126
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
from ague. In analysing the principal causes of admissions into hospital it will be observed
that more than half the cases were due to malarious affections. The rest were ulcers, injuries
and accidents, venereal complaints, pneumonia and bronchitis, skin-diseases, and dysentery.
There were 2 deaths in hospital, both from pneumonia, and 3 out of hospital—one in the
case of a suicide who shot himself with his carbine through the abdomen, causing death in
a few hours from fatal injury to the liver. Percentage of mortality to strength, 0 . 5 per cent.
10. The amount of rainfall during the year has been registered as 6 . 08 inches. This
fell during the months of January, February, March, June,
Influence of rainfall.
July, August, October, November and December. The largest
amount fell in July (3 . 65 in.)
The sanitary condition of the surroundings of the regimental lines and hospital during
the rainy season is extremely defective consequent upon the accumulation of water after heavy
showers of rain and the defective drainage which- permits such collection to stagnate over a
large surface of ground for several days, or such time until the water gradually disappears
by subsidence and evaporation. All the conditions for the generation of malaria and the
production of fevers which undermine the constitution of the native soldiers of this district
prevailed under these circumstances in an eminent degree during the last rainy season, which
was comparatively a severe one; 3 . 65 inches of rain fell on three consecutive days, flooding a
great part of the horse lines, and submerging most of the surrounding men's lines. The
water, not having any ready means of exit, only disappeared gradually, though completely,
through the porous soil. The regimental hospital suffered more or less from the accumula
tion of rain-water, which stagnated in its neighbourhood; and owing to the high temperature
of the air at this season, combined with the presence of vegetable matter used in road-mak-
-ing, and other organic matters present by accidental circumstances, the noxious gas evolved
by putrefaction became disagreeably perceptible to . the senses of the inmates and those whose
duty compelled them to visit this neighbourhood. Whether diseases increased or not at this
particular period of the year, it may not be easy to demonstrate; but there can be little doubt
that the conditions above described cannot be conducive to health, such conditions being in
total antagonism with the ordinary principles of hygiene.
With the view of discovering the true cause of this accumulation of water in this part of
camp, perhaps I cannot do better than compare it with the remaining portion of camps where
the drainage is of a more satisfactory nature, and where little, if any, water is found to accu-
mulate.
Presuming that the general ground level within camp limits is pretty equal in all direc-
tions, I cannot but attribute the accumulation, confinement, and stagnation of the rain water
in the neighbourhood of the regimental lines and hospital to the absence of a proper system
of surface drainage.
As to the practicability of introducing the necessary drainage for carrying away the
surface-water from camp limits in a country remarkable for the general levelness of its sur
face, there may exist a difference of opinion; but engineering skill, I have no doubt, will over-
come all obstacles, if the expenditure necessary for establishing a system of drainage is sanc-
tioned, and measures were adopted for filling up the hollows which may exist in the neigh-
bourhood of the hospital and lines, not merely by having recourse to the silt and refuse from
drains, but by the more effectual method of carting the necessary amount of earth from be-
yond camp limits.
Vaccination.
11. Primary vaccinations 52, re-vaccination s 470, successfully,
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL F. G. JOYNT, M. D.
The lines are well built, but the ventilation is defective; accommodation is ample; no
change has yet been made in the objectionable conservancy arrangements. Hospital visited
18th January 1877; its sanitary condition is fair, accommodation sufficient for the wants of
the sick.
Detachment H. M.'s 3rd Regiment Sind Horse.
JACOBABAD.—In medical charge of Surgeon M. L. BARTHOLOMEUSZ, M.B.; strength, 111.
1. The detachment 3rd Sind Horse has been quartered at
Location and movements of
Jacobabad since the head-quarters of the regiment marched to
corps.
Khelat, in Beloochistan, in April last,