14
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
16. The general health of the men, notwithstanding the trying climate of Aden, may
be said to be very fair; the largest number of admissions are
amongst the older men of 20 and 25 years' service. The
largest number of men are recruits of 2 or 3 years' service, who have not as yet finished grow
- i n g , a n d f i l l e d o u t ; b u t i n a f e w y e a r s , i f s c u r v y d o e s n o t w e a k e n t h e m h e r e , t h e r e w i l l b e a
very fine set of men in the regiment.
17. Cinchonidine was tried in the treatment of intermittent fever, but it was found to
be of very little use, unless given in very large doses, when it
caused bad symptoms of cinchonism. Hypodermic injection of
quinine has proved very successful; and although it has been used in many cases, in not one
single instance was there any sloughing of integument, or unpleasant result, except in one or
two cases where a small hard swelling formed at point of operations, but which rapidly sub
-sided when poulticed. All cases of dysentery were treated with ipecacuanha. A small quan
- t i t y o f W a r b u r g ' s t i n c t u r e w a s o b t a i n e d t o w a r d s t h e e n d o f t h e y e a r , a n d w a s i m m e d i a t e l y
successful in stopping cases of intermittent fever in which it was exhibited.
18. On considering the facts already stated it will be seen that, although there appear
to be a large number of admissions into hospital, still, as so
many of them; are only trivial affections, it cannot be said that
the regiment has suffered much from its first year's residence in Aden; and I believe that if
some change was made in pension rules, by which men were allowed to retire after having
completed a certain number of years on an ascending scale of retiring pension, that the
admissions to hospital would be lessened at least one-third.
19. There was only one native pupil attached to the hospital during the year, who was
instructed in the practical work in the wards; but owing to the fact that I was performing the
civil duties as well as my own for a great part of my time, I was unable to give him much
assistance in his reading.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL W. G. HUNTER, M.D.
Inspected the hospital and lines of H. M.'s 6th Regiment Native Infantry on 26th
December 1876, Surgeon Dane, M.B., Officiating Medical Officer. The hospital is a large
well-constructed building, with asphalte floors; ventilation good, and accommodation very
ample. The quarters in the lines are well built and ventilated; the absence of a plinth is
objectionable, as the quarters are liable to be flooded in the event of heavy rain. The latrines
are to windward,—a defect which ought never to have been permitted. The conservancy
was good.
The last detachment of the regiment arrived in March from Belgaon, where the corps bad
previously been stationed. A detachment of 50 men, under an European officer, and in medical
charge of an assistant apothecary, is stationed at Perim, and is relieved every two months. As
the detachment had very recently been visited by the medical officer, I did not think it necessary
to inspect it personally. The health of the regiment was good, the daily average sick being
about 13; most of the cases in hospital were of a trifling character. A few cases of scurvy
had been observed, which might be obviated by the daily issue of tamarinds with the diet.
Its spread had been checked by the issue of lime-juice in all suspected cases in the lines.
The conservancy of the cantonment was not so good as it might be. The poorer classes resort
to the hill-sider for natural purposes, effluvium from decomposing excreta at times being
painfully manifest.
(In this report no mention of the numbers of treated, castes &c., of the detachment
stationed at Belgaon for two months is made).
Out-post Perim.
In medical charge of Assistant Apothecary GILLESPIE; strength 50.
A detachment of 50 men and one European officer are located here for two months—reliefs
being furnished at the termination of that period by the Native Infantry stationed at Aden.
2. The barracks are situated in the fort, which have since last report undergone thorough
repair, and substantial roofing put on. Ventilation is free all
around, but accommodation is insufficient. One large masonry
tank, capable of holding 20,000 gallons, exists within the fort, but is never used; probably
reserved for cases of emergency. Suitable cook-houses for the lower castes of the troops are
very much needed : the present huts are formed by circular piles of loose stones and covered
by old matting, which again are kept from being blown away by the wind with large stone
weights.
General health and physique.
Special treatment of disease.
Resumé.
Barracks.