141
two months afterwards. At the same time that enteric fever made its appearance small-
pox was also prevalent in the lines, Dr. Wyllie, the Deputy Surgeon General of the Division >
took much interest in the matter and together we made a most careful examination of the
sepoys' huts with a view to discovering the cause of the epidemic disease, We found that
the bathing water and probably matters more offensive were emptied from the interior down
a narrow underground drain which passed beneath the verandah and ended in a stagnant
and very offensive puddle banked with mud. In the centre of this a shrub or stick had been
planted with the idea that it would help to absorb the dirty water at its base and eventually
become a tree. We were of opinion that at night when the door of the hut was shut and
the atmosphere inside became heated and rarified while the air of the exterior became
cooled, noxious gases were drawn in from the rotting puddle outside by means of the covered
drain, thus producing conditions favourable to blood-poisoning. The drains were all
opened, cleansed and kept uncovered, and all stagnant water was removed. We found many
of the channels partially blocked with various stinking abominations.
After this no fresh case of enteric fever occurred. As regards the probable causa-
tion of the fever in this instance, I particularly examined the hut of every case admitted to
hospital and found the insanitary conditions of residence described.
With reference to paragraph 3 of the Surgeon General's circular under reply, I think
that it is sometimes most difficult to decide whether the case under observation is one of
remittent or enteric fever. I have seen a case (reported from Ratnágiri Jail Hospital)
having at the outset all the characters of malarial fever, afterwards develop into enteric
and prove fatal by bowel perforation. Had the man recovered and no complication arisen
he would have been returned as 'remittent'. On the whole I should say that enteric fever
in the native is more likely to be mistaken for remittent fever than vice versa.
I have not observed any connection between infantile remittent and enteric fever.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
H. McCALMAN, M.D., Surgeon,
Civil Surgeon."
I am indebted to Surgeon Damania for the following extremely interesting
case of Sepoy Bhisoo Eawool of the 19th Regiment Native Infantry stationed
to Málegaon. The portion of diseased intestine was at my request forwarded to
Surgeon Major Waters, Professor of Pathology and the Curator of the Patho-
logical Museum at the Grant College, who has had it mounted, and it is, I
believe, the only specimen in the Museum showing the typical pathological
lesions of enteric fever in a native.
"Case of Enteric Fever in a Sepoy of the 19th Regiment N. I., stationed at Málegaon.
*(a). Name.—Bhisoo Rawool.
(6). Caste.—Márátha (cultivator).
(c). Length of service.—2 years and 8 months.
(d). Stations he had served in,—This man was a volunteer to this Regiment (19th N. I.)
from the 6th R. I when that Regiment was disbanded at Neemuch in the month of
1882. As the 6th R. I. was at Neemuch for about three years this man had only served in
Neemuch previous to his joining this Regiment.
(e). Dates of admission into hospital and periods passed in hospital.
(1). Was admitted into hospital with ague on 12th April 1881 (Neemuch) and
discharged to duty on 18th April 1881, being in hospital for 7 days.
(2). He was again admitted into hospital with bronchitis on 19th March 1882
and discharged to duty on 23rd March 1882, being in hospital for 5 days (Neemuch).
These were the only admissions previous to the last, and they were in Neemuch
only.
(f). Mesenteric glands were found slightly enlarged and not to such an extent as might
be expected from the amount of mischief found in the intestines.
(g). Ulcers, in the lower part of the ileum were more or less round in shape, but I
believe they were in Peyer's patches two or three or perhaps more of them running into
one another.
(h). There are two wells in the lines from which men draw their drinking water, one
is for the 'Mochis' and the other for the rest of the men, and it was from the latter that
this man procured his drinking water. This water has not been analysed.
*These remarks are answers to questions asked after the receipt of the case —T. G. H,
* 357—36