44
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
on sick leave. A case of guinea-worm occurred, contracted, no doubt, in Bombay, where
the sepoy had been on detachment duty for two years. One case of hemiplegia occurred on
November 9th. The patient was an old sepoy of 38 years' service. Up to the end of
the year there was no improvement, the whole of his left side being still completely
paralysed. One case of jaundice occurred worthy of remark. The patient was admitted
with bronchitis, complicated with jaundice. He was in a critical state for some days, dis
-tressing hiccough set in, which lasted for 72 hours, with scarcely an intermission, resisting
many remedies. Calomel and opium, tinct. of asafœtida, hypodermic injection of quinine,
effervescing draughts, containing hydrocyanic acid, and blister to the epigastrium were tried.
The last remedy seemed to check the hiccough. On the 24th March coma set in with
hemiplegia of the right side. The right radial ceased to beat from the moment of seizure.
The left continued to beat with fulness until within a short period of death. A post mortem
examination was unfortunately not allowed.
1 0 . A g u e a n d b r o n c h i t i s w e r e t h e p r i n c i p a l c a u s e s o f s i c k n e s s . T h e m o r t a l i t y w h i c h
occurred was due to jaundice and bronchitis; the deceased
were an Hindu and Parwari respectively.
11. The regiment was unaffected by cholera. This disease, however, attacked one of the
women in the lines in the month of July, and proved fatal in
eight hours. Immediate steps were taken to disinfect and
white-wash the lines, with good result, as the disease disappeared. A grass hut to leeward of
camp was erected for the reception and treatment of cholera patients. In the month of April
and May among the women and children 9 cases of small-pox occurred; 7 were cured, 2 proved
fatal. They were treated in a grass hut situated to leeward of camp. On disappearance of
the disease the hut was destroyed by fire.
12. One of the recruits feigned insanity with the view of escaping from service. He
was tried as a malingerer by a native district court-martial, and
sentenced to be imprisoned with hard labour for one year.
Pricipal causes of sickness and
mortality.
Epidemics.
Malingering.
Vaccination.
General health and physique.
Treatment of disease when special.
13. Ninety-three children were successfully vaccinated,
and 78 men successfully re-vaccinated during the year.
14. General health good. Twenty-eight recruits joined,
7 men were invalided, and 15 sent on sick leave during the
year.
15. Four cases of bronchitis, attended with severe fever,
were treated with neutral quinine used hypodermically; the
result was satisfactory.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL T. B. BEATTY, M.D.
The site for the lines being on an elevation, with surface drainage running towards a
nullah, has been judiciously selected; but the huts for the accommodation of the sepoys are
crowded, ill-ventilated, and in so dilapidated a state as to render them wholly unfitted for
human dwelling. They should be removed, and proper lines constructed on the same ground.
The commanding officer complained of the inconvenience the men and their families
were put to in consequence of being compelled to use the open trench latrines, when covered
privies had already been provided. These trenches being dug in a field at a considerable
distance from the lines, the inconvenience of going to and fro during the monsoon will be
considerable.
The general health of the regiment had been fair: 2 deaths had occurred—one from
bronchitis and one from jaundice. Only 7 men had been invalided during the year.
A regimental hospital is much needed; the present house, which is a hired one, being
situated in the bazaar, is, from its locality alone, unsuited for the purpose required. It can
accommodate 12 patients only. There are no rooms for the hospital assistants, who are
obliged to reside at a distance from the hospital.
Vaccination is carefully carried out by the hospital establishment when necessary.