Lavatories.
Hospital
clothing and
bedding.
General
conservancy
and adminis-
tration.
56
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
centre and face outwards, instead of inwards as many natives so prefer to do, every thing will
go wrong. The solid and fluid excreta, instead of being received in their proper places, will
either be both on the same side of the dividing ridge or watershed (as it may be called) or
else each will be on the side where it ought not to be. As there is but one correct position,
while the possible variations from it are many, it is evident that the chances in favor of going
wrong are immensely increased, and that this form of latrine is but ill-suited for natives. That
this is nomere speculative objection has been proved by the history of a latrine on the same
plan built in the course of this year for the use of the native servants of the Warrant and Non-
Commissioned Officers of the Sappers and Miners at Bangalore, which, although of the smallest
size, became so offensive from the very causes just indicated that the arrangements had to be
altered at the instance of the Medical Officer.
The latrines built in connection with the Native Infantry Hospital at Bellary are examples
of good work in the wrong place. Being only separated from the sick wards by the width of
the verandah, and being also to windward during the monsoons, they cannot be used for their
destined purpose, and are either shut up altogether or used as lumber rooms. That actually in
use is a lean-to shed built against the compound wall, difficult to keep clean and overlooked
from the verandah of the hospital.
The latrines of the Garrison Hospital at Bellary and of the Regimental Hospital at Mercara are
in an unsatisfactory state. Their defects have been frequently pointed out, but without effect.
The regimental latrines of the Sappers and Miners at Bangalore have been condemned year
after year as utterly bad and incapable of being bettered. They were not, however, capable of
being worsened. As if they did not already offend sufficiently against sanitary laws, another
infraction of them was deliberately perpetrated last year in spite of due warning. A short-
covered drain was carried down from the latrine into the main sewer of the bazaar which passes
within a few feet of it on a lower level. It serves to conduct the urine and ablution water from
the latrine into the sewer, but it acts also as a ventilating shaft for the sewer, the upper end of
which opens into the latrine.
Two new latrines have, I am told, been sanctioned for the Sappers which are to replace the
present ones ; if it be so, I venture to express a hope that in their design and construction more
regard may be shown to sanitary arrangements than in the instance just mentioned and more
forethought than in that of the Bellary latrines.
Lavatories.— The hospital lavatories are all provided with bathing tubs and water for ablu-
tion. The natives, however, prefer to wash in the open air when well enough to do so.
Hospital clothing and bedding.—The supplies of hospital clothing and bedding are
maintained at the regulated allotment.
General conservancy and administration.—The conservancy of Military Cantonments is
carefully attended to. The regimental lines are inspected every week by the Commandant,
Quartermaster, and Medical Officer, and the result reported to the Deputy Surgeon-General.
STATEMENT No. I.
Statistical.
Divisions.
Strength.
Admitted.
Died
Invalided.
Average
Daily
Sick.
In.
Out.
Pensioned. Discharged
Mysore Division ... ...
3,083
2,405
46
7
34
2
68
Ceded Districts ...
...
1,703
1,873
27
...
31
1
64
—
Years.
Ratio per Mille of Average Strength.
Admissions.
Died
Invalided.
Average
Daily
Sick.
In.
Out.
Pensioned. Discharged
Mysore Division
...
...
1876 ...
5 5 9 . 1 9
10.20
2.47
20.09
1.54
20.51
1877 ...
780.08
14.92
2.27
11.02
0.64
22.05
Ceded Districts
. .. ...
1876 ...
586.50
11.17
0.65
43.39
4.60
25.82
1877 ... 1099.82
15.85
...
18.20
0.58
37.58