Deaths.
There were 4 deaths.
36
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
often varies over 20° F. in a few hours, affords neither patient nor surgeon a fair change of good
results. I would suggest the partitioning off of one end of the ward for the treatment of such
cases. A light partition reaching to the cross beams would answer the purpose, and if fitted
with a broad central door and side windows—to be closed only as necessity required—it would
interfere neither with the general requirements of the hospital nor its sanitary condition.
11. The admissions into hospital during the year numbered 396; 23 cases remained at the
close of the previous year, making the total treated 419. There
were 100 re-admissions, leaving 319 as the number of men sick
in the year,—a percentage to strength of 54. The percentage
of treated to strength was 68.63. These numbers contrasted favourably with those of the
previous year, in which the admissions were 517, and the percentage of treated to strength
87.17.
Sickness, mortality, and invalid
-ing.
12. Twenty-four men were invalided—18 as worn out, and 6 disabled by diseases. The
cases of the latter were as follows:—1 heart disease (angina
pectoris) 1 impaired sight by opacity of cornea from chronic con
-junctivitis, 1 weak chest from chronic bronchitis, 1 hernia, 1 confirmed asthma, 1 impaired lung
from pneumonia. The length of service of the whole 24 men invalided averaged over 22
years. Three men were otherwise discharged: 1 by court-martial, and the other 2 as bad
characters. Nine men were sent for various periods to their homes on sick leave; of these, 5
returned well within the year, and the leave of 4 had unexpired. No deaths occurred
amongst men absent from the regiment on sick leave, furlough, or detachment duty.
13. The diminution in sickness compared with the returns for the previous year, appears
chiefly under the head of fevers and agues, and doubtless due
to the circumstance of the stationary residence of the regiment
at this place. As noted in my report for 1875, no less than 98 cases of febricula and ague
were admitted in December, when the regiment was under canvas at Poona, and on the
march from thence. During the first quarter of the past year the sick list was considerably
swelled by re-admissions from these cases. During the latter half of July and throughout
August, both diarrhœa and dysentery were prevalent, 20 cases of diarrhœa and 22 of dysen-
-tery coming on under treatment during this period, out of a total of 23 of the former, and 33
of the latter admitted during the year. Many of these cases appeared referable to the con
-sumption of unwholesome grain as an exciting cause.
14. Of the 4 deaths, 3 were from remittent fever. In 2 pneumonia was the complica-
tion inducing to a fatal result; both of these occurred in the hot
season—one in March, the other in May. The third case was in
September, the patient was aged, having served in the ranks over 34 years. He died from
exhaustion 12 days after admission. The fourth death occurred in November. The man
returned from leave in an emaciated condition, and died from exhaustion, consequent on
chronic diarrhœa, after 24 days' treatment. His diseased condition appeared to have been
induced by a habit of opium-eating.
15. The deaths all occurred amongst Hindus: 1 a Hin
-dustani, 2 were from the Konkan, and 1 from the Deccan.
Invaliding.
Principal causes of sickness.
Cause of mortality.
Race.
Epidemics.
16. There has been no case of cholera.
A sepoy's child was attacked with small-pox in February. The child had two fair vacci
-nation marks. The case was treated in a tent placed in a suitable position outside camp,
and the child made a good recovery, though it suffered severely, the eruption being partially
confluent.
17. Weekly vaccinations from arm to arm have been made throughout the year. Every
healthy child born in the regiment and regimental bazaar has
been vaccinated at an average age of about 2 months; 123 out
of 125 vaccinations were successful. The arms of children arriving with men from furlough,
&c., have also been scrutinized, and those without satisfactory marks at once vaccinated.
During March and April 185 sepoys, whose marks were not considered good, were re
-vaccinated; 46 of these operations were successful.
Vaccination.
General health and physique.
18. The general health of the regiment is good, and the
physique of the majority of the men of very fair standard.
19. Continued observation of the use of cinchonidine has confirmed me in the belief
that, though it may generally be depended upon as an anti
-periodic in cases of simple intermittent fever, it has to be used in
larger quantity, and is less certain in its operation, than quinine.
Treatment of disease when spe
-cial.