112
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
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 ...
... Secunderabad
...
64.19
2.41
.72
1.61
1874 ...
... Cocanada
...
...
122.28
3.31
.81
4.08
1.08
1875 ...
... Thayetmyo
...
...
74.83
4.24
2.15
.57
2.15
Average ...
87.10
3.32
1.22
1.93
1.07
1876 ...
... Thayetmyo
...
...
80.62
4.06
2.30
.32
2.96
Climate of the
station.
Diseases of
the district.
Whether
regiment hat
been on the
march.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
barrack-
&.c.
Nuisance.
Water -supply
Diet.
Clothing.
Font
soreness.
Vaccination.
Epidemic.
hospital
wards.
Hospital
drainage.
Hospital
water-
supply.
Surgeon-Major T. Croudace was in medical charge of this corps during the
year and reports as follows :
—
Climate of the station. —The hot season was longer than in 1875 ; the temperature in the
shade rose to 104° in April and 105° in May. The first fall of rain was in May and continued till
November. The total rainfall of the year was 38.22 inches, being 15.07 below the previous
year and 7.78 below the usual average.
Diseases of the district .—The most prevalent diseases of the district are intermittent
fever, diarrhœa and dysentery, and occasional outbreaks of cholera. General dropsy associated
with anæmia is very prevalent among the sepoys.
Whether regiment has been on the march .—A detachment of 100 sepoys proceeded with
200 of Her Majesty's 67th Foot to Bhamo and Manwein, Upper Burmah, in the month of May
and returned in June. Only one man was on sick list during the march for an abscess in the
leg. Shortly after their return many of the men suffered from fever (intermittent).
Ventilation and drainage of the men's barrack-rooms, &.c.—The ventilation of the barrack-
rooms is good, effected by doors, windows and roof ventilation. The conformation of the ground
affords natural facilities for drainage, but a pucka drain is required near the cook-room of the
left wing where stagnant water sometimes rests in the surface drain.
Nuisance .—There was no nuisance during the year. The latrines are kept clean and
the night soil is removed twice daily, and carried to a distance of two miles into the jungle
where it is buried.
Water-supply .—The water-supply has been sufficient and of good quality ; it is obtained
from wells in the lines.
Diet .— The rations are supplied by the Commissariat Department. Vegetables are obtained
in abundance when in season.
Clothing.—The clothing is sufficient and adapted to the season. During the cold season
cloth clothing is worn and white in the hot months.
Foot soreness .—There have been very few cases of foot soreness.
Vaccination.—There were 41 cases vaccinated during the year, of which 35 were successful.
There have been no cases of small-pox.
Epidemic.—No epidemic has occurred in the regiment during the year. One case of mild
cholera occurred in June which recovered. No particular cause can be assigned for it, as the
disease was not prevailing in the town or cantonment at the time. In the month of August
14 cases occurred in the town with seven deaths and three in the jail, two of which died.
Hospital wards.—No overcrowding in general : for a few days the usual hospital ward was
full, and all additional cases admitted were accommodated in another ward generally occupied
by details of the Commissariat Department.
Hospital drainage .—The drainage is good. The latrines are kept clean and the excreta
removed twice daily. Dry earth is used and coal-tar applied when necessary.
Hospital water-supply .—A sufficient supply of good water is obtained from a well in the
hospital compound.