Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
115
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Mortality according to race.
12. Hindus . . .
5
Mussulmans . . .
2
13. The rains commenced somewhat unusually late on the 7th July 1876. Total
rainfall 46 inches and 44 cents. The effect was to increase
the number of admissions from ague and bowel complaints.
Influence of rainfall.
14. No epidemic disease came under observation.
15. Vaccination was efficiently carried out by 2nd Class
Hospital Assistants Reuben Samson and Heera Swamee; there
were 17 operations performed.
16. The physique of the men of this regiment is not what it might be. A certain
proportion—roughly estimating, from those that come daily
under my observation, at about 30 per cent. strictly speaking,
under circumstances of field service as fighting-men—should not
be allowed to continue in the ranks. Their general physique, configuration of the chest,
muscular development, &c., &c., which when taken into consideration with the quality and
quantity of food they take are not such as to render them thoroughly efficient soldiers.
This statement, I beg to state, is well supported by their physical powers of enduring fatigue
as demonstrated in the march from Neemuch to Delhi, and at the latter place on parades,
reviews, and guards of honour. On the day on which all the troops were drawn up along
the streets in honour of the arrival of the Viceroy, several men had fallen out, and one was
conveyed to camp insensible and collapsed, but I am glad to say was brought round: and
again partly on account of being insufficiently clad, they readily contract catarrhal affections,
particularly pulmonary, to which they soon succumb. From the same causes above described
they have very little power of resisting or overcoming disease. During the year, 30
recruits joined the ranks; of this number 4 belonged to the regiment. The class of recruits
that apply for enlistment is, indeed, inferior. The great majority of them are small in
height as well as in chest measurement and muscular development; they are ill-nourished
and cachectic in appearance.
17. I have nothing novel to offer here. In the treatment of ague the salt of cincho
-nidine proved (in ordinary cases) efficacious as a febrifuge. In
genuine tropical dysentery large doses of ipecacuanha are
resorted to with advantage and tolerance. I mention this
simply because I still observe the drug occasionally prescribed in useless and wasteful small
doses, ipecacuanha being as much a specific for dysentery as quinine is for ague.
18. I have had the medical pupil at my house twice a week, and have instructed him
by making him write and study from dictation the preparations,
doses, and properties of drugs, the symptoms and treatment of
ordinary diseases, as well as of common poisoning, besides
clinical instructions in the hospital wards.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
I had no opportunity of inspecting this charge, as the regiment had left for Delhi some
time before my arrival. Health, however, was fairly average, the hospital returns comparing
very favourably with those of previous year, particularly as showing a large reduction in
sickness, and notably in admissions from ague.
(In this report no mention of the numbers of the treated, died, &c., of the portion of the
regiment that was at Neemuch, for November and December last, when the head-quarters had
gone to Delhi, is made.)
Squadron 3rd Queen's Own Light Cavalry.
NUSSEERABAD.—In medical charge of Surgeon J. P. GREANY, M. D. ; strength, 106.4.
1. No relief took place during the past year between the squadrons at this station
and Neemuch. On the 21st of November the squadron marched
to Delhi to be present at the Imperial Assemblage.
General health and physique of
the men.
Treatment of disease when
special.
Instructions to Native medical
pupils.
Location and movements of
corps.
2 Water-supply is plentiful from wells in and about the lines, but the quality is any--
thing but good, being very brackish, and contains, besides, an
abundance of solids, organic matters in large proportion render--
ing it unfit for drinking purposes; in a short time the station will be provided with good
potable water, as a scheme is proposed for bringing water from a neighbouring village
(Danta) about five miles distant.
Water-supply.