61
MYSORE DIVISION.
compensation which was given to the troops for the dearness of rice, the sepoys would be likely
to buy the cheapest and worst kinds of food procurable, and in spite of all precautions adopted
against it, damaged grain found. its way into the bazaars in many places, and doubtless also into
the cooking pots of the sepoys.
(6.) Venereal diseases were more prevalent among the sepoys in Bangalore, but less so in
Bellary and Mercara than during the previous year.
The increase in Bangalore was principally among the Sappers and Miners, working parties of
which were frequently sent out into the districts without their families, and returned with a
good many cases of the disease. The 23rd and 36th Native Infantry had also a large number
of cases than usual, contracted from cooly women who were driven into the town by the pressure
of famine.
(7.) Rheumatism is another disease which added considerably to the admissions. It was
more prevalent in the hot and dry stations of Bellary and Kurnool than in Bangalore and Mercara.
A good deal of it was, I have no doubt, of malarious origin, and instances have come under
my own observation in which it yielded as readily and completely to quinine, as the paroxysms
of intermittent fever ; not a little of it also was probably of the kind which might not improperly
be called pension rheumatism'-a form of the disease almost peculiar to the sepoys, and for
which in most cases the only remedy is that indicated in its name.
(8.) Wounds and accidents show a high percentage of admission, but happily no deaths
under this head.
(9.) Diseases of the eyes were more prevalent than in the previous year. Catarrhal
ophthalmia occurs every year at the beginning of the rains, and is disseminated, if not
originated by the eye or mango flies which infest every house at that season of the year.
(10.) Abscesses and ulcers show a considerable decrease in every station except Kurnool.
This exception is doubtless due to the fact that the detachment at Kurnool was relieved during
the year, and as the men had to march from Gooty, the nearest Railway Station, a good many
cases of sore feet must have presented themselves. Diseases of the respiratory organs were
both less numerous and less fatal in both commands than in the previous year.
STATEMENT NO. VII.
Invaliding.
Diseases.
Pensioned or Discharged.
Ratio per Mille to all Invalided.
Mysore
Division.
Ceded
Districts.
Total.
Mysore
Division.
Ceded
Districts.
Total.
...
...
Agu e
...
...
1
2
3
27.77
62.50
44.12
...
Rheumatism
...
...
2
3
5
5 5 . 5 6
93.75
73.53
Secondary syphilis...
.
1
2
27.77
31.25
29.41
Leprosy
...
...
...
...
. . .
1
-
31.25
14.70
...
Dropsy
...
...
...
2
...
2
55.56
...
29.41
...
...
Epilepsy
......
1
...
1
27.77
...
14. 70
Dementia ......
...
...
1
...
1
27.77
...
14.70
Valvular disease of heart ...
1
1
2
27.77
31.25
29.41
Palpitation
...
......
. . .
1
. .
.
31.25
14.70
.
. .
...
Varicose veins
...
3
. .
.
3
83.33
-
44.12
Bronchitis
...
...
1
...
1
27.77
..
14.70
Pneumonia
...
...
. ..
1
...
1
27.77
14.70
Inguinal hernia
...
...
...
. . .
4
111:11
...
58.82
Diabetes
...
...
...
...
1
.. .
1
27.77
...
14.70
Ulcers
..,
...
...
...
. . .
3
83.33
...
44.12
Old age and debility,
...
...
12
20
32
3 3 3 . 3 3
625.00
470.58
Prematurely old and wornout
.,.
. .
1
27.77
...
1 4 . 7 0
Contusion ....
...
...
...
. . .
1
...
31.25
14.70
Wounds
...
...
...
...
1.
...
1
27.7
14.70
Unknown ...
...
...
..
...
2
I
...
62 . 50
29.41
36
32
68
. . .
. . .
. . .
16