the majority of the men do not do so, consequently the amount of foot soreness.
Duty .—Ordinary regimental parades and guards, garrison guards, and, during the last six
months, a guard for the Cannanore Jail alternately with the 9th Regiment M.N.I. The average
number of nights in bed per week, 6.03.
Foot soreness.
Duty.
Drill .—Adjutant's drill for recruits in the evening from 4-30 P.M. to 5-30 P.M., four
times a week, and also morning drills between 6 A.M. and 7 A.M. five times a week except
during the hot weather and south-west monsoon.
Exercises.—There is a regimental cricket club and a small gymnasium used by a few men,
but the game of cricket is more preferred.
Vaccination .—All the men have been vaccinated or bear marks of previous small-pox.
44 recruits were vaccinated during the year, 8 of whom bore marks of small-pox and afforded 6
modified results and 2 failures ; of 12 bearing doubtful marks of small-pox, 3 cases were
successful, 4 modified, and 5 failed ; of 24 bearing neither marks of small-pox nor vaccination, 7
were successful, 13 modified, and 4 failed. The majority of the children and followers living in
the lines have been vaccinated.
Drill.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
Epidemic .—Cholera broke out in the old town of Cannanore in March, and many cases
occurred during April and May, at which time a few sporadic cases occurred within the bazaars
in Cantonment limits, but no cases occurred in the regimental lines (26th Regiment M.N.I.),
though diarrhœa was prevalent among the families at that time. The diarrhoea was probably
due to the scarcity of water at that time ; soon after the commencement of the south-west
Epidemic.