Claimate of
the station.
Diseases of
the district.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, barrack
rooms, &c.
Nuisance.
Water-supply
Diet.
Liquor.
Clothing.
Foot soreness
Vaccination.
Epidemic.
Hospital
ventilation.
Hospital
drainage.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
ORTHERN DISTRICT.
31
Surgeon G. T. Thomas was in medical charge of the Left Wing during the year
and reports as follows
: —
Climate of the station.—The climate of the station during the past year has been excep
- t i o n a l l y h e a l t h y a s s e e n f r o m t h e n u m b e r o f a d m i s s i o n s i n t o h o s p i t a l , a n d t h e d a i l y a v e r a g e s i c k
4.86. In 1875 it was 8.4.
Diseases of the district.—The prevailing disease of the district is malarial fever of an
intermittent type generally, but which in the month of September assumed more of a remittent
character. The largest number of cases occurred during this and the colder months of the year.
Cholera visits the native town of Sumbulpore nearly every year. Small-pox, as an epidemic
disease, has disappeared owing to the widespread introduction of vaccination in the district.
Rheumatism, conjunctivitis, worms, &c., are the other ordinary diseases.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, barrack-rooms, &c.— Ventilation and drainage
of guard-rooms are good; the dampness of walls mentioned in last annual report has been.
remedied. The general drainage and conservancy in the lines in defective. V-shaped drains run
along the lines of huts; these are imperfectly joined and permit soakage. The drains open into
reservoirs situated at the west end of the lines; these also are a nuisance, overflowing into
the ground. The injurious nature of such a state of things is shown by the destruction of several
mango trees and contamination of a well, all within a few yards of the lines. The whole
question of drainage has been repeatedly represented to the proper authorities.
Nuisance .—Nuisances from the drainage as above mentioned existed, and were partially
obviated by strict attention to conservancy. No ash pits and public latrines exist. The 4
sweepers attached to the wing are insufficient to carry on the whole work of conservancy.
Besides removing the water (sewage) by pots from the reservoirs above-named, and the carting
away of rubbish, the 316 private latrines demand their attention. The dry-earth system is very
imperfectly carried out in these private latrines. One well, which is much used, was unprotected
from the surface washings; this has been remedied.
Water-supply.—Supply of water sufficient in quantity, and of fairly good quality.
Diet.—Provisions have been cheap and plentiful, also vegetables, especially in the cold
season. The regimental garden also supplies the men with a good quantity of vegetables.
Average compensation for the past year has been 2 annas 6 pies per month.
Liquor.—Arrack is the chief liquor used by the men, and is indulged in to a far greater
extent than is beneficial for their physical and moral welfare.
C l o t h i n g
. — S u f f i c i e n t a n d a d a p t e d t o t h e c l i m a t e .
Foot soreness from defective boots has prevailed to a very slight extent.
Vaccination.— Eighty successful, 16 unsuccessful, 3 doubtful. No cases of small-pox
occurred at all in the lines. No men have been re-vaccinated.
Epidemic.—The only disease that has been epidemic here has been intermittent fever
(quotidian); no typhoid symptoms were noticed, but in one fatal case, the fever being of an
adynamic or typhoid type, suppurative parotitis took place: 2 other fatal cases also occurred in
September; these and many others at this time admitted assumed a remittent form and were
not readily amenable to treatment. Out of 218 admissions, 118 or 54 per cent. were from
intermittent fever alone.
No overcrowding or defective ventilation has taken place. Water-supply, cleanliness,
clothing, &c. have been on the whole good; no illness is particularly attributable to any defect
in these subjects. State of drainage and. latrines has been noticed above; recommendations have
been frequently made with no result. Public latrines and dust-bins are necessary, and co-oper-
ation of the men themselves must be enlisted to secure a satisfactory state of conservancy.
Hospital ventilation good; no overcrowding has taken place.
Hospital drainage.— Condation of drainage and latrines satisfactory. The dry-earth system
of conservancy has been effectually carried out.
Hospital Water-supply.— Sufficient in quantity and of good character.
General conclusions.— The general health of the wing has been good. Intermittent fever
alone produced 118 admissions out of a total of 218. or 54 per cent. of the total admissions.
Rheumatism comes next, 11 admissions, or 5.04 on total admissions.
Eye disease caused
9
do.
3.66
do.
Respiratory do.
7
do.
3.21.
do.
Diarrhœa
do.
6
do.
2.75
do.
These were the chief diseases producing admissions. Deaths 3, two from remittent fever
with complications, pneumonia in one case, and melœna and pneumonia in a second. The third