NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
Necessaries of
life.
14
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
fully up to the average during the north-east monsoon are the principal characteristics of 1877.
The temperature has neither been so high in the hot, nor so low in the cool season as it usually
is, but successive seasons throughout the year have been attended with considerable sickness
among the troops as well as the civil population.
II. Necessaries of life.—Famine prices, the legacy of 1876, continued to rule during 1877
till near its close, and even then they were succeeded by rates of high ranges.
Strength of
troops.
III. Strength of troops.— Of 3,842, the total strength of black troops in this district on the
31st December 1877, 2,061 were Hindoos, 1,471 Mahomedans, and 310 Christians. The average
strength was 3609.03.
Health of
Native troops.
IV. Health of Native troops. —Except in the 10th and the 33rd Regiments, which took the
place of the 37th Regiment in Madras, the health efficiency of all the corps has been notably
reduced, synchronously with an augmented death-rate in all the regiments except the 33rd
as compared with the corps whose place it took. Table I presents full information on these
points :—
Table 1.
Principal
diseases.
I n v a l i d i n g a n d s i c k l e a v e .
Regiments.
Stations.
Average
Strength.
Percentage
of Treated
to Average strength.
Percentage
of Deaths
to Averages t r e n g t h .
Body Guard
Madras
120
92.5
1.66
10th Regiment Native Infantry
Do.
678
50.
1.90
13th do.
do.
Do.
721
79.19
2.35
14th do.
do.
Vellore
688
48.40
3.05
33rd do.
do.
Madras
586
42.32
1.53
39th do.
do.
Palaveram
406
68.96
1.23
Native Details, Mount
St. Thomas' Mount
158
42.40
. . .
Native Infantry Depot
Palaveram
161
118.63
10.56
Principal diseases.—These have been fevers, affections of the bowels, diseases of the skin,
general debility, wounds and accidents, rheumatism, respiratory diseases, and diseases of the
eye. The following table gives the number of each : —
Table II.
Principal Diseases.
Treated. Died.
Fevers
529
3
T.
D.
Bowel-complaints. Dysentery
142 3
332
6
Diarrhœa
190 3
Skin diseases
...
... 236
1
General debility
157
6
Wounds and accidents
...
... 112
...
Rheumatism
...
. . .
99
...
Respiratory diseases, including phthisis
...
8 2
7
Diseases of the eye
...
82
. . .
Invaliding and sick leave.—Ten men less were pensioned in 1877 than in the previous
twelve-month, but as many more were sent away on sick leave, so that the totals of the two
years are the same:—
Table III.
Regiments.
Invalided.
Sent on
Sick Leave.
Body Guard
4
2
10th Regiment Native Infantry
17
26
13th do.
do.
24
12
14th do. do.
4
6
33rd
do.
do.
. . .
6
39th do. do.
35
10
Native Infantry Depôt
9
1 1 5
9 3
177
N uisance.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Vaccination.
Epidemic..
Hospital
overcrowding.
Hospital
drainage.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
CENTRE OR. PRESIDENCY DISTRICT.17
Nuisance. —No cause for complaint.
Water-supply has been good and sufficient. It is obtained from the Red Hills.
Diet. —Provisions have been very dear owing to the famine which prevailed so widely over
the Presidency. The troops have received compensation on account of dearness of provisions.
Clothing has been sufficient and adapted to the climate.
Vaccination has been regularly kept up. No cases of small-pox have occurred.
Epidemic. — Only one case of cholera occurred during the year. It was at the time
prevalent in Madras, and the man, no doubt, contracted the disease from the neighborhood in
which he resided (Triplicane).
Hospital overcrowding. —No overcrowding.
Hospital drainage satisfactory. The dry-earth sewage has been efficiently carried out.
Hospital water-supply good. It is obtained from pipes in connection with the Red Hills
Tank.
General conclusions. —The health of the corps has been good, although a larger number
of admissions from fever have occurred than during the preceding year. They were all of a
very mild type however, and none of them were fatal. They appear to have been entirely owing
to atmospheric causes.
1 0 t h R e g i m e n t N a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
STATION—MADRAS (PERAMBORE).
Arrived from Tonghoo in January and March 1875.
Average strength
679
Do. do. present
655
Admissions
339
Daily sick
11
Deaths in hospital
7
Do. out of do.
6
Pe nsion ed
1 6
Sick leave
''.
...
...
...
...
—
26
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent.
of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. I All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1874
Yonkthwa
100.34
3.46
2.87
.75
3.32
1875
Madras
70.79
2.37
2.48
7.30
3.94
1876
Do.
