26
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
A few of the cases were of a severe type, and in some instances the secondary symptoms
required a long course of treatment. Six patients who had been in hospital for lengthened
periods and were in a weak and debilitated condition from the effects of this disease were sent
on sick certificate. The majority of these derived little or no advantage from the change, and it
was found necessary to re-admit them on their return. One naique was invalided for syphil
-itic rheumatism, and 5 sepoys who had not served for pension were discharged the service, as
they were completely incapacitated for the performance of their duty, owing to the results of
this disease. It is very difficult to ascertain correctly from sepoys where they contract this
disease; but from inquiry I am of opinion that the majority of cases are contracted in the
native city, and not in the vicinity of the lines.
Dysentery .—Seventeen cases of dysentery were treated during the year. One fatal case
occurred. The patient had been under treatment for this disease in Bombay, and was unable to
march with the regiment. After being detained for some time in the hospital of the 21st Regi
-ment he was sent to Poona, and was re-admitted with dysentery on the 21st December, and
died on the 5th January. In March a patient who had been 46 days in hospital was sent on
sick certificate. The remaining cases were of a mild nature, and required no remarks.
Pneumonia .—Eight cases of pneumonia were admitted, and 1 remained under treatment
from the previous year; of these 2 died and 2 were sent on sick certificate. The first death
occurred in October: the patient, a strong healthy sepoy, was brought to hospital on the 7th,
suffering from fever associated with dyspnœa and pain in the chest. The disease was at first
confined to the left side, but the right lung subsequently became involved, and the patient
rapidly sank and died of exhaustion on the 14th; throughout the course of the disease the tem
-perature ranged from 102° to 104 . 5° The second death was in November. From the commence
-ment of the disease the patient suffered much from dyspnœa; temperature ranged from 102°t
o 105.° One case was 62 days in hospital, and being in a very weak and debilitated condition
was sent on medical certificate in February; another was sent in May.
Small-pox .—During the year 5 sepoys were admitted with small-pox, and also 2 women
and 4 children. The cases were all of the distinct variety, and made a good recovery. The
patients were treated in tents which were pitched for their reception a short distance from the
old lines of the 8th Regiment. The huts in which cases occurred were carefully lime-washed and
disinfected before re-occupation, and the clothes, &c., used by the patients, and those attending
on them, were destroyed by fire before their owners were permitted to re-enter the lines.
Three cases of hepatitis were admitted; 1 of the cases resulted in abscess, which burst
through the lung; the patient was for some time in a dangerous condition, and remained for a
considerable time under treatment, but ultimately made a good recovery. The admissions from
contusions, boils, gonorrhœa, conjunctivitis, scabies, diarrhœa, chicken-pox, and pleuritis
were all of an ordinary character, and require no especial remarks.
4. Two native officers, 28 sepoys, and 1 bhistee were invalided from the following causes,
viz. :—debility 14, chronic bronchitis and debility 5, debility
and impaired vision 2, chronic rheumatism 2, chronic rheu
-matism and hæmorrhoids 1, impaired vision 1, syphilitic rheumatism 1, bronchitis and
asthma 1, chronic skin disease 1, senile gangrene 1, chronic rheumatism and debility 1,
ulcer on outer side of left ankle 1. Nine men who had not served for pension were discharged;
21 cases were sent on medical certificate for periods varying from 8 to 2 months, viz., from
syphilis 6, bronchitis 4, pneumonia 2, brow ague 2, and 1 from each of the following diseases:—
splenitis, ague, dysentery, hemiplegia, jaundice, ulcer, and chronic rheumatism.
5. Five deaths occurred among those in hospital. The deaths from pneumonia and
dysentery have previously been referred to. The death from
apoplexy occurred in June; the patient was a havildar who
had occasionally been under treatment during the preceding six months for giddiness; he
stated that these attacks were generally produced by exposure to the sun. The fatal case of
peritonitis was in an old debilitated sepoy who had passed the regimental invaliding com
-mittee; he was attacked with the disease on the 18th October, and died on the 20th.
Mortality.
6. The hospital is in a good state of repair, and its sanitary condition carefully looked
after. There are two latrines at the hospital, viz., one for the
men, consisting of ten compartments; and another for the women,
of four. In each compartment there is an iron receptacle which is twice daily cleaned out and
the contents removed in a filth cart. Three of the servants' quarters are out of repair; the
remainder are in a good condition. There is no cook-room for the patients, and its want is
much felt, especially during the rains.
Hospital and its surroundings.