Rheumatism.
Lumbago.
Syphilis.
Scurvy.
66
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
On 24th May the first case of malignant cholera in a private was admitted into the hos
-
pital 1st (Grenadier) Regiment N. I.; the patient was isolated,
and all needful sanitary arrangements were made, and precau
-
tions against its spread adopted, both in the hospital and in the lines; the case recovered.
In August another case occurred, which ended fatally, and in September a third, which also
died, and it was found necessary on 3rd September to move part of a company into camp; the
men, however, were brought in again after a few days, and no more cases occurred. I may
mention as a curious fact, for which I am indebted to the Deputy Surgeon-General, that
when cholera occurred in the camp it ceased in the city for a time, re-appearing in the latter
as it died out in camp. This coincidence was noticed on two occasions. There were 2 cases
of choleraic diarrhœa among privates and 5 others, one of the latter being that of hospital
assistant Balloo Lingoo; all recovered.
Malignant cholera.
Rheumatism was a frequent cause of admission in old
-
service men; of the 47 cases treated, 4 were invalided. The case
of acute rheumatism was discharged cured.
Lumbago accounted for 20 admissions, of which 2 were
invalided.
Only 3 cases of primary syphilis applied which were suc
-
cessfully treated by mercurial vapour baths.
Although a very common cause of cachexia among the
men, gave only 5 admissions, 4 of which were invalided.
Three cases occurred, 1 being a sepoy of 18th Regiment N. I., who was admitted when
en route to Deesa to rejoin on his return from sick leave; all was
done in the way of diet and medicine to save him, but he sank
after six weeks' treatment in hospital.
Phthisis pulmonalis.
Sun-stroke.
This man came off the jail guard, and was admitted in an
insensible state; cold douche and rum brought him round, and
he soon recovered.
This case occurred during the rains, and was idiopathic, or perhaps it would be more
correct to say that no cause was discovered; he was ill for over
a day in the lines before applying for treatment. Cannabis
indica in 5-grain doses was given repeatedly, choloroform inhalation and chloral, and strong
soup and stimulants, but all failed, and he sank on the second day after admission, and third
after attack.
This was an interesting case. He was admitted into hospital in March 1876 on his return
from sick leave, and remained under treatment until he was
invalided in November. There was a history of malarious fever,
and quinine in large doses was tried internally and sub-cutaneously injected in the arm
affected (right). At one time there seemed to be a slight improvement, but it was only
temporary; a variety of drugs were tried—chloral, bromide of potassum, tinc. of belladonna,
tincture of nux vomica, tonics, ammoniated sulphate of copper at the suggestion of the
Deputy Surgeon-General, electricity, hypodermic injection of morphia, good diet, counter
-
irritants to spine, but nothing gave any permanent benefit.
One case of mania was under treatment. The symptoms set in suddenly. Some said he
was a ganjah smoker; but this he persistently denied. He ap
-
peared to improve under iodide and bromide of potassium,
chloral at night, quinine, good diet and blistering, and he was eventually invalided.
Conjunctivitis of a mild character was very prevalent, 55 cases having been treated; they
all, however, recovered rapidly. Lead and opium collyria were
used, the lids outside painted with. tincture of iodine, and
quinine was administered internally at the suggestion of Dr. Wylie, whose experiences of
disease at this place had led him to regard most of these cases as of malarious origin. I must
say that the treatment was eminently successful.
Bronchitis was a common cause of admission, 57 cases in all having been treated; 1 died,
who was old and broken down, and 7 were invalided. Treat
-
ment was generally stimulating expectorants.
Tetanus.
Shaking palsy.
Mania.
Conjunctivitis.
Bronchitis.
Asthma.
Of the 2 cases of asthma, one was discharged to duty, and
the other sent away on sick leave; they were both cases of func
-
tional disorder.
Pneumonia gives 4 cases; 1 of these occurred in a recruit from the Konkan. Of the
4 cases, 1 ended fatally; all were of markedly low type, and
called for decided stimulation.
Pneumonia.