59.81
1.89
1.60
3.33
1.60
Average
70.98
2.57
2.31
3.79
2.95
1877
Madras
51.75
1.67
1 . 9 1
2.35
3.82
The following Medical Officers were in charge during the year, the latter-named
of whom reports as follows :-
Surgeon W. Price, M.D.
Surgeon-Major Hunter Adam.
Climate of the Station. —The seasons in the beginning of the year had been so trying
that much sickness prevailed among the civil population, and a great many deaths occurred
from cholera and small-pox. Other causes also contributed to increase the mortality, for the
scanty means of the poor enabled them to provide themselves with only cheaper, inferior
Climate of
the Station.
5
Conservancy of the district about lines fairly maintained.
Conservancy
CENTRE OR PRESIDENCY DISTRICT.
19
1 3 t h R e g i m e n t N a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
STATION—MADRAS (ROYAPOORAM).
Arrived from Palaveram, 5th March 1873.
Average strength
711
Do.
do. present
630
Admissions
571
D a i l y s i c k 22
Deaths in hospital
12
Do. out of do
5
Pensioned
23
Sick leave
12
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years:—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1874
Madras
48.30
2.87
1.29
4.01
1.68
1875
Do.
66.81
2.75
1.12
1.96
2.24
1876
Do.
63.85
3.04
.84
2.10
2.38
Average
59.65
2.88
1.08
2.69
2.10
1877
Madras
90.63
3.49
2.39
3.23
1.68
The following officers were in medical charge of this corps during the year:—
Surgeon-Major A. H. Beaman,
Surgeon D. R. Thompson,
Surgeon R. V. Power, B.A.,
Deputy Surgeon-General W. J. vanSomeren, M.D., inspected this corps on the
5th June 1878 and reports as under:—
Sanitary condition of lines.—Lines clean and in good repair. Drainage system in fad]
order, though standing water tells the gradients to be still defective. Streets well metalled.
Sanitary
condition
of lines.
Hospital clean everywhere. Its arrangements unaltered. Latrine clean. 112.37 super
-ficial feet and 1123.6 cubic feet have been enjoyed by each patient.
14th Regiment Native Infantry.
STATION—VELLORE.
Arrived from Rangoon on the 26th and 28th January 1874.
Average strength
724
Do.
do.
present.
688
Admi ssi ons
333
Daily sick
11
Deaths in hospital
16
Do. out of do.
5
Pensioned
17
Sick leave
6
Hospital.
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
25
The following corps were serving in the division on the 31st December 1877
:—
2nd Regiment N.I., Head-Quarters and Right Wing.
2nd
do.
do. Left Wing.
7th
do.
do.
12th
do.
do.
41st
do.
do.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. J. vanSomeren, M.D., was in charge of this district
during the year and reports as under:—
Seasonal phenomena. —Both south-west and north-east monsoons have failed, with small
crops and actual scarcity as natural consequences. Over the southern part of the district,
however, the margin of the May cyclone passed and occasioned a fair fall of rain, which
furnished a good supply of water; but was of little use towards agricultural operations, owing
to the period of its occurrence. Extreme heat was a prominent feature of the hot weather.
Necessaries of life. —Excessive exportation of grain to southern famine districts and its
reduced supply from the soil from lack of water combined to render cereals more scarce and to
increase prices of all necessaries of life.
Seasonal
phenomena.
Necessaries
of life.
Strength of Native Troops. —There were 2,876 rank and file on the last day of 187
7, constituted as follows:—
Strength
of Native
Troops.
Hindus, 1,679; Mahomedans 1,008; and Christians 189.
The average strength was 2763·38.
Health of the Native Troops. —The low death-rate of 12·16 per mille is the most convincing
proof that in this district there has been nought calculated to enhance the mortality of our
troops. The ratio of deaths is 3·15 per mille less than in 1876. But this improvement has
co-existed with an increase in the percentage of treated to average strength in three corps,
a slight reduction in one, and a remarkably large reduction in another—facts that will be seen
by a glance at the following table:—
Table I.
Regiments.
Stations.
Average
Strength.
Percentage
of Treated
to Average
Strength.
Percentage
of Deaths to
Average
Strength.
Right Wing, 2nd Regiment N.I.
Berhampore
362
63·81
·82
Left Wing 2nd do. do.
Sumbulpore
302
69·86
·66
7th Regiment N.I.
Vizagapatam
690
42·17
·43
12th do. do.
Cuttack
646
61·45
·15
41st do. do.
