If regiment
has been on
the march.
Position of
lines.
Drainage of
lines.
Nuisance.
Water-supply
Foot soreness.
Vaccination.
Epidemic.
Ventilation of
hospital.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
126
Climate of
the station.
Diseases of
the district.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Surgeon C. A. Harvey was in medical charge of this corps during the year
and reports as follows:—
Climate of the station.—The climate of Nagode, where the regiment was stationed the
greater part of the year, was on the whole favorable to health. There was very little sickness
in the hot weather and complete freedom from epidemics, although cholera of a severe type
was prevalent in many of the neighbouring villages.
Diseases of the district.— Cholera and small-pox are of frequent occurrence in the town of
Nagode. The various types of malarious fevers are common in the district and in the cold
season; pneumonia, bronchitis and rheumatism are observed. Many of the poorer classes suffer
from partial paralysis of the lower extremities, said to be caused by eating muttur dhal
(Lathyrus sativus), which forms their staple article of diet.
If regiment has been on the march.—The regiment left Nagode en route to Delhi on
7th November, reached its destination on 18th December, and was encamped there the remainder
of the year.
Position of lines.— The lines at Nagode were situated on an elevated plot of ground in
the western position of the cantonment. The huts were of mud with tiled roofs, and the site
was in every respect healthy.
Drainage of lines.— The lines at Nagode were well drained by means of open saucer
-shaped drains of masonry.
Nuisance.— There was no nuisance.
Water-suply .—The watersupply at Nagode during the year was abundant, of good
quality, and obtained from wells.
Diet.
Liquors,
Clothing.
Sanitary
arrange
- m e n t s .S
a n i t a r y a r r a n g e m e n t s . —
T h e r e
w a s n o l o c a l c a u s e o f d i s e a s e r e q u i r i n g r e m o v a l , a n d a l l
sanitary arrangements were properly attended to.
Diet.—With the exception of rice all the necessaries of life were cheap and plentiful at
Nagode, and vegetables were easily procurable. On the line of march, and at Delhi, supplies of
all kinds were abundant. The men received compensation on account of dearness of rice every
month in the year.
Liquors.—The liquor at Nagode was obtained from the flowers of the mohwal tree (Bassia
longifolia). Its use was very injurious to health. At each halting place on the march to Delhi
the liquor shops were closed by order of the civil authorities, a most salutary arrangement.
Clothing—The clothing was made to vary with the season of the year.
Foot soreness.— Many cases of this description were observed, but as a rule the sores were
so trivial that admission to hospital was seldom necessary.
Vaccination—Total number vaccinated during the year 129, of which 113 or 88.28 were
successful. No case of small-pox.
Epidemic.—No epidemics during the year.
Ventilation of hospital.—The hospital at Nagode was well ventilated. No overcrowding.
D rainage of
hospital.
Drainage of hospital.— The drainage of the hospital at Nagode was satisfactory. The
dry-earth system of conservancy was in use.
Hospital water-supply was obtained from a well close to the building. The quality
was good and quantity sufficient.
General conclusions.— Total number of admissions during the year 661. This contrasts
unfavorably with last year, when there were only 361 admitted. The increase of sickness,
was without doubt due to exposure to cold on the line of march and in the camp at Delhi.
As usual the different varieties of malarious fevers furnished more than half the number of
admissions, viz., 389, of which 4 were cases of remittent fever, 293 quotidian ague, 28
tertian ague, and 64 irregular. One of the cases of remittent fever terminated fatally. The
fever, as a rule, was of a mild type, not often complicated, and rarely followed by enlarged
spleen. The men bore the fatigue of the long march to Delhi admirably, and there were no
attempts at malingering. Six deaths occurred during the year, 2 in hospital and 4 out
of hospital. One death in hospital was caused by remittent fever and 1 by pneumonia. Of
the 4 deaths out of hospital 2 were due to phthisis pulmonalis, 1 to hepatitis, and 1 to
general debility. Twenty-two men were pensioned and 4 sent on sick leave to their
native villages. Nagode, where the regiment was stationed the greater part of the year, is
now abandoned as a military cantonment.