POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
11. Cholera was prevalent during the year throughout the districts, and also in the
town and Sudder Bazaar. It was, therefore considered, advis
-
able to keep all men returning from leave or furlough with
their families in quarantine in the hospital compound for three days. In the month of
May, 2 children and 2 women were attacked with cholera while detained in the quarantine
tents. There was 1 death; but the disease never made its appearance in the lines.
12. Vaccination and re-vaccination have been assiduously carried out. All recruits are
vaccinated as soon as possible after enlistment, and the sepoys
who are not scarred with small-pox are being gradually protect--
ed by vaccination. Vaccination—37 successful, 7 unsuccessful ; of re-vaccination 38 were
successful and 26 unsuccessful. Twenty-eight men were invalided and 2 men discharged
with gratuity. The principal causes of invaliding were bronchitis and rheumatism. Nine
men were allowed leave on medical certificate for varying periods. The diseases from which
they were suffering were sciatica, bronchitis, Bright's disease, dyspepsia, acute rheumatism, and
phthisis.
Epidemic.
Vaccination.
General health and physique.
13. The general health and physique of the men are good.
14. Having used chloral hypodermically in many cases of cholera, both in the regimental
and civil hospitals, I have come to the conclusion that the
procedure, though not by any means a cure for the disease, is
still a very valuable adjunct to its treatment. The hypodermic injection of chloral speedily
relieves the cramps, allays pain, and in many instances produces sleep, thus preserving the
strength of the patient; it also mitigates the severity of the retching, and enables the stomach
to retain small quantities of nutriment and diffusible stimulants; I have not noticed that i t
in any way checks the diarrhœa. Unlike opium and chorodyne, chloral subcutaneously used,
while it gives relief, and even sometimes temporarily restores the pulse in the stage of collapse,
does not appear to aggravate the head symptoms during the secondary fever.
H. M.'s 3rd Regiment N. L. I.
KOLHA'PUR.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major C. JOHNSON; strength 54.7.
H. M,'s 3rd Regiment Bombay N. L. I. arrived in Camp Kolhápur on the 4th February
1876, having left Ahmedabad by wings on the 10th and 12th
January viâ Poona, which was reached on the 11th and 13th,
the regiment marching again on the 19th January from the
above-mentioned station. The regiment was remarkably healthy on the march. One man,
however, died of bronchitis on the 2nd February, three days from Kolhápur ; this man was
much debilitated from previous illness.
2. A detachment of one company marched on Kaládgi on the 6th February 1876, and
was reinforced by another company under command of an
European officer on the 14th November 1876, where they are
still doing duty.
3. The lines which are well situated are not well built ; they are placed on a ridge
towards the east of the cantonment, with a foundation of moorum
overlying trap rock. The ventilation and drainage are good; the
bazaar is tolerably well supplied; many of the men prefer to get their supplies from the
city, about two miles off, where they get them a trifle cheaper. Vegetables, and occasionally
fish, can be obtained, and beef and mutton of fair quality.
4. The water in the lines is very far from the surface, as they are built on a ridge of
trap rock. In the wells from which the water is drawn, 43 feet
from the surface, the water is good; but from the continued
demand becomes rather scarce, sometimes, during the hot weather; another well in the
vicinity of the lines would be of great advantage. There is no appreciable impurity. The
wells are well protected by a low and flagged with stone all round the surface. I should
recommend the digging of one new well and deepening the other during the end of the
h o t s e a s o n .
Treatment when special.
Location and movements of
corps.
Detachment.
Lines.
Water-supply.