Lock-up rooms and cells.
Marches.
64
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
shrunk, and doubled at the toes, with strong elastic let in on each side of the instep. The
advantages of this shoe would be lightness, durability, and enhanced comfort; it would
not gall,—so common an evil with the boot now in vogue, and so frequent a cause of admission
into hospital; nor would it require to be taken off in fording rivers, &c.
The shoe, to be worn with a gaiter, to commence about three inches below the knee,
and to come well down over its top to keep out sand and protect the foot from injury by
thorns, or otherwise. The gaiter should also be made of brown canvas, fastened on the out
-
side of the leg, above and below, by two elastic steel bars (galvanized) which, running the
whole length of the gaiter, slide one into the other with slight pressure, and are so readily
adjusted that the gaiter can be put on in less than half a minute, whilst it can be taken off in
even less time, to the saving of trouble to the tired soldier. Some such contrivance would
obviate the necessity of buttons, might even prove a protection to the outer part of the leg,
and would certainly be a support in marching. Sporting men will readily understand the kind
of article meant. The boot now in use by mounted infantry officers might be replaced by
this shoe and gaiter, more especially as in the present mode of warfare they must be dis
-
mounted when in action.
In place of the present trouser it is suggested that breeches, quite loose and comfortable
above the knee, but tight below and coming half way down the calf, to fit under the gaiter,
might be tried, which could be made of the same colour and material as those now in use,
only with greater attention in order to secure a good fit. The coat ought to be loose round
the chest and over the shoulders; and if it were cut in the fashion of the well-known "Norfolk,"
but without collar of any sort, it would be a great improvement on the present pattern, both
as to health, comfort, and appearance.
For the rains and cool weather one coat of serge and a second of cloth for full dress
should be supplied; whilst in the hot months white coats and breeches of American drill, simi
-
lar in cut to the darker suits, would be advisable.
10. Although the duty is not light here, I am given to understand that it is far less
heavy than the regiment had at Aden and Poona. In my
opinion, the marching of guards to and from the city, 3 miles off,
accounted for many cases of sickness, several men having been admitted into hospital from
this duty; again, the principal guard-room at the jail is like an oven in the hot weather; it is
not ventilated, and has no verandah, so that the sun shines right into it up to 12 o'clock.
11. The Punjaubis and Hindoostanis are taking more to gymnastics here than at
Poona. The commanding officer tells me that with a few ex
-
ceptions he has never known the Deccanis or Konkanis go in
for them. The principal amusements and exercises are wrestling
and gymnastics. There were the usual number of competitors at the soldiers' exhibition in
Poona. The men have enough occupation, though they would consider it a boon if they had a
p l o t o f g r o u n d t o c u l t i v a t e .
Duties and their effect on health.
Exercsie, amusement, and occu
-
pation.
12. Lock-up rooms are 4 in number, of ample cubic capa
-
city, and in every respect adapted to their purpose.
13. Marches none, except to relieve detachments at Sádra
,
and a few escorts to Mysána and Wadhwán.
14. The hospital is situated to the north-east of the camp, not far from the lines, and
there is nothing to object to in its surroundings. The natural
drainage is good, the ground sloping down towards the river.
The building is substantial, placed within an enclosed compound on a plinth raised enough
to ensure dryness, with wide verandahs open in one side, shut in on the other, and is alto -
gether excellently adapted to the purpose. The cubic capacity of the larger ward allotted to
the regiment is 25,410 feet; by placing the beds between the windows 22 can be accommo -
dated, giving man 1,150 feet; this is not enough. But when the whole hospital is given
back to the regiment, there will be 38,654 feet, and ample accommodation for the sick in the
two wards they will then have.
Hospital and its surroundings.
Ventilation.
The ventilation of the hospital is satisfactory (roof).
There had not been much over-crowding until September, when I found it necessary to
report that, in consequence of the prevalence of choleraic
diarrhœa, ophthalmia and fever, the hospital was over-crowded,
when open tents were pitched in the compound, and all was done to remedy the defect that
was practicable. I may mention that in consequence of the European hospital having been
swept away in the flood, one of the two hospitals previously allotted to Native troops was given
up to the European, and since that time the sick of the two Native regiments have been
Over-crowding.