If regiment
has been on
the march.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
barrack-
rooms, huts,
&c.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
Liquors.
Clothing.
66
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Climate of
the station,
Nuisance.
Rate per Cent. of
Years.
Stations.
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned.
Sick Leave.
1874
... Bangalore ...
...
47.10
1.47
.52
4.00
1.47
1875
..
Do.
...
..,
74.45
1.96
1.07
2.82
0.19
1876
Do.
76.56
3.95
.71
2.28
.30
Average ...
66.03
2.46
.76
3.03 I
. 6 5
1877
... Bangalore ...
...
74. 41
2.61
1.86
1.96
2.89
Surgeon-Major J. Ross, M.D., was in medical charge of this corps during the
year and reports as follows :—
Climate of the station.—The year has been one of famine to a degree seldom known, and
with famine came sickness. The most prevalent diseases were bowel-complaints from which
many hundreds died in and around Bangalore ; the mortality is not yet known,—will never
indeed be known accurately. As far as the sepoys are concerned, it does not seem to have
affected their health much, if at all.
In the early months of the year there was almost a water-famine, all the tanks and most
of the wells having dried up.
The south-west monsoon set in very much later than usual, but until it did begin there
was almost no vegetation.
If regiment has been on the march.—The head-quarters of the regiment have not moved,
but several companies have been on detachment in different parts of the Presidency.
Ventilation, and drainage of the men's barrack rooms, huts, &c.—Ventilation and drainage
for the huts, guard rooms, &c., have been sufficient, except as regards the main -drain into
which the whole sewage of the lines flow. This drain, which belongs to the Municipality, is
covered, rarely flushed or cleansed, and is consequently always more or less blocked and
offensive. Numerous representations have been made regarding it through the usual channel,
and various more or less abortive means have been tried to abate the nuisance, but at the
present moment it is worse than ever.
Nuisanee.—The regimental latrine is a standing nuisance ; it is badly constructed and so
thoroughly saturated as regards the floor with excreta, that nothing but clearing the whole
thing away will get rid of the nuisance. I have commented on it in each Quarterly Sanitary
Report, have drawn the attention of the Deputy Surgeon-General to it, and have expressed my
opinion regarding it to the commandant, but the expense of pulling it down and building a new
one stands in the way of such radical improvement.
Water-supply
Water-supply.—The water-supply during the year has been very scanty and. of inferior
quality; indeed the great difficulty has been to get water at all, as the usual sources of supply
failed almost totally. Several new wells were dug and now, since the rains came, water is
both good and plentiful.
Sanitary arrangements.—On the whole the sanitary arrangements have been well attended
to. The present condition of the covered drain referred to in paragraph 5 is a possible cause of
disease requiring removal.
Diet.—Provisions, I need hardly say, have been dear and scarce ; vegetables have been
by no means abundant. The troops have received compensation for the dearness of provisions.
Liquors.—Porter, beer, and rum have been issued to the Europeans ; there have been no
complaints under this head.
Clothing.—The clothing has been sufficient and adapted to the climate. No change necessary.
Foot soreness
Foot soreness has been rather common, and arises in great measure from the want of
socks, and also because the Sappers wear no boots at work, so that when they do put them on
blistered toes and heels are more common than if they were regularly worn.
Duty.
Duty.—The Sappers do all sorts of work in addition to parades, guards, &c. They are
carpenters, blacksmiths, masons, stone-cutters, printers, photographers, &c., and over and
above they go through a course of field works annually.
This regular steady employment hardens and developes their muscles, and keeps them
in good health.
Average number of nights in bed 3 in 4.