POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
43
H. M.’s 4th Rifles.
SATARA.—In medical charge of Surgeon E. COLSON ; strength 322.6.
The head-quarters have been stationed at Satara during the year. The regiment was
in orders to proceed to Dharwar, but owing to the famine it
was not moved. Detachments, as before, were stationed at
Bombay and Assirghar.
Location and movement of
troops.
Conservancy and sanitary ar-
rangements.
2. The arrangements for conservancy are those of last
year, and no change has been made.
3. These are in the same state as that of last year.
4. The total rainfall registered at the Rifles Hospital was 27 inches and 8 cents. That
registered at the Civil Hospital was 31 inches. The showers
here are exceedingly local, and this, I think, accounts for the
difference. In the month of April the three wells supplying the lines were entirely dry, and
the sepoys had to fetch their water from the distance of a mile.
5. The water-supply for a part of the year is certainly most inadequate, and these
matters demand the most serious attention. The water itself is
impregnated with earthy salts, and goitre and calculus in the
bladder are common in this district. I have not as yet observed any of the above-mentioned
diseases amongst the sepoys and their families.
6. Owing to the deficient rainfall, prices have increased, as compared with last year, a
hundred per cent. In the month of October jowári and bájri
were sold in the bazaar at the rate of 7 seers per rupee.
Matters have to this date slightly improved, bájri and jowári being now at 9 seers. Com-
pensation has, therefore, been much increased.
Lines.
Rainfall.
Water-supply.
Food.
Duties and their effect on health.
7. Nothing prejudicial has been observed. Average
number of consecutive nights in bed was four and half.
8. On the 1st March a larger bungalow, still deeper in the bazaar, was rented ; but, as
stated in the last report, a properly-appointed hospital out
of the bazaar is urgently needed. The following table shows the
cubic capacity and superficial area of the rooms of the present building occupied as a hos-
pital :—
Names of buildings.
Cubic feet.
Superficial area.
Central room
...
... ...
...
...
...
5,256
438
Rear room ...
...
...
...
...
...
.
..
2,088
174
No. 1 ...
...
...
... ...
1,230
120
Side rooms
...
„ 2
...
...
...
...
...
1,230
120
„ 3
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
1,204
112
„
4 ...
... ...
...
...
1,204
112
Verandah rooms.
„ 1 ...
...
...
...
...
1,071
122½
„ 2 ...
...
...
... ...
831
85¼
The conservancy and water-supply are good.
9. The number of admissions has amounted to 363, showing an increase of 60 over
that of the previous year. This difference is nearly accounted
Sickness.
for by the excess of admissions from ague and bronchitis. Many
of the fever cases were simple and uncomplicated. These, of course, with exception of one-
third part of admissions, in which it was deemed necessary to exhibit quinine, yielded readily
to cinchonidine. One case of remittent fever during the year made a slow, but in the end
satisfactory, recovery. Thirty-seven cases of chronic rheumatism and 7 lumbago have
been under treatment. Most of the cases of chronic rheumatism had a scurvy taint. In
these anti-scorbutics were followed by satisfactory result. Two of them were sent on sick
leave, and 2 invalided. Three cases of dysentery and 14 cases of diarrhœa, of mild form,
were treated, with exception of 1 case of diarrhœa, which was sent on sick leave to his
country, as he was much exhausted by disease. Under the head of respiratory system 24
cases of bronchitis were admitted, of whom 1 died. Pneumonic phthisis 2, and pleurisy
1. The sepoy affected with phthisis was sent on sick leave to his native country ; the change
was of little or no benefit. On his return he was invalided. A case of pleurisy was sent
Hospital and its surroundings.