43
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
3 7 t h R e g i m e n t N a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
STATION—PALAMCOTTAH.
Arrived from Madras on the 12th January and 21st February 1877.
Average strength
... ... ...
...
...
... ... 698
Do.
do
present
...
... ... ... ... ...
612
Admissions
... ... ... ... ... ...
...
... 238
Daily sick
...
...
...
... ...
...
...
...
9
Deaths in hospital
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
1
Do. out of do.
... ... ... ... ... ...
...
3
Pensioned
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sick leave
...
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
7
•
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.
1874
... Madras
...
...
74.88
2.84
1.45
1.59
2.75
1875
...
Do.
...
...
56.55
2.81
.98
4.65
14.24
1876
...
Do.
... ...
50.35
1.72
1.63
1 . 4 9
2.03
Average ...
60.59
2.45
5
2.57
6.34
1877
... Palamcottah
...
38.88
1.47
.57
...
1.00
The following officers held medical charge of this corps during the year,
Surgeon A. L. Hackett,
Surgeon F. H. Pedroza, A.B.,
Sur geon- Maj or A. McCl or g, M. B. ,
the last-named of whom reports as follows :—
Climate of the station.—In December the rainfall was extremely heavy and caused consi-
derable floods throughout the station. Malarious fever is the principal disease, and is most
prevalent during the last quarter of the year.
Climate of
the station.
Natural features.— The general aspect of the country is flat, with small hills here and there.
To the north and west of the station the plain extends for several miles, and is irrigated by cuts
from the Tambaravany River, which runs through the district. The soil contains a large amount
of red sand owing to the presence of iron. There are numerous wells, the water being usually
near the surface. There are no marshes. A large number of palmyra trees grow in the district.
The principal productions are rice, cotton, ragi, cholum, and other dry crops.
Natural
features.
If regiment has been on the march.— The Head-quarters and Right Wing of the regiment left
Madras on 10th December 1877 and proceeded by rail to Palamcottah, arriving on the 13th
January 1877. The Left Wing proceeded by sea to Tuticorin, and thence by rail, arriving here
on the 21st February 1877. Two fatal cases of cholera occurred amongst the followers on board-
ship, but the disease did not spread among the regiment.
If regiment
has been on
the march.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c.—T h e
m e a n s o f v e n t i l a t i o n i n t h e b a r r a c k
and guard-rooms are sufficient, but not in the huts in the regimental lines. During the
late heavy monsoon the lower or north end of the lines was flooded for two days by the overflow
of a tank situated near, and rather above the level of this part of the lines.
Nuisance.—There are two regimental latrines, one for each wing, made by enclosing portions
of ground with mud walls, and dividing the interior space into two equal compartments, one
for males, the other for females. Owing to there being no roof over either latrine, it is
impossible to carry out the dry-earth system in an efficient manner.
Nuisance.
Water-supply .— Owing to the heavy monsoon the water has been abundant in all the wells ;
the quality is good.
Water-supply.