28
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Clothing.
Hospital.
There are no independent drains leading from each hut into the larger drains running between the
rows of lines, and on account of this all the sewage and impurities must naturally percolate into the
loose sandy soil on which the huts are built.
"The sanitary condition of the vicinity of the lines is not very satisfactory; on account of there
being no public latrine near, the people of the neighboring villages resort to a piece of ground
situated close to the lines, which they make use of as a latrine."
Surgeon Warder, of the 41st Regiment N.I., states:
—
"The huts are badly ventilated, and, owing to the large families of the men, usually over
-crowded.
"The sanitary condition of the pension lines and the village adjacent to it was most unsatisfactory
towards the termination of the hot weather. A nuisance also arose from one of the slaughter grounds,
which was situated about 100 yards from the cantonment bazaar. Means were adopted for carrying
out surface cleansing. The contents of the ash and cess pits were removed and carted away to a spot
about three miles distant and buried."
All the foregoing extracts refer to manifest actual defects in the lines and huts occupied
by troops of the district. Those defects are so many different factors in reducing the healthi
-ness of the tenements in which our soldiers reside. The interests of the military, and no less
those of the state, demand early removal of the evils in question.
Clothing.—Surgeon Boalth, on this subject, expresses his views thus:
—
"Military clothing of the men suitable and adapted to the climate, with the exception of the
sepoy's cap, which is a small circular bamboo basket 3 inches high, and lined with dark green cloth.
This cap rests on the crown of the head, leaving the occiput and nape of the neck exposed.
It is no protective against sun, and in a shower the water would run down the neck and wet the body."
"But though the military clothing may prove a more or less adequate protection, it is to be
feared that their own ordinary habiliments are scanty and inadequate, especially in northern stations,
and in the chill nights and early mornings of the cold season" is an observation made by Surgeon
Thomas at Sumbulpore.
Surgeon Warder, of the 41st Native Infantry, remarks:
—
"Ammunition boots and forage caps might, with great advantage, give place to sandals and
turbans; and the heavy and rather porous great-coat to a short, light water-proof."
Hospitals .—Surgeon Dalgairns reports on the European Infantry Veteran Company thus:
—
"The whole building being in a bad state of repair, and many parts in fact dangerous, a report
of the state of the building was sent to the Deputy Assistant Quartermaster-General, and I am glad
now to report that the landlord has made, and is still making, various repairs to the building.
"The hospital is situated on low ground very little above the level of the backwater, and, in
consequence, the drainage is not so good as it ought to be."
Surgeon Boalth, of the Right Wing, 2nd Regiment N.I., writes:—
"Sanitary condition of hospital has been as satisfactory as possible. In 1874 I brought to notice
the very limited space of the hospital latrine and its want of proper ventilation. I am now glad to report
that foundations have actually been excavated for a new latrine, and, I think, I may hope now for the
speedy completion of a want long felt."
Surgeon-Major Parker, of the 12th Regiment N.I. at Cuttack, states:
—
"It (the hospital) however was, I believe, originally intended for only the wing of a native
regiment. At any rate it can only accommodate 27 patients, and is therefore far too small for the
requirements of a whole regiment.
"Another very objectionable feature is that the whole space in front of the hospital, excepting
a narrow causeway for approach, is taken up by two large tanks; one of these is used for bathing,
and the other (though there are many excellent wells) for drinking purposes by the men. Almost
every bungalow in Cuttack has a large tank in the compound, some have two or even three, and they
abound in the town; they were probably dug in the first place to supply the material, viz., sun
- d r i e d b r i c k , w i t h w h i c h t h e h o u s e s a r e b u i l t , a n d t h e s e n e a r t h e h o s p i t a l n o d o u b t f u r n i s h e d t h e
platform on which it stands; but none the less would it be an improvement were they filled up, which
could probably be done, without very great expense, by sand from the river-bed."
In the views of Surgeon-Major Parker I concur, and it gives me pleasure to record
the progressing improvements in the hospitals of the Regiment at Berhampore and of the
garrison at Vizagapatam.
Regarding the hospital latrines of the 41st Regiment at Vizianagrum, Surgeon Warder
reports: —
"The dry-earth system was adopted, but under great difficulties, owing to the construction of
the latrines being unsuitable to its application."
Alleged
causes of
sickness and
mortality.
Alleged causes of sickness and mortality.— In the northern division 15.31 per mille has been
the mortality among our troops. Forty-four deaths occurred in the whole force, and of that
number 32 took place in hospital, or 1.11 per cent. of its average strength, or 1.57 per cent.
of those admitted under treatment.