Climate of
the station.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Water-supply
Sanitary
arrangements
Diet.
Foot soreness.
Duty.
Sanitary con-
dition of lines.
Sanitary
condition of
latrines, &c.
CENTRE OR PRESIDENCY DISTRICT.
21
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.
1873
Rangoon
. . .
. . .
63.08
3.27
2.15
. . . 4.59
1874
Vellore
. . .
. . .
39.97
1.58
1.40
2.53
2.39
1875
Do.
. . .
. . .
37.95
1.13
1.27
. . .
. 9 1
Average . . .
47.00
1.99
1.60
. 8 4 2.63
1876
Vellore
...
...
3 0 . 9 4
1.16
.72
2.88
1.29
The following officers held medical charge during the year:
—
Surgeon-Major Hamilton Ross, M.D.,
Surgeon-Major D. Kearney,
Surgeon W. S. Fox,
the last-named of whom reports as follows:—
Climate of the station.— The seasons were most unfavorable. The temperature, except the
last couple of months, was above the average. The rainfall was 19.225 inches, the average for
the three preceding, inclusive of two unusually dry years, was nearly 42 inches. There was
almost complete failure of the north-east monsoon, causing much distress and famine in the
latter months.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c.—The men live in huts which are very
indifferent. The drainage of the lines is also bad, but is kept in as good order as the conservancy
funds admit of.
Water-supply.—It was sufficient, but is beginning to run short from, the want of rain. It
is muddy.
Sanitary arrangements.—The sanitary arrangements of the lines have been carefully
attended to.
Diet.—All kinds of food-grains were high priced during the year, especially the latter half.
Compensation for dearness of rice was given, but in cases of sepoys with large families to
support it is not sufficient, and in many cases the men are not able to provide sufficiently
nutritive food for themselves and families in these famine-days.
Foot soreness.— There were frequent cases of foot soreness from defective boots, worn
without socks.
Duty.—Average number of nights in bed lately has been only two.
Vaccination.—Sixty-four cases were vaccinated during the year.
Vaccination.
Epidemic. —Five cases of cholera occurred among the regimental followers, of which three
terminated fatally. One sepoy of the regiment was attacked and died.
Epidemic.
Hospital ventilation is good; there has been no overcrowding.
Water-supply.—Good and abundant.
Hospital
ventilation.
Water-supply
General conclusions. —The sanitary state of the regiment was good. The average daily sick
for the year was 5.661, the maximum being 11 and the minimum 1. Three deaths occurred
among the patients in hospital, viz ., one from cholera, one from dysentery, and one from
phthisis pulmonalis. One European officer died on account of general debility and dysentery.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. J. vanSomeren, M.D., inspected this corps on the
19th December 1876 and reports as follows:—
Sanitary condition of lines. —The lines are clean, and they continue as objectionable as
ever in other respects. The average number of occupants in each hut has been 5.28.
Sanitary condition of latrines, &c.—The latrines are what they were, but the mats enclosing
them are old and shabby, and unequal to the purpose for which they were put up. The one
into which I looked was very offensive. The latrine of the guard-room was carefully attended
to and not offensive, but fluids from it were flowing into and overflowing the earthen vessel
6
General
conclusions.