CENTRE OR PRESIDENCY DISTRICT.
15
Cholera. —There have been 79 cases of cholera, and among them 25 deaths, both figures
being more than three times larger than the corresponding ones of 1876. Still they are small
as compared with the numbers of seizures and deaths among the civil population during a year
when the epidemic influence was exceptionally virulent as well as widespread.
Small-pox.—The virus of this zymotic disease too prevailed with special force during the
year under review and 28 cases occurred, but not one death; the protective power of vaccina-
tion being manifested not only in the comparatively few instances of the disease, but also
and particularly in its non-fatality.
Cholera.
Small-pox.
Malarious fevers. —These bulk more largely in 1877, the number having risen to 529 from
360 in the year 1876, while the deaths have increased from 2 to 3. The following Table IV
shows the extent to which the several regiments have suffered from these diseases:—
Malarious
fevers.
Table IV.
Regiments.
Cholera.
Small-pox.
Malarial Fevers.
D.
A.
D.
A.
D.
A.
Body Guard
1
1
...
...
40
...
10th Regiment Native Infantry
6
3
6
...
98
1
13th do.
do.
28
7
5
...
190
...
14th do.
do.
34
11
14
...
50
...
33rd do.
do.
10
3
...
...
70
2
39th do.
do
...
...
. . .
. . .
38
...
Native Details, Mount
. . .
...
...
...
24
...
Native Infantry Depôt
. . .
...
1
. . .
19
. . .
Total
79
25
28
. . .
529
3
Movements of troops.—The following movements have taken place:
—
1. One wing of the 37th Regiment N.I. proceeded by special train to Tinnevelly
in two parties on the 10th January 1877; the other wing proceeded by sea
to Tuticorin en route to Palamcottah by S.S. Tenasserim and transport Czarewitch
on the 15th February 1877.
2. A wing of 38th Regiment N.I. arrived for duty in Madras by train from Trichino-
poly on the 13th January 1877, and returned to that division on 18th June 1877.
A detachment of 14th Regiment N.I. from St. Thomas' Mount returned to Vellore
viâ Madras on the 10th January 1877.
3. The 24th Regiment N.I. from Palamcottah to Rangoon, disembarked at Madras in
February, and was a few days in camp in consequence of small-pox having
appeared on board. A party was left behind till some time later, the accommo-
dation being limited on board these vessels.
4. The Left Wing 33rd Regiment N.I. arrived on the 20th January 1877 by sea from
the Bengal Presidency, and the Right Wing on the 10th February 1877.
5. Wing 39th Regiment N.I. arrived from Burmah on 26th April 1877, and proceeded
to Palaveram.
6. A company of 13th Regiment N.I. left in charge of convicts to Port Blair on 26th
September, and returned by next steamer.
7. C Company Sappers and Miners arrived for famine duty in Madras on 19th
October 1877.
8. A detachment of Body Guard marched to Tanjore District, on escort duty, with His
Grace the Governor in November, and returned to Madras in December 1877.
Movements
of troops.
Huts and lines.— In Vepery, Vellore, and Palaveram, where improvements of both huts
and lines as respects their accommodation and drainage are so urgently called for, I regret to
state nought has yet been done in that direction. The site of the lines in Vepery is thoroughly
bad and should be abandoned; but in the other two stations, new lines up to the standard of
the present day should be constructed and thus drainage properly provided for. But sanita-
tion of even the best lines can only be efficiently maintained by those who occupy them; and
till the troops and their families become more decent and cleanly in their habits, and more
alive to the dangers of dirt, conditions essential to the preservation of health must be wanting,
and prevention of disease a desideratum.
Hospitals.— These are still characterised by cleanliness, and their latrines are generally
kept in fair order. Earth-conservancy, however, is not carried out in them as fully and
efficiently as it should be.
Huts and
lines.
Hospitals.