Vizianagram
678
164·31
1·32
Garrison, Vizagapatam
Vizagapatam
88
22·73
1·14
Health of
Native the
Troops.
In all the fore-mentioned regiments the percentage of deaths has diminished, while among
the Native Details it has been 1·47 against a cypher in the previous year. The most striking
change has been manifest in the 7th Regiment, in which the percentage of treated to strength
has fallen from 98·69 to 42·17, and of deaths from 1·89 to ·43.
As shown in Table II, fevers, general debility, skin diseases, intestinal affections,
rheumatism, and wounds and accidents have been the principal ailments of the troops in this
district.
Table II.
Principal Diseases.
Treated.
Died.
Fevers
8 6 7
3
General debility
2 4 3
1
Skin diseases
2 2 5
. . .
Bowel-complaints Dysentery treated 57
1 2 6
. . .
Diarrhœa do. 69
Rheumatism
1 2 0
. . .
Wounds and accidents
1 0 3
. . .
Respiratory diseases, including phthisis
7 0
2
Eye diseases
6 1
. . .
Diseases of cellular tissue
4 3
. . .
7
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
27
The Garrison Hospital at Vizagapatam also has been repaired. In all other respects the
lines and huts in the several stations of this district continue unaltered and objectionable as
formerly reported.
The low death-rate of 12·16 per mille is the most convincing proof that in this district there
has been nought calculated to enhance the mortality of our troops. The ratio of deaths is 3·15
per mille less than in 1876.
End Regiment Native Infantry.
STATION—HEAD-QUARTERS AND RIGHT WING, BERHAMPORE.
Arrived from Waltair, 9th January 1873.
STATION—LEFT WING, SUMBULPORE.
Average strength
694
Do. do. present
663
Admissions
442
Daily sick
17
Deaths in hospital
5
Do. out of do.
3
Pensioned
27
Sick leave
8
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years:—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1874
Berhampore
81·87
3·07
2·02
4·47
·86
1875
Do.
80·29
2·66
2·13
3·42
·57
1876
Do.
63·59
2·08
1·88
3·33
1·59
A v e r a g e
75·25
2·60
2·01
3·74
1·00
1877
Berhampore
66·66
2·56
1·15
3·89
1 · 1 5
Surgeon W. H. Boalth was in medical charge of the Head-Quarters and Right
Wing during the year and reports as follows:
—
Climate of the station. —The climate has been very unusual this year. With the exception
of December rain fell during the eleven months of the year; the changes between cold, hot, and
rainy weather were not very great. The average rainfall in the station is about 45 inches: last
year a little over 40 inches was registered; but the rain fell at unseasonable times and did very
little good for the crops.
Diseases of the district.—Situated in the midst of an extensive plain given up principally
to wet cultivation, and surrounded on all sides, except to the south, by hills of varying height
covered more or less with jungle, the prevailing disease of the district is malarial fever; rheu
-matism, dysentery, and diarrhœa are also prevalent, and, being situated on the main road to
Pooree, and not far from it, cholera is annually imported by pilgrims from the south, who nearly
every one of them have to pass through the station on their way to and from Pooree Beri
-beri is also endemic here in common with the stations along this coast.
Climate of
the station.
Diseases of
the district.
Position of barracks. —The sepoy lines are situated on the north side of the village of
Banpore (Military cantonment) and adjoin it. The site is low and objectionable in a sanitary
point of view.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts. —The means of ventilation in the huts of the
men are very defective from the total absence of windows and the existence of only a small low
door, through which alone fresh air can get in. The drainage of the lines is very defective
The guard-rooms are well ventilated.
Position of
barracks.
V e n t i l a t i o n a n d d r a i n a g e o f t h e m e n ' s h u t s .
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
Sanitary con
-dition of lines
Sanitary
condition of
all buildings.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
32
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Bedding.
Hospital water-supply is obtained from the wells in Dhoby's Pettah; water good and
plentiful.
General conclusions. —The total number of admissions treated at head-quarters was 291, and
at the four detachments, 198, making a total of 489 admissions. There were three deaths at
head-quarters from the following diseases:—pneumonia 1, apoplexy 1, phthisis pulmonalis 1;
with the detachment there were three deaths; all from cholera; 1 at Ellore and 2 at
Juggiapett.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. J. vanSomeren, M.D., inspected this corps on the
19th November 1877 and reports as follows:—
Sanitary condition of lines. —The lines are what they were—objectionable in arrange
-ment and construction, though clean in condition. The streets through them are generally
sandy and heavy too!
