Epidemic.
Hospital
ventilation.
121
BRITISH BURMAH DIVISION.
Surgeon G. F. Bevan was in medical charge of this corps during the year and
reports as under : —
Climate of the station.—There are three seasons—the rainy which commences in the end of
May and lasts till October, the so-called cold weather which commences in November and lasts
till February, and the hot season which extends from the last-mentioned month till the end of
May.
Climate of the
station.
Whether regiment has been on the march.—The regiment left Palamcottah on the 2nd March
1877 and embarked from Tuticorin the same day on board the transports Tenasserim and
Czarewitch. The vessels touched at Trincomallee where we disembarked some cases of
small-pox, and again at Madras where about 100 men were put on shore to lessen overcrowding.
Small-pox broke out among the troops and crew during the passage from Madras to Rangoon
where we arrived on the 22nd March, the troops being disembarked immediately and placed
under canvas.
Whether
regiment has
been on the
march.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c., —The ventilation is quite sufficient to preserve
the air pure. The guard-room is sufficiently ventilated by means of doors and windows, and the
solitary cells by grated windows placed high up in the walls.
The drainage requires improving. It is very little assisted artificially. A few shallow earth
drains exist which are cut even sufficient to carry away the storm water which lodges in many
places and sinks into the soil. Most of the liquid refuse from barracks and cook-rooms percolates
the surrounding soil.
Nuisanee .—The barrack latrines have not been tarred twice during the year. The latrines
are ill-constructed and insufficiently ventilated. The woodwork is old, and in many places rotten;
it is saturated with excreta, and it is therefore found almost impossible to keep the place free
from smells, although the dry-earth system is in force and the excreta are carted away twice
daily.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Nuisance.
Water-supply.—The quantity has been found sufficient, and the quality, as far as can be
judged from taste, smell and color is very fair.
Water
-supply.
Sanitary arrangements have been on the whole effectually attended to.
Sanitary
arrange
- m e n t s .
Diet .—The men are provided with rations which are supposed to afford sufficient nutriment
to preserve them in a good state of health, but which I have no hesitation in stating do not
contain the essentials necessary to supply for the waste of tissue required of a sepoy having the
laborious duties which are demanded of him on foreign service. The nitrogenous elements of
food are notably deficient in this station, and those who are not able to supplement the ration by
the purchase of condiments and animal food soon present an appearance quite incompatible
with the performance of the heavy duties required of them. Vegetables, fish, mutton, eggs, and
all food condiments are always excessively dear in this station. I consider the dieting of the
troops has not been sufficient to preserve health. They do not get sufficient animal food, and most
of them are unable to purchase it.
Diet.
Clothing of the men has been found sufficient and adapted to the climate.
Clothing.
Foot soreness .—Since the arrival of the regiment in Burmah foot soreness has prevailed
to a greater extent than it ever did previously. This is partly due to the men having to wear
their boots oftener and for longer periods together than they were accustomed to in India, and
partly to the effect of climate on the leather rendering it hard and rough.
Duty.—Since the arrival of the regiment in Burmah the duties have been extremely
heavy. The guard duties alone have been very onerous, and in addition there have been
morning parades, as a rule, four times a week, and occasionally evening drills. The average
number of nights per week the men have in bed has been 2.2 in 3.
Drill.—I have on two occasions recommended to the Officer Commanding that it would be
advisable, considering the state of health of the regiment that there should be as little drill as
possible.
Vaccination.—All the men have been vaccinated. Three cases of small-pox occurred
among the men, one of these bore a very fair vaccination mark, the second an indistinct mark,
and the third none at all, as although he had been twice previously vaccinated he did not take.
Epidemic.—Fevers chiefly of the intermittent type and dysentery have been rather prevalent
since arrival in Rangoon.
Hospital ventilation is effected by means of numerous doors and windows. There are no
roof ventilators. The hospital ward has often been overcrowded, notwithstanding that the
ground floor has been utilised. The hospital building is old, and flooring bad, and the roof has
given constant trouble through leaking in many places during the rains.
Foot soreness.
Duty.
Drill.
Vaccination.
31