Climate of
the station.
Diseases of
the district.
Ventilation.
and drainage
of the men's
guard-rooms,
& c .
Water-
supply.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Hospital
drainage and
latrines.
General conclusions.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
37
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength
A d m i s s i o n s .
D a i l y S i c k .
A l l D e a t h s .
P e n s i o n e d .
S i c k L e a v e .
1874
Trichinopoly
1 6 3 · 4 8
2 · 7 7
1 · 7 3
4 · 7 6
2 · 8 8
1875
Do.
8 1 · 7 2
2 · 7 6
1 · 7 6
4 · 2 5
4 · 5 5
1876
D o .
7 3 · 1 9
2 · 8 2
2 · 0 4
2 · 9 1
2 · 9 1
A v e r a g e
1 0 6 · 1 3
2 · 7 8
1 · 8 4
3 · 9 7
3 · 4 4
1877
Trichinopoly
6 4 · 3 4
2 · 6 6
1 · 4 6
3 · 9 4
3 · 5 0
Surgeon-Major T. G. Howell was in medical charge of this corps during the
year and reports as follows:—
Climate of the station. —The climate of the station may be classed as hot and dry, marked,
except at the close of the present year, by the absence of the usual rainfall, which, however, has
been made up for during the latter months.
Diseases of the district .—The diseases of the district are those common, as a rule, to all
Indian stations, dysentery, diarrhœa, fevers, and rheumatism having been prevalent, duri
ng the year. Cholera has been present in same parts of the, di
strict.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's guard-rooms, &c.—The cleanliness of the guard
-rooms and cell is regularly attended to, and they are also well ventilated. The drainage too is
good.
Water-supply .—The water-supply is obtained from wells, and of good quality from only
two of these, the remainder being somewhat brackish. The supply during the past year, owing
to the absence of rainfall in the average quantity, has been at times barely sufficient.
Sanitary arrangements.—The sanitary arrangements have been well attended to, and no local
cause of disease allowed to remain. The men's huts in the regimental lines are, however, in a
very unsatisfactory state.
Diet.—Owing to the absence of the customary rainfall and its effects on the growth,
of crops in general, provisions of all kinds, including vegetables, have been far from plentiful
and very dear.
Clothing.
Clothing. —The clothing has been sufficient and adapted to the climate.
Duty and
exercises.
Duty and exercises.—This, which consists of the ordinary guard duty, is necessarily light,
owing to there being three native regiments quartered at this station, and does not appear
to have been prejudicial to the health of the men.
The average number of nights per week the men have had in bed have been: havildars 5,
naigues 4, privates 4¼.
Drill .—During the drill season, which extends from the 15th October till the 15th April,
the daily amount of drill averages about one hour morning and evening between the hours
of 5-45 and 7 A.M. and 4-30 and 6 P.M. Drill takes place in this period five days a week.
Vaccination has been strictly carried out in the corps both as regards the sepoys and
their families. Revaccination was tried in several instances, but successfully so in few. 238
cases were vaccinated during the year, of which 201 were successful. There was only 1
admission for small-pox.
Epidemic. —The admissions from each of the diseases alluded to have been less than in
the preceding year, and neither of them can fairly be said to have assumed an epidemic form
in the regimental lines.
Hospital ventilation. —The ventilation of the hospital continues defective. The subject
has been repeatedly reported upon. Overcrowding is prevented by the use of hospital tents,
which are always available.
Drill.
Vaccination.
Epidemic.
Hospital
ventilation.
Hospital drainage and latrines .—The latrines are in good order, and the earth sewage
efficiently carried out. The drainage is attended to and kept clean.
General conclusions. —The general health of the corps, judging from the number admitted
during the past year, has on the whole been better than in the preceding year, but numbers
of the men, though not under treatment, appear weakly and out of health, doubtless occasioned
by impoverished diet, the result of the scarcity and prevailing high prices of provisions.
10