58
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL T. B. BEATTY, M.D.
This regiment has been stationary since the commencement of 1876, and during this
period the general health of the men has been, on the whole, satisfactory. Out of an average
strength of 631, there were 338 treated in hospital, with 3 deaths—1 being from cholera,
from diabetes, and 1 from bronchitis. No epidemic had occurred.
At the time of my inspection in February the scarcity of water which has prevailed over
the Deccan during the past year was particularly felt at Sholápur. Drinking water which,
under ordinary circumstances, is obtained from wells in the lines, had this season to be con
- v e y e d f r o m l o n g d i s t a n c e s , w h i c h o c c a s i o n e d g r e a t i n c o n v e n i e n c e .
The hospital, which can easily accommodate 20 patients, was clean and well managed.
A bath-room, however, is required for the use of the patients.
H. M.'s 12th Regiment N. I.
DHARWAR.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major C. F. OGILVIE, M.D.; strength 642.8.
Location and movements.
Detachments.
Kaládgi and Bijápur . . . 174
Kálghatghi . . . 23
Ránibennur . . . 23
Gadag . . . 23
Ron . . . 22
The head-quarters of the regiment has been stationary.
2. Detachments have been furnished to the places noted
in the margin. These detachments are, I believe, performing
duties which are usually executed by the police, the services of
the latter being required elsewhere in connection with famine
relief works.
3 . A n a n a l y s i s o f t h e d r i n k i n g w a t e r d e r i v e d f r o m t w o w e l l s w a s g i v e n i n m y l a s t
year's report, which showed that it is a fair specimen of potable
water.
4. The food chiefly used by the sepoys during a great part of the past year has been
very scarce and dear, and, as is always the case in seasons of
scarcity, a great quantity of inferior grain, which had evident--
ly been buried for some years, was thrown into the Market, and offered at a cheaper rate
to tempt (and too often with success) poor people to purchase it. The highest rate paid
by Government to sepoys for dearness of provisions during the year has been Rs. 4-15-2
in December. The lowest rate was 6 annas and 9 pies in February. In January the rate
was 10 annas and 5 pies. In February, March, and April it was under 8 annas. In May, June,
and July it ranged from 11 annas to 14 annas and 7 pies. In August it was Rs. 1-1-6;
September 14 annas and 11 pies; October Rs. 2-7-9; and November, Rs. 3-14-3.
Water-supply.
Food.
Duties and their effect on
health.
5. The duties of the regiment at head-quarters have
been those of the ordinary parades and guard duty. The
average number of consecutive nights in bed has been 9¾.
6. When not otherwise engaged, some of the men occupy themselves in the workshop,
at carpentery, smith's work, tailoring, boot-making, &c. Others
amuse themselves at the talimkhana, and I should much
like to see a gymnasium introduced for the native troops. I
am convinced it would be much resorted to by the men, especially the younger sepoys, and
would be followed with much benefit to their health and improvement in physical develop--
ment. During last monsoon I noticed with pleasure that some of the sepoys were always to
be seen at the gymkhana on Saturdays, and were very glad to join the officers and other
gentlemen at cricket, when invited to do so.
7. The new hospital has been occupied since the beginning of last monsoon. It is
built on the revised standard plan, and consists of two wards,
communicating with each other by an arch. At the end of each
ward is a door. The ground on which it is built has a gradual slope, so that the plinth
is considerably higher at one end than the other. There is a verandah on every side,
an d at each corner of the verandah there is one room. These four rooms are each
12 × 12. One is used as the office, the opposite one as a dispensary, and the other
two I have used as separate wards for the treatment of lung and eye diseases. For
the latter disease the ward is not suitable, there being no venetian shutters outside the
windows or door to darken the room. This I recommend should be done to both these
Exercise, amusement, and occu-
-pation.
Hospital and its surroundings.