Principal causes of sickness.
Causes of mortality.
Mortality according to races.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
General health and physique.
87
Hospital.
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
3. No alteration since 1874; buildings and arrangements
leave nothing to be desired.
4 . T h e g r e a t c a u s e o f i n e f f i c i e n c y w a s m a l a r i a l f e v e r , o f w h i c h 4 7 a d m i s s i o n s w e r e c a s e s
of ague and 2 of the remittent type. The cases of remittent were
characterized by an intense hot stage, violent headache, severe
gastric irritation followed by great depression of the nervous and
ganglionic systems. In one case delirium set in, which under
careful treatment soon passed off. Both were discharged to duty. These were 2 cases of
measles of the variety "morbilli mitiores." In one case bronchitis supervened, but after a few
days' treatment convalescence was established. There were 10 cases of rheumatism, bron
-
chitis 6, dysentery 4, colic 21, hæmorrhoids 5, jaundice 1, gonorrhœa 3, orchitis 2, abscess
6, guineaworm 2, psoriasis 1, scabies 1, boil 4, phthisis pulmonalis 1, carbuncle 1, whitlow 2,
general debility 3, contusions 58. In January a sowar, aged 36, who was nearly 14 days on the
sick list, died of phthisis pulmonalis. He was ailing for more than one year; but being a hard
-
working, steady, pay orderly, he was reluclant to go to hospital. In June a naique whilst out
shikaring sustained a gun-shot wound of the chest. A slug about the size of a pea
entered half an inch below and to the outer side of the left nipple, perforated the pleura,
grazed the pericardium, and lodged under the integument over the angle of the sixth rib
on the left side. An incision was made and the bullet easily extracted. Localized pneumo
-
nia and pleurisy ensued, but in twenty-one days convalescence took place. He is still troubled
with cough, especially on exertion. Thirteen men were invalided, 4 of which were discharg
-
ed with gratuity. The chief causes of invaliding were syphilitic rheumatism, hæmorrhoids,
old age and debility; 2 men were discharged by court-martial, and 2 deserted.
Sickness, mortality, and invalid
-
ing.
5. The chief causes of disease were malaria, vicissitudes
of temperature, falls and kicks from horses, inadequate clothing
during the cold season.
6. Phthisis pulmonalis of twelve months' standing.
7. The sowar who died was a Musalman.
8. No epidemic.
9. Fifty-three children were successfully vaccinated and
11 recruits were successfully re-vaccinated.
10. General health very good; physique good.
10. In reviewing the medical history of the year it will be seen the health of the sowars
was good; that, contrasted with 1875, there was a diminution
of admissions to the extent of 6 cases. The admissions were
45 less than in 1874 and 76 less than in 1873. The daily average sick was 6.51 compared
with 9.4 of 1875. The average strength was 287, admissions 217, and the proportion of
admissions to strength per cent., 75.61. A sowar died in hospital, 2 men proceeded on
sick leave, 42 obtained furlough, 2 discharged the service by court-martial, 2 deserted,
and 26 recruits enlisted. The chief causes of admission were paroxysmal fevers, contusions,
and bowel complaints. The greatest daily average sick was in September and October,
especially in the latter, when the diurnal range of temperature is greatest. The days very
hot, and the mornings comparatively cool. The health of the European officers has been
excellent.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
The sanitary history of this corps for the year is fully satisfactory, the returns showing
a very moderate number of admissions, and only one 1 death. Surrounding conditions are
all favourable, and the duties were light. No change in the lines, which, although old, have
sufficient accommodation, and the huts adequate cubage. For some months past sewage
from family quarters has been collected in vessels placed outside the huts and daily removed
by puckals. This is the only instance within either division in which any oranized arrange
-
ment exists for the removal of sullage from native lines which is elsewhere left to soak and
pollute the ground, and the example is commendable and decidedly deserving of imitation
in the interests of health. Hospital excellent and commodious; its arrangements all good.
No alterations or additions during the year, and none required; vaccination was fully carried
out among the families.
(In this report no mention of the numbers of the treated, died, &c., of the detachment,
stated in para. 1, is made.)
Resumé.