30
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Tabular Statement of Fever Cases treated with Cinchonidine Sulphate in the Hospital of
Bombay Sappers and Miners for the year from 1st January to 31 st December 1876.
Total
num-
ber of
cases.
Average
number
of at-
tacks in
each
case.
Average number
of of hour s of e a c h
attack.
T o t a l a m o u n t
of
cinchoni
dine
used.
Average
amount
in each
case .
Average
amount
given by
mouth.
Average
amount
h y p o d e r m i c a l l y .
Remarks.
Grs.
Total number of cases
treated ...
...
. . . 68
2.4
6.7
3, 470
51.0
...
. . .
This shows that the
average given by the
mouth is much greater
(the average number of
attacks and duration of
each attack being about
the same) than what is
given hypodermically,
being 70.6 to 9.3 or about
9 to 1.
The number of re-ad-
missions were six times
greater in cases treated
by the mouth (12) than
in those treated hypo
dermically (2) ; but of
this there has hardly
been time enough yet to
judge sufficiently.
Number treated by mouth 41
...
. . .
3,148
...
76.7
...
Do.hypoder-
mically ...
...
... 27
...
. . .
322
...
...
11.9
Number of 1st admissions. 54
2.5
6.9
3,163
58.5
...
...
Number treated by mouth. 36
...
...
2,913
...
80.9
...
Do.
hypoder-
mically ...
...
... 18
...
. . .
250
...
...
13.8
Number of 2nd admissions 13
2.3
6.1
340
26.1
...
...
Number treated by mouth.
5
...
...
271
...
54.2
...
Do.
hypoder-
mically ... ...
... 8
...
...
69
...
...
8.6
Number of 3rd admissions
1
1
4
3
3
...
...
Number treated by mouth ...
...
...
. . .
...
. . .
...
Do.
hypoder-
mically ... ...
...
1
. . .
. . .
3
...
. . .
3
On the whole, my opinion of the use of the drug is that in moderately severe cases of
fever it is fairly useful ; but that it is powerless in cases of any severity. There were few
cases during the period under notice to test this ; but in 2 cases I had to stop the cinchoni-
dine, which was doing no good, and to resort to quinine, which in a few doses, administered.
subcutaneously, checked the recurrence of the attacks.
21. The number of cases of syphilis was unusually large and in almost every case the
Syphilis.
man had concealed the disease for a considerable time before
applying for admission, and only came to hospital when he
c o u l d n o l o n g e r s t a n d , t h u s , o f c o u r s e , m a k i n g h i s s y m p t o m s v e r y m u c h w o r s e , a n d p r o l o n g i n g
his stay in hospital considerably. To endeavour tocheck this, all the cases were reported to
the regimental authorities. When this disease seems likely to become constitutional, I gene-
rally now prescribe mercury in the shape of the perchloride, 1/20 of a grain, combined with
sulphate of iron, grains 2 or 3, and a slight tenderness of gums is kept up till all symptoms
disappear, iodide of potassium being given at the same time if secondary symptoms appear.
22. Two cases of hemp poisoning were kept for a considerable time in hospital ; they
Poisons.
were treated with tonics and sedatives, good food and gentle
treatment, but showed scarcely any sign of improvement, and
so were brought before a committee and sent to the Colaba Asylum. The form of derange-
ment seems to be a chronic melancholy, without any violence as a rule, nor any suicidal or
homicidal tendency.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL T. B. BEATTY, M.D.
The general health of the corps was good during the past year.
Out of a strength of 360.3, the daily average sick was 7.3, and the total treated 180. Only
3 deaths occurred.
The hospital is remarkably well situated, facing north-east, with clear open spaces on each
side. The great objection to the building is its earthen floor, the washing of which with clay
had, for the reasons specified by the medical officers in charge of the other Native Infantry
regiments in Poona, to be discontinued. A flagged floor should be substituted.