Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
barrack
-rooms, &c.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Duty.
Vaccination.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
116
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
and lowest temperatures during the six years 1868—1873 being 96 and 97, respectively; the
average rainfall for the five years 1870—1874 was 102.05 inches. The nights are usually cool.
Chief disease for the year was intermittent fever.
If regiment
has been on
the march.
If regiment has been on the march.—A detachment consisting of 1 European officer, 2
jemadars, 5 havildars, 5 naigues, 100 privates, and 11 followers arrived from Moulmein on
the 11th September, and, as might be expected, the men suffered a good deal from fever
shortly after their arrival.
Position of
barracks.
Clothing.
Position of barracks.— The buildings occupied by the men at Ross, Navy Bay, and Viper
are situated on the summits of these hills, are well raised from the ground, have good aspects,
and are well swept by the prevailing winds. Those on Aberdeen are unfavorably situated,
occupying marshy soil more or less surrounded by swamps. Fever was prevalent at the latter
station during the rains.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's barrack-rooms, &c. —Both sufficient, save at Aberdeen
where sufficient drains have not yet been constructed. The, matter was reported, and additional
drains are being made.
Water-supply.— Water supplied from tanks, wells, and springs. Quality generally good,
and quantity ample, save in the dry season when it is limited.
Diet.—Provisions neither cheap nor plentiful. Vegetables limited both as to variety and
quantity. Troops supplied with good rations by the Commissariat Department. Each man
can receive 4 lbs. of mutton every month from the Commissariat Department at the rate of
2 Annas 6 Pies a pound.
Clothing.—The clothing supplied by Government unsuitable in all respects. Never worn
save on special parades. The men when on duty wear suitable cotton clothing provided by
private regimental arrangement. Each man receives one woollen blanket, two flannel jeiseys,
and two pairs of flannel drawers, for the tour of foreign service.
Duty.— The ordinary duties of troops in garrison not prejudicial to health.
Vaccination.— No vaccination during the year, owing to the prevalence of fevers and the
tendency which even slight wounds have to run into ulcers.
Ventilation
of hospital.
Ventilation of hospital .—Ventilation ample,. both natural and artificial. No representa
-tions. The hospital on Ross Island frequently overcrowded. Space beneath the main room has
been arranged as a temporary ward, and is used as such occasionally to prevent, as far as
possible, overcrowding in the room above.
Sanitary
condition of
barracks.
Hospital water-supply.— Supply sufficient and quality good. Obtained from wells, tanks,
and springs.
General conclusions.— There were 804 admissions into hospital during the year, and 10
eases amongst Native officers, who `were treated in their own quarters. The average daily sick
for the whole station amounted to 25.88. There were 5 deaths, viz., 2 from remittent fever,
2 from anæmia, and 1 from general debility. Chief diseases for the year were ague, itch,
simple continued fever, splenitis, diarrhœa, and bronchitis.
Deputy Surgeon-General H. R. Oswald, M.D., inspected these detachments
on the 31st December 1876 and 2nd January 1877 and reports as follows:—
Sanitary condition of barracks.— On Ross there are four barracks, three occupied by sepoys
and one, which is divided into several rooms, partially by the drummers and their families. No.
1 barrack faces nearly due north and is about 100 feet above sea level; it is an oblong teak
building raised on 7-feet piles. No. 2 barrack is a newly built double roofed oblong teak
building at right angles to No. 1 on 8-feet piles; it is nearly double the width of No. 1 and is
divided down the centre by open lattice work. No. 3 faces No. 2 and at right angles to No. 1.
It is divided into 16 rooms, 7 of which are not used. No. 4 barracks is at the water's edge on
the east side of the hill; it is built on 6-feet poles about 7-feet above high water-level. The
hill rises abruptly behind it, the road being just 6 feet above the roof. These buildings were all
clean and well ventilated. No. 1-B by 2 doors 9' 10" × 4' 6" each and 4 others 8' 10" × 4 ' 5 " ; i t
has also 22 windows 3' 10" × 3' 5". It has also eaves and ridge ventilation. No. 2-B has four
doors 7' 5" × 3' 11" and 24 windows 3' 11" × 3' 6" with an caves ventilator 18 inches deep
all round. No. 3-B is, as already stated, divided into 16 rooms which have numerous doors and
windows; particulars of which it would be difficult to give in the limits of this report. No. 4-B
has four doors 7' 5" × 3' 11" and 17 windows 2' 11" square. It has also cave and ridge
ventilation. These barracks are lighted by 3, 6, and 2 oil lamps in Nos. 1, 2, and 4 respectively.
The dimensions and superficial space and cubic contents enjoyed by each man is as follows:—
Average per Man.
No. 1-B is 120' × 34' × 13'9"= 39,600 cubic feet and 2,880 square feet. 880 cubic feet and 64 square feet.
No. 2-B is 120' × 40' × 12' = 57,600 cubic feet and 4,800 square feet. 500 cubic feet and 50 square feet.
No. 4-B is 100' × 20' × 10' = 20,000 cubic feet and 2,000 square feet. 588 cubic feet and 58 square feet.
During
the year.