If regiment
has been on
the march.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Drill.
Exercises
Vaccination.
Epidemic.
124
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Nuisance.
Water.
supply.
Diet.
Clothing
Foot
soreness.
Daly.
the ten preceding years was 56.01. Fevers have not been so prevalent as in former years ;
otherwise it does not seem to have influenced the general health of the people.
If regiment has been on the march. —Regiment has been absent at the Imperial Assem-
blage, Delhi, from 4th November 1876 until the 13th February 1877. Health of the men
remained remarkably good during this time.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c. —The ventilation of the guard-room is
good. The huts are low, and in most of them the only means of ventilation is the door about 3
feet high, but a great deal of ventilation is effected through the roof which in all the huts is
composed. of badly-fitting tiles, and in many huts I have noticed a space open between the roof
and walls. The drainage of the lines is the natural surface which, owing to the slightly-
sloping nature of the ground, suffices to carry off storm water rapidly. Waste water is prevented
running into the drains and percolating the soil by its falling into an earthen vessel placed
w i t h i n a l a r g e r t i n
Nuisance. —The public and private latrines have been well looked after, dry earth or ashes
freely used as deodorants, refuse removed frequently and buried in trenches about 500 yards
from the lines; these trenches are yearly cultivated over.
water-supply.—water for the regiment is obtained from deep masonry wells in the lines ;
the quality has been good.
Diet.—Provisions of all sorts have been slightly dearer during the past year than formerly,
owing to the larger exportation of grain to famine districts ; however the supply was good and
abundant, so also as regards vegetables. Men received compensation, Rupees 3-5-2, on account
of the dearness of rice.
Clothing well adapted to the duties and climate.
Foot soreness.—The amount of foot soreness in a Cavalry corps is very slight ; the boots of
the men fit well.
Duty. —The usual of a Cavalry corps, viz., brigades, ordinary parades, musketry, guards,
&c., by no means excessive, nor injurious to men's health.
The number of nights in bed at head-quarters was 4.13. The number of nights in bed at
detachment, J ubbulpore, 4.21.
Drill.—The drills take place for an hour or so morning and evening during the season, and
do not act injuriously on health.
Exercises.—The men have a good-sized garden which gives occupation to a considerable
number of them. Annual games as tent-pegging, &c., are carried on in this regiment ; the
practice for the same affords a. certain amount of exercise.
Vaccination.—All men including all recruits are protected by vaccination. No case of
small-nox has for years occurred either among the men or followers.
Epidemic.—The only disease that prevails to any extent in this station is fever, chiefly
paroxysmal ; they give rise to nearly 50 per cent. of all admissions into hospital, due entirely to
climatic causes, come on after the cessation of the rains, and continue while the air and soil
remain moist. I attribute them to malarious exhalations from soil ; there are no marshes or
other sources. of miasm near station.
Hospital
ventilation.
Hospital
drainage and
latrines.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
Hospital ventilation. —The hospital is ventilated by 12 doors and 12 large ventilators neat
roof which admit ample fresh air into all parts of this ward.
Hospital drainage and latrines.—The natural surface drainage round the hospital is good
owing to the sloping nature of the ground. The hospital latrines are conducted strictly on the
dry-earth system.
Hospital water-supply. —Water from the hospital is obtained from a new well in the
compound, of excellent quality, and ample in quantity.
General conclusions.—The health of the regiment has been good ; there has been no
epidemic, nor severe prevalence of disease of any sort. One case of cholera occurred, but owing
to precautionary measures taken it did not extend further. The admissions into hospital 319
have been 4 in excess of last year, but the strength of the regiment has increased by recruiting
from 260 in January to 319 in December.
The following table will show at a glance the sickness and mortality of last year compared
with the four preceding years :—
Years.
Average Strength.
Total
Admissions.
Total
Deaths.
Average
Daily Sick.
Ratio per
cent
. of Sick
to Strength.
Ratio per
cent. of
Deaths to
Strength.
1873 ...
...
... 296.52
161
5
4.06
1.36
1.68
1874 ...
...
... 292.24
295
4
8.59
2.93.
1.36
1875
...
...
. . . 271.44
263
4
7.68
3.19
1.47
1876 ...
...
. . . 252.17
315
4
8.86
3.51
1.58
1877
...
...
... 293.03
3 1 9
3
8.78
2.99
1.02