Hospital
water-supply.
Goneral
conclusions.
Water-supply.
Conservancy.
Sanitary
condition of
lines us to
cleanliness,
ventilation,
&c.
Sanitary
condition of
latrines, &c.
102
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Hospital
cases of cholera occurred amongst the followers of the regiment, of which one proved fatal;
these cases were of a sporadic nature.
Hospital ventilation .—Ventilation very good, by roof-eaves, doors and windows. The
hospital accommodates 20 patients, giving each a little more than the regulation space.
The roof of the hospital was entirely removed and replaced by a new one with roof and eave
-ventilation on the most improved principle. The wards have not been overcrowded. Whenever
more accommodation is required, the vacant apothecary's quarters close to the hospital is made
available.
Sanitary
condition of
lines.
Sanitary
condition of
guard-room,
&c.
Hospital water-supply.— The water-supply is from spring wells near to the hospital. The
quality good and the supply abundant.
General conclusions.— Taking into consideration the low and damp situation of the
regimental lines and huts, the general health of the men has been good. The ratio of admis
-sions per 1,000 of strength for the year under review is 1644.84. When compared with the
previous year, 1271.53, shows an increase of 373. Of the admissions nearly one-half of the
entire were due to ague; conjunctivitis gave 69, dysentery and diarrhœa gave 66, syphilis
7, and rheumatism 44. That the late and deficient rainfall rendered the climate unhealthy and
influenced the number of admissions, especially for ague, there is little reason to doubt; as regards
the water-supply and duties of the troops there is no reason why the ratio of sickness should
continue so high; but so long as the men occupy the present site no improvement in their health
-return can be looked for.
Deputy Surgeon-General J.R. Theobalds inspected this corps on the 14th
December 1876 and reports as under:—
Sanitary condition of lines.— The huts are built of mud, with tiled roofs, which are rather
low. In seven compounds small huts have been built up in the front of the dwelling huts,
which, in some measure, interferes with the free access of air to these seven huts. Three
hundred and sixteen huts out of the 400 in the lines have private latrines in their compound,
which consist of low mud-walled or mat enclosures built up in one corner of the compound.
The excreta and urine are passed on the earth and soak into the soil; a portion of the urine and
washing water escape into the drains cut on both sides of the street. The ventilation of the
huts indifferent, chiefly through the tiles and where the poles rest on the mud walls in front.
The roofs are low and the door very small.
The drainage is indifferent, through open drains cut along both sides of the streets, which
convey the water into larger nullahs and so into the Juma tank.
Sanitary condition of guard-room, &c.—All are in good order and well ventilated.
Water-supply.— Abundant supply of drinking water.
Conservancy.—The conservancy of lines and neighbourhood good.
Hospital.
Hospital.
Hospital.— The ventilation is very good, through a roof ridge ventilator to each ward,
eaves, doors and windows opening into the verandahs. The drainage is very good from the
natural configuration of the ground on which the hospital is built. There is an abundant
supply of good drinking water from a well near. The hospital and out-buildings are all in
very good order, very clean, and surrounding neighbourhood very tidy.
Deputy Surgeon-General J.R. Theobalds inspected the detachment at Chanda
on the 24th February 1877 and reports as follows:—
Sanitary condition of lines as to cleanliness, ventilation, &c.—T h e
v e n t i l a t i o n o f h u t s
indifferent, chiefly through the interstices of tiles and where the poles supporting roof rest
on the mud-walls, and a small door in front for entrance into the hut. I found the lines clean
and kept in fair order. The drainage is good from the natural configuration of the ground.
Sanitary condition of latrines, &c.—The guard-rooms and cells were in good order and
well ventilated, but the guard-room was not clean. No public latrines. The private latrines in
the compound in front of each sepoy's hut are mud-wall enclosures; the excreta is passed on the
ground and in many compounds there is no drain for the urine and washing-water to escape into
the drain outside, and so it soaks into the ground of the compound. No coal-tar is used in the
private latrines. I found most of the private latrines clean. There are no cess-pools, urinaries,
or foul drains in the lines.
Hospital is a long brick-building with tiled roof, built on high rocky ground facing east
with verandahs all round, the four corners enclosed as rooms. Ventilation is only through doors
and windows, but I do not consider it necessary to make suggestions for better ventilation, as
the daily average sick is so low. The drainage is good. The hospital latrine is on the rear of
the hospital, a brick-building with tiled roof, well ventilated and in good order. Dry-earth
system partially carried out.