37
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
H. M.'s 13th Regiment N. I.
MA'LEGAON.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major T. MILLER; strength 348.3.
1. The wing arrived from Ahmednagar on the 9th of January in course of relief by the
15th Regiment N.I., and has been in camp since that time.
Two small detachments, of 18 men each, have been supplied as
treasury guards at Sinnar and Niphád. These guards are reliev--
ed every month or two.
2. The hot season was rather a severe and long one; it set in about the middle of March,
and continued till the 10th of June, and the thermometer stood
as high as 108° in the hospital verandah in the shade. The
first fall of rain was on the 11th June, and the last on the 27th September, and the total fall
was 16 inches 36 cents, which is a good deal under the average of 21 inches. In October the
weather was rather hot, but in November and December very cool and pleasant, the thermo--
meter falling as low as 44° in the early morning when placed outside in the open air.
3. The lines are the same as when last reported on.
They are kept in very good repair, and in good sanitary condi--
tion.
4. The trench system of latrines is in use, and seems to work satisfactorily. The trenches
are dug in black soil near the lines, and the ground used is put
under crop every season. There are 3 male and 1 female
sweeper to look after and fill in the trenches. The conservancy and sanitary arrangements in
the lines are carried out under the superintendence of the quarter-master. There are 9
sweepers and 1 muccadum employed on the work, and the sweepings are carted off daily.
5. The supply of water is generally abundant and of good quality, from wells in the
lines and dug out of the trap rock, which crops up almost to the
surface. In some of the wells the water is rather hard, contain--
ing a good deal of lime. For washing purposes the water of the river Mosam is used, and is
very convenient, as it runs at a short distance from the lines, and is dammed up for irrigation
purposes.
6. Supplies of grain, meat, and vegetables generally sufficient. For a month or two
back, however, the supply has been scarce, on accountof the small
rainfall in the districts and the failure of the crops. In many
places, supplies have been imported from other places, and the prices are about ¼ higher than
usual at the present time.
Location and movement of
corps.
Climate.
Lines.
Latrines.
The Water-supply.
Food.
Clothing.
7. No change has as yet been made in the clothing of the
sepoy, and a good many suffer from the badly-fitting boots with
which they are supplied.
8 . T h e s e h a v e b e e n t h e o r d i n a r y d u t i e s o f s e p o y s , g u a r d s , o r d e r l y , a n d e s c o r t d u t i e s ,
and may be considered rather heavy, the average number of
consecutive nights in bed being only 3 2/3.
9. There is a regimental gymnasium with a qualified instructor to teach the sepoys,
and a good many of them attend and go through the different
gymnastic exercises which are taught. Some of the men also
take part in games of cricket along with in members of the station gymkhana. Many have
also small gardens in front of their huts in the lines, in which they cultivate flowers.
1 0 . N o a l t e r a t i o n s h a v e b e e n m a d e s i n c e l a s t r e p o r t . A g u a r d - r o o m f o r t h e m e n o f t h e
hospital guard is much required, as they have at present to
sleep in the verandah of the hospital, and which I consider to
be rather objectionable. The buildings are all in good repair, and kept in good sanitary con
- d i t i o n . T h e w a t e r - s u p p l y i s g o o d . D r a i n a g e n a t u r a l , b u t g o o d .
11. The total number of cases admitted during the year was 309, which, with 4 cases re
-maining from 1875, gives a total of 313 treated. The actual
number of persons treated to strength was 282, the percentage
of treated to strength 89.9, the deaths to strength 0.6, the deaths
to treated 0.6, the number of deaths 2, and the average daily number of sick 7.7. The most
prevalent diseases were malarious fevers 83, rheumatic affections 46, contusions and other in
- j u r i e s 5 1 , e y e d i s e a s e s — c h i e f l y c o n j u n c t i v i t i s o f a m i l d c h a r a c t e r — 2 0 , b r o n c h i a l c a t a r r h 1 3 .
The number of men invalided during the year was 14, from following diseases: old and worn-
B 196—10
Duties.
Amusement.
Hospital and out-houses.
Sickness, Mortality, and Invalid
-ing.