khana ; but many of them are employed as carpenters, farriers,
shoe-makers, tailors, &c. A fine armourer's shop has been opened
Exercise and amusements.
in the lines, and also a karkhana, well supplied with all necessary tools.
8.The only marches have been those performed by the two detchemnts previously
Marches.
12
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
H. M.'s 6th Regiment N. I.
ADEN.—In medical charge of Surgeon A. C. DANS, M.B. ; strength, 611.
Movements.
The movement of the regiment from Belgaum was com-
pleted this year, the two last detachments arriving,— one in
January, and the other in March.
2. A detachment of 50 men, under the command of one European and one native officer
Detachments.
is sent to garrison the island of Perim, and is relieved after two
months' residence there. Two companies are also stationed at
the Isthmus Position, and are periodically relieved at the discretion of the officer commanding.
3. The lines, with the exception of the building of an armourer's shop, are in precisely
the same condition as described by Dr. Peters. The houses,
which are well buil, and ventilated, have, however, one great
drawback, that there is no regular footway in front of the doors, so that in many instances
the flooring of the entrance is on a lower level than the roadway, thus rendering them liable
to be flooded if there should be any heavy fall of rain.
4. The conservancy establishment is insufficient to perform the duties satisfactorily,
The conservancy.
two of these guard-houses are situated at about a mile distant on opposite sides of the
lines, a great deal of time is wasted. The latrines are, however, kept in fairly good order ; but
it would be of great benefit if a larger supply of disinfectants were allowed.
5. Water is served out by Government at a fixed rate of two gallons of condensed for drinking
Water and rations.
vegetables, the kinds of which that are served out during the hot weather being almost valueless
as anti-scorbutic agents. During the months of May, June, July, and August, potatoes, alternated
with limes and tamarind, ought to be issued two or three times weekly, in place of twice a month,
as is the present system, and in this way preventing the men having the temptation of selling
the potatoes, which they might do if they received a large quantity at a time. Although the
expense of serving out a ration of potatoes would be greater than the present one of country
vegetables, still most probably the men would be more efficient, and the amount of limejuice
that it is now found necessary to issue would be lessened.
6. Although there are a large number of guards to be furnished, still, as there is very
Duties.
7. Very few of the men appear to practise gymnastics, and there is no regular gym-
The Lines.
The sweepers are called on to clean all the guard-houses occu-
pied by the regiment, whether regimental or otherwise : and as
and three gallons of slightly brackish water for washing purposes.
Rations are good, and of ample quantity, with the exception of the
little drill during the hot weather, the men do not appear to find,
the work too hard.
mentioned as having arrived from Belgaum.
9. The hospital has been considerably improved during the year by the floor having
been asphalted, which renders it much more easily kept clean
otherwise no changes have been made. The only improvement
I can recommend is that a room should be built for ophthalmic purposes, as at present there
is no means of making any of the wards dark without completely excluding the entrance of air.
10. There were 412 admissions during the year. Although this appears a very large a
number, still the diseases composing it are principally of a slight
nature. The percentage is as follows :—
Average daily sick
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . 13 . 2
Treated to strengt
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . 67.7
The number of deaths was 4 in hospital, showing a percentage of " deaths to treated "
0 .96, and of " deat hs t o st rengt h" . 65. One European offi cer al so di ed whi l st on hi s way t o
Europe on sick certificate. Ten men were sent from here to India on sick certificate,
Twenty men were invalided,-2 being native officers, 4 non-commissioned, and 14 privates.
11. Ague has been the principal cause of admissions during the year,137 cases ha,vinc,beer
case
Principal causes of sickness.
more severe, and necessitated the individuals being sent on sick certificate. There was only
The hospital.
Sickness, mortality, and invalid-
lug.
treated. Most of these, however, were mild cases of the quotidian
type, and yielded readily to treatment. Some, however, were