Climate of
the station.
Whether
regiment has
been on the
march.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
Exercises.
Epidemic.
31
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
Surgeon E. A. Dalgairns was in medical charge of this corps during the year
and reports as under : —
Climate of the station. —The climate during 1877 has been very exceptional. From the
failure of both the south-west and north-east monsoons the rainfall has been much below the
average, but this does not seem to have had any injurious influence on the health of the troops.
Whether regiment has been on the march.—The detachment which proceeded to Cocanada
in December 1876 remained there till the 21st June 1877. On the 21st June 1877 three other
detachments were sent to the Godavery District owing to the famine riot there. A detachment,
consisting of 122 strength, was stationed at Rajahmundry, and 60 men at each of the places,
Ellore and Juggiapett. These detachments returned to head-quarters in November and
December 1877.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's hats, &c. —The drainage of the lines is very bad ;
there are three V-shaped masonry drains passing through the main street leading from the
wells to the main drain on the public road. There are no independent drains from any of the
huts, and on account of this all the sewage and other impurities must naturally percolate into
the loose sandy soil on which the huts are built.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Nuisance. —No public latrines in the lines for the use of the men. Each hut has an
enclosure which is used as a latrine. The excreta and urine are passed on the ground, and
owing to there being no drains to allow of the escape of urine and latrine-washing water, they
must therefore all soak into the floors of the compounds, which cannot be considered a healthy
condition. The latrine attached to the guard-room is kept clean.
Water-supply obtained from Dhoby's Pettah. The water is good and plentiful during
the year.
Nuisance.
water-supply.
Sanitary arrangements. —The conservancy of the lines is carefully attended to ; the sweepings
from each hut are carried away by the sweepers employed to some distance from the lines.
Diet. —No rations are supplied to the men; but each man receives rice money, the amount
depending upon the price at the time. The prices of all kinds of provisions were very high during
the year. For a few days it was very difficult for the men to procure any rice for themselves
and family owing to very large quantities being exported to the Southern Districts during the
famine and no grain being brought into the station.
The men provide themselves with provisions and no doubt, owing to the dearness of all
kinds of grain, the sepoys, particularly those having large families depending on them, are
under-fed.
Clothing of the troops has been sufficient and adapted to the climate. During the cold
season woollen clothing was worn, and in the hot weather, white.
Foot soreness. —Men have occasionally come to hospital with blistered feet caused by
clumsy and ill-fitting boots. Such men are excused from wearing boots for a few days until
the blisters heal.
Duty. —This has had no injurious effect on the health of the men. The average number
of nights in bed five.
Clothing.
Foot soreness.
Duty.
Drill. —During the drill season there were on an average ten morning and evening parades
during the week. The hours of parade were morning from 6 to 7 o'clock, evening from
5 to 6 o'clock. The men below fifteen years' service were also practised in morning drill.
Exercises. —The men have their own private gymnasium in the lines, but very few of t
he
recruits and young soldiers attend. Of late a few of the men have taken to crickets.
Epidemic. —Several cases of cholera occurred in various parts of the town, and also in the
jail. On the 28th June cholera appeared badly in the jail, and on the same day a case appeared
in our lines among the families which proved fatal. The total number of cases which occurred
in our lines was eight, one sepoy being attacked who recovered; all the other cases were among
the families. There were two deaths from this disease. The other case of cholera shown in
the return occurred in the detachment on its march from Rajahmundry ; the patient was
convalescent on his arrival at head-quarters.
Hospital ventilation. —The hospital is a spacious building, and in good state of repair.
All the wards well ventilated. There has been no overcrowding during the year. In the two
wards there is sufficient accommodation for thirty beds, and the average daily sick for the year
was 17.09.
Hospital drainage is very good. Several V-shaped drains are constructed to carry away all
surplus water, &c. The latrine is kept clean and dry earth is used, and the place coal-tarred
thoroughly.
Drill.
Hospital
ventilation.
Hospital
drainage.