SIND DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
125
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL F. G. JOYNT, M.D.
The sanitary condition of the lines is fair and accommodation is ample. The water-
supply is abundant, but laden with salts. Malaria has been worse than usual during the past
year. Hospital visited 17th January 1877. Sanitary state fair, accommodation sufficient
under ordinary circumstances, but hospital liable to overcrowding when malaria is rife; the
other buildings appear to be somewhat too close to it. I noticed that the walls were damp
for two feet from the floor, which, considering the nature of the soil, is not to be wondered at.
The plinth is insufficient, and ought to be of burnt bricks.
H. M.'s 2nd Sind Horse.
JACOBABAD.—In medical charge of Surgeon M. L. BARTHOLOMEUSZ, .M.B. ;strength, 340
.
1. The head-quarters of the regiment have not moved out of Jacobabad during the year.
On an average, 97 sabres have been absent on out-post duty. A
Location and movement of corps. troop of 82 sabres proceeded to Sukkur as a guard of honour
to His Excellency the Viceroy. This troop was away from head-quarters for fourteen days
2. The climate of Jacobabad has been so frequently described in previous reports of
officers in medical charge of regiments serving in this frontier,
Climate, that any further remarks would merely involve a repetition of
facts. There appears to me, however, to remain one important subject, partially connected
with this topic, which might, with advantage, be touched upon, and that is a want which must
some day be supplied if troops continue to be permanently stationed here. I refer to the estab-
lishing of a sanatarium in connection with this district. Miagwan has before this, I believe,
been recommended for this purpose; its proximity to Jacobabad and its genial hill climate
are sufficient recommendations in its favour as a sanitarium for the Upper Sind District.
Miagwan is a spur of the Kirthar range, connected by a neck of land with the main.
range at the Hondawar peak. Miagwan slopes down to the south and west into the Khenji
Valley, and has an escarped face towards Sind. It lies about 40 miles to the west of Khaira
Garhi and 90 miles from Jacobabad, and commands an altitude of about 6,500 feet above
the level of the sea. Judging from the altitude, the climate must be almost typical as a
sanitarium; and should this be established, it would be an inestimable boon to the officers of
this district, and their families broken down with ill-health, and who are at present compelled
to proceed to England or in the distant hill-stations on the Himalayan range to recruit their
health.
3. The regimental lines have been described, but the defective ventilation reported upon
has not been remedied. The conservancy arrangements remain
Lines.
the same.
4. In my last reporte the question of water-supply in camp was fully dilated upon. The
wells in camp have, during the course of the year, been
Water.
cleaned out and repaired, but the supply of filters to the different
out-posts, where the water is very impure, has not yet been sanctioned.
5 . F o o d i s p l e n t i f u l , a n d o f g o o d q u a l i t y t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r , e x c e p t a t c e r t a i n t i m e s
when fresh vegetables are scarce, and scorbutic complaints re-
-sult as a consequence. Scurvy is not an unfrequent affection
amongst soldiers who have been on duty at the out-posts.
6. Drills and parades supply all the regular exercise which the men get. The usual
amusements of a cavalry regiment are not neglected. The absence
Exercise, amusement, and occu- of a gymnasium, which was noticed in my last report, has not
pation,
received that attention which, in my opinion, it deserves, es
-pecially in connection with the training of recruits.
7. The head-quarters of the regiment have not marched
Marches.
out this year.
8. In connection with this building a dead-house has been built. I regret to have to
state that the site adopted was one which was disapproved of on
Hospital.
account of its conspicuous position in the open thoroughfare. A
cook-house, in my opinion, is more urgently required than a dead-house.
9. The average daily strength present at head-quarters was 340; total number of cases
treated, 421. Actual number of individuals treated, 238, show-
Sickness and mortality. ing a comparatively large proportion of re-admissions, chiefly
B 196-32