16
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Food.
Mortality.
Alleged
causes of
sickness and
mortality.
Food.—On this subject some Medical Officers have complained that many of the sepoys,
notwithstanding rice compensation allowed for dearness of rice, have had insufficient to eat!
Not that their pay was unequal to the purchase of the food necessary for themselves and their
immediate families, but that it had to cover the cost of feeding many dependent relatives as well!
A system of rationing has been suggested as a remedy, but it is doubtful if it would prevent
the evil brought to notice.
Mortality. —The deaths both in and out of hospital have been 84 in an average strength
of 3,610, so that the rate has been 23.27 per mille—a notable increase upon the death-rate
of 1876, accounted for by the increased amount of sickness and mortality in all sections of the
population, which have characterised the dismal famine year of 1877.
Alleged causes of sickness and mortality.— Famine and drought have told unfavorably on
the health of the troops in this district during the year 1877, as well as on that of other parts of
the community.
In a strength of 3,609 there were 54 deaths in and 30 out of hospital, making 23.27 per
mille, which are 9.39 in excess of the previous year. And as 2,140 have been admitted under
treatment, and among them 54 have died, it is clear that both the prevalence of disease and
its fatality have increased on the year 1876 when 1,670 cases were admitted and 28 died. The
death-rate of 1877 was 2.52, and that of 1876 1.67, i.e., 85 less in the earlier year.
In some of the regiments Medical Officers have pointed to the large number of dependent
followers of many of the sepoys as necessarily reducing them to great straits in such a season
of scarcity, and Surgeon Power, of the 13th Regiment N.I., suggests a system of rationing as
the remedy. It is doubtful if such a measure would prove a remedy even if it were practicable,
which it is not.
Frequent cases of foot soreness in some corps point to the necessity of better-fitting boots,
which would render unnecessary the wearing of socks, an expensive article, recommended by
some Surgeons.
The lines of the regiment at Vepery are still the opprobrium they have long been repre-
sented as being; and those at Palaveram continue altogether insufficient, as well as inferior.
H i s G r a c e t h e G o v e r n o r ' s B o d y G u a r d .
Climate of
the station.
STATION—MADRAS.
Average strength
120
Do. do. present
113
Admissions
111
Daily sick
3
Deaths in hospital
1
Do. out of do.
1
Pensioned
4
Sick leave
2
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
48.81
2.36
. . .
...
3.84
1875
Do.
59.84
3.14
.76
3.07
2.30
1876
Do.
73.00
3.00
.80
5.00
4.16
Average
60.55
2.83
.52
2.69
3.43
1877
Madras
98.23
2.65
1.66
3.33
1.66
Surgeon-Major S. B. Hunt was in medical charge of this corps during the
Year and reports as follows:—
Climate of the station. —During the greater portion of the year the climate of Madras has
been unusually hot and dry, and great scarcity has prevailed in consequence. The influence
of the climate on health and disease was unfavorable.