Sanitary condition of all buildings. —One cell is clean but ill ventilated. I did not see
the other as it could not be opened with the keys at hand. The barrack guard-rooms were
clean; the latrine under repair, and certainly sadly requiring it. The schools are dark and dirty
rooms, and not as well ventilated as they used to be before renewal after the cyclone of 1876.
No regimental latrines.
Conservancy.—No change in establishment. The lines and their vicinity are clean.
Hospital beautifully clean everywhere. Its arrangements, accommodation, water-supply,
and drainage are unchanged. The floors of the wards for contagious diseases are thick and
heavy with sand, which, I repeat, is very objectionable. The latrine, a pattern of cleanliness
and inoffensiveness, and the kitchen too!
Bedding. —Even for the reduced daily average of 15½ sick the supply of bedding and
clothing is scarcely adequate; but it is all fit for use, though some articles require repair. A
number of unserviceable articles have been removed by the Commissariat, which has also taken
some of the clothing, bedding, and a foot-bath (a second) to repair it.
12th Regiment Native Infantry.
STATION—CUTTACK.
Arrived from Vizianagram on the 12th March 1876.
Average strength
687
D o . d o . p r e s e n t
646
Admissions
397
D a i l y s i c k
20
D e a t h s i n h o s p i t a l
1
D o . o u t o f d o .
3
P e n s i o n e d
4
Sick leave
18
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and Invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years:—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1874
Vizianagram
56·95
2·66
·56
·70
3·52
1875
Do.
41·69
2·52
1·96
1·68
2·10
1876
Cuttack
55·02
2·66
·86
·43
2·30
Average
51·22
2·61
1·12
·93
2·64
1877
Cuttack
6 1 · 4 5 3·09
·58
·58
2·62
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
35
cloak or cape would be a most desirable substitute for the cumbrous military great-coat, which
becomes soaked through on exposure to heavy rain, and a merely useless dead weight to carry.
At any rate, all men going on duty during rainy season should be furnished with them, as when
their clothes once get wet they have but scant opportunities for drying them.
The most objectionable portion of the sepoy's dress, however, is his foot-gear. Boots of the
poorest material and generally ill-fitting, worn without socks, constantly causing foot soreness,
in fact incapacitating him for marching, while they are expensive. The Native chuppal would
be far preferable in all respects.
Foot soreness. —Cases of foot soreness have been of most frequent occurrence.
Foot soreness.
Drill. —During hot season from 5-30 to 6-30 A.M., four to five days weekly. Adjutant's Dril
drill at same hours in the evenings. During cold season an hour later in the mornings, and
earlier in the evenings.
Vaccination. —Number vaccinated successfully
101
Do. do. unsuccessfully
14
115
Vaccination.
Epidemic.—There has not been any epidemic in the regiment, but cholera caused
8 admissions, of which 1 was that of a man on detachment at Juggiapett and 2 at head
-quarters before I took medical charge. All 3 terminated fatally; the two latter having died
untreated. Of the remaining 5, all treated with sulphur and fumigation, 3 recovered and
2 died.
Ague, as in preceding years, has been excessively prevalent, though it can hardly be
considered as an epidemic.
Hospital ventilation has been every thing that could be desired. No overcrowding
permitted, any surplus sick being allowed to go line sick.
Epide mic.
Hospital
ventilation.
General conclusions. —The regiment is about to embark for service in Burmah after a
residence at Vizianagram of 21 months. It arrived here in a very weakly debilitated state, and
would certainly have thoroughly recovered its tone by this time were it not for its unfortunately
having been necessary to send a large detachment to the Bustar Hills during the hot season
immediately on its arrival from Cuttack in April 1876, which expedition prostrated with fever
of a severe type nearly all the men composing the force, and for the most trying climate and
famine prices of the past twelve months.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
Average strength
3,425
Do. do. present
3,047
Total admissions
1,899
Daily sick
74
Deaths in hospital
34
Do. out of do.
12
Pensioned
82
Sick leave
58
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years:—
Years.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
All Deaths.
Pensioned.
Sick Leave.
1874
74·33
1·98
·97
3·61
2·98
1 8 7 5
63·26
2·48
1·49
3·57
2·72
1876
60·48
2· 17
1·23
2·58
2·18
Average
66·02
2·91
1·23
3·25
2·62
1877
62·32
2·42
1·34
2·39
1·69
General
conclusions.
36
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
The following corps were serving in this division on the 31st December
1877:—
19th Regiment N. I.
32nd
do.
do.
38th
do.
do.
26th
do.
do.
37th
do.
do.
