106
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
with chronic hydrocele (operated on twice), was discharged the service with gratuity.
Eighteen cases of diarrhœa and 18 of colic, occurring chiefly during the rains and on
the march, were treated and discharged to duty. None of these cases were much worse than
mild, presenting only the ordinary symptoms of these diseases, as generally found among
natives. Hepatitis 1 case, which occurred in February, was, when improved, finally trans
-ferred to Agar to his own company. Simple enlargement of the liver, 1 case in a young
sepoy, the result of constant ague, had ultimately to be discharged on sick certificate to the
Konkan. Jaundice 5 cases, due chiefly to climate, malaria, and frequent derangement of
hepatic organs from ague; 4 of these were discharged well to duty, but 1 man had to be
sent on sick certificate, owing to protracted general debility, consequent on the passage of a
gall stone, the intense spasms produced being instantly controlled by the administration of
the bromide of potassium in full doses gs. xv. Hydrocele, 2 cases treated for radical cures
with the tincture iodine injected, undiluted, but were ultimately recommended
to be invalided, as never likely to be fit for active service. One of these was pensioned,
the other discharged with gratuity. Orchitis, 4 mild cases quickly returned to duty. Syno
-vitis, 3 cases treated in 2 individuals; these cases were all tedious and chronic, requiring re
-peated blisters and counter-irritation with tonics, but were, in every case, ultimately dis
-charged well to duty. The case of periostitis recorded was, I believe, transferred with the re
-lieving detachment proceeding to Agar in the month of March. Guineaworm, 8 were admitted;
these cases were contracted, either by young sepoys or recruits from the Konkan; all were
finally discharged well to duty. Under diseases of the cutaneous system, those chiefly re
-quiring notice are 23 boils and 10 scabies which, especially the latter, appear endemic to a
degree at Mehidpore and due, the former, apparently to debility with bad and impurely
potable water, and the latter, to want of personal cleanliness; this latter complaint is, especially
at Mehidpore, highly infectious, having many severe varieties of the disease, and seems to
pervade the native community, both great and small, most of whom appear affected.
Debility, 9 cases reported, of which 8 were discharged, but 1 man of over 30 years'
service was invalided. Contusions 61; of these mostly all refer to the lower extremities, and
were due to shoe-bites while either in quarters or on the march. Dislocation of hip, 1
produced by violent wrestling, and having been reduced, after prolonged detention in hospi
-tal, was discharged well to duty. All the other few cases remaining, and not given in this
report, were mild and in due course discharged to duty.
The number of men who proceeded on sick certificate was 8, viz., 2 for ague, 2 for chancre
1 dysentery, 1 jaundice, 1 enlargement of liver, and 1 pleurodynia with dyspepsia. The
number invalided was 21, viz., 5 for general debility, 6 bronchitis, 1 asthma, 1 remittent
fever, 1 ague, 2 chronic rheumatism, 1 lumbago, 1 true leprosy, 1 dementia, 1 hydrocele,
1 inguinal hernia; 18 of these men were treated in hospital; the other 3 were taken from
the lines as "unfits."
13. The chief causes of sickness were due to climate and malaria, especially during
and after the rains. These co-operating with over-exposure to
cold, wet, damp low-lying lines badly built and badly situated,
together with water of bad quality, with clothing and perhaps food indifferent in kind, (the
latter also together perhaps often badly cooked,) appear to have been the chief factors under
this head. I have no doubt; that a considerable amount of preventable disease is produced by
the almost total absence of warm flannel inside clothing.
1 4 . O n e n a t i v e o f f i c e r d i e d f r o m r e m i t t e n t f e v e r a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h m u c h d e l i r i u m
and intestinal hæmorrhage. One death was from asthma and
general debility, and the third was from remittent fever com
-plicated with pneumonia.
Principal cause of sickness.
Causes of mortality.
Mortality according to race.
Epidemics.
15. One Mussulman and 2 Hindus.
16. None at either station this year.
17. During the year there were 62 primary (in children of lines) and 77 re-vaccinations
in recruits; the primary were all successful, and 18 out
of 77 re-vaccinations were unsuccessful; the quality of lymph
was generally good.
18. The general health has been most unsatisfactory throughout the year, for the
reasons already adduced, chiefly referrible to soil, climate,
and malaria. The general physique is, for the most part,
good.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
General health and physique
of the men.