Hospital
ventilation.
Hospital
drainage.
Hospital
water-supply.
Nuisance.
Water
- s uppl y.
Sanitary
arrange
- m e n t s .
Diet.
Liquors.
Clothing.
Drills.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
Epidemic.
Hospital
ventilation.
116
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
by the bad sanitary arrangements which existed in many parts of the town. No epidemic
occurred in the cantonment during the year.
Hospital ventilation has been very good. There has been no overcrowding.
Hospital drainage was good. The new latrine is not yet complete.
Hospital water-supply is good and abundant.
General
conclusions.
General conclusions .—Nothing of importance occurred during the year. The total number
of admissions into hospital during the year was 129, and total number of deaths in hospital 0.
Four men were recommended for sick leave and five men for pension. Ague of a mild type
was the chief disease from which the men suffered, and there were 48 cases of it. There were
9 cases of dysentery and 2 cases of small-pox. The health of the men has been better on the
whole during the year than it was last year.
WING 15TH REGIMENT N.I.
Climate of
the station.
Natural
features.
Position of
barracks.
Climate of the station .—The climate is hot and moist, but very equable. The hottest
month is May, except towards the end of the month when the rains commence. January and
February are the coolest months, when north-easterly winds prevail. The rainfall for the year
was 114.82 inches, which is slightly in excess of the average for the six preceding years. The
climate is very healthy.
Natural features.—The surface of the country is very irregular and hilly, and the uncleared
land is covered with dense luxurious tropical growth. The interior is intersected by ravines and
nullahs which terminate occasionally in mangrove swamps. The coast is often low and marshy.
The soil consists of green felspar intersected by silicate formations. The cultivated soil is very
fertile, and produces rice, maize, and many kinds of vegetables and fruits.
Position of barracks .—The buildings occupied by the detachment on Ross, Viper, and
Navy Bay are well situated on elevated ground with good aspects, and exposed to the prevailing
winds. On Aberdeen the barracks stand on a low eminence partly surrounded by sea, marshy
ground; intermittent fever was very prevalent there, especially towards the close of the rainy
season.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c .—The means of ventilation and drainage are
sufficient, but no attempt has been made to improve the condition of the marshy ground in the
vicinity of Aberdeen barracks, save cultivating it with paddy.
Nuisance .—None.
Water-supply is obtained from wells and tanks; it is ample during the rainy season, but
occasionally limited during the dry season; the quality is good.
Sanitary arrangements have been properly attended to with the exception of Aberdeen where
the marshy ground in the vicinity of the barracks appears to be a fertile source of malaria.
Diet.—Provisions are cheap as a rule, and the supply is equal to the demand. The troops
are victualled by the Commissariat Department. Each man can purchase 4 pounds of mutton a
month at the reduced rate of 2 Annas 6 Pies per lb. The dieting of the troops has been
sufficiently nutritive.
Liquors .—Rum only, of good quality.
Clothing worn by the men is made of black cotton drill supplied by private regimental
arrangement, and is adapted to the climate.
Foot soreness.
Foot soreness .—None.
Duty.
Duty.—The
ordinary duties of troops in garrison not prejudicial to health. Average
number of nights in bed
Ross Island . . .
5.26
Ab er deen . . .
7.47
Navy Bay . . .
5.12
Viper Island . . .
6.16
Drills leave no prejudicial effect on health.
Exercises.—None
except the station athletic sports which take place twice a year, and in
which the men of the detachment take part. In view of the paucity of amusements and means
of exercise, boats or large canoes ought to be supplied for the use of the Native troops. Ample
means exist for boating exercise, but no boats are supplied.
Vaccination.—No vaccination has been performed during the year; no cases of small-pox
have occurred.
Epidemic.—No epidemic disease prevailed.
Hospital ventilation ample, both natural and artificial. The hospital on Ross Island has
been frequently overcrowded, especially when ague was prevalent. No representations were
made.