Deputy Surgeon-General John Wilson was in charge of this circle during the
year and reports as follows:
—
The year under report has been unhealthy owing to prevalence of famine. Latterly the
rainfall has exceeded the average of preceding years and has been more than required, but
this has not brought with it fall of prices in the food-grains, which were everywhere scarce or
scanty, the dry crops particularly being destroyed. The cold weather was, indeed, very slight
owing to the heavy rains toward the last quarter of the year, the thermometer gauging only
72° on the coldest morning.
At the head-quarter station, viz., Trichinopoly, the south-west monsoon almost entirely
failed, only 4 inches of rain having been gauged from January to August, while 34 inches
have fallen from September to December, being 3 inches more than the average. The crops
have thriven fairly, and the yield, though not what was expected, was not much below par, and
may be considered sufficient for the requirements of the general population.
Cholera and small-pox prevailed epidemically amongst the civil population throughout
the circle, and the mortality was very great from these causes, mingled with famine diarrhœa,
so sadly prevalent amongst the destitute starving community. The following statement shows
the admissions and deaths from cholera amongst the military forces within this circle of
medical administration:—
Regiments.
Admitted. Died.
19th Regiment N.I., Trichinopoly
8
5
32nd
do. do.
do.
17
5
37th
do. do. Palamcottah
1
...
38th
do. do. Trichinopoly
7
1
26th
do. do. Quilon.
3
1
Fevers also prevailed amongst the regiments in this circle to an unusual extent, but
there were only four deaths from that cause.
Compared with the previous year, the admissions and deaths were as under. The
admissions have exceeded the previous year by 126, while the deaths were the same in both
years.
Strength.
1876.
1877.
1876.
1877. Admitted. Died. Admitted. Died.
5,949
5,558 3,015
41
3,141
41
19th Regiment Native Infantry.
STATION—TRICHINOPOLY.
Arrived from Singapore, 7th May 1872.
Average strength
684
Do.
do. present
637
Admissions
410
Daily sick
17
Deaths in hospital
9
Do. out of do.
1
Pensioned
27
Sick leave
24
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years:—
Sanitary
Condition of
lines.
Sanitary
condition of
all buildings.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
Climate of
the station.
Diseases of
the district.
38
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Deputy Surgeon-General J. Wilson inspected this corps on the 24th Sep-
tember 1877 and reports as follows :—
Sanitary condition of lines.— The lines of this regiment are of a most inferior description,
being merely thatched huts scarcely raised above the ground. These lines are mostly on the
same level as the rice-fields, so that drainage is impossible ; they are clean, and an attempt made
at drainage by cutting open trenches at the sides of the streets.
Sanitary condition of all buildings.— There are two latrines, which are clean and the dry-
earth system carried out, the contents being carried out two miles and buried. There are no
cess-pools or foul drains. Coal-tar is not used.
Conservancy.— The conservancy is fair in the vicinity of the 19th lines, and has not
necessitated any suggestions being made for its improvement.
Hospital.— The hospital is of a very inferior description, being badly ventilated and dark.
It has good natural drainage, and is sufficiently large.
3 2 n d R e g i m e n t n a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
STATION—TRICHINOPOLY.
Arrived from Hooshungabad, February 1873.
Average strength
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
680
Do-
do.
present
... ... ... ... ...
... 666
Admissions
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
558
Daily sick
...
...
... ... ... ... ... ...
17
Deaths in hospital
...
...
...
...
... ... ...
8
Do, out of do.
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
3
Pensioned
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
35
Sick leave
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
11
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1874
... Trichinopoly ...
...
43.20
1.87
.57
5.63
6.35
1 8 7 5
. . .
Do.
...
...
61.23
2.05
2.81
5.76
2.66
1876
. . .
Do.
... ...
60.62
1.79
1.45
3.31
3.58
Average ...
55.01
1.90
1.61
4.90
4.19
1877
... Trichinopoly ...
...
83.78
2.55
1.61
5.14
1.61
Surgeon H. J. Hazlett, M.D., was in medical charge of this corps during the
year and reports as under :—
Climate of the station.—In September, October and November the rainfall was heavy, and
was probably the cause of the increased number of admissions into hospital.
Diseases of the district.—There are no diseases peculiar to the district. Cholera and small-
pox are present more or less during the year. Malarious fevers and dysentery prevail, but not
extensively.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Nuisance.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts has been sufficient.
Nuisance.— On a few occasions the latrines and urinals were not cleaned out on account
of the Municipal conservancy carts not being able to come by reason of the bad state of the
roads through excessive rain. I reported the matter to the Officer commanding, who took the
necessary steps to remedy it.