Epidemics.
Vaccination.
1 8
A S K E T C H O F T H E M E D I C A L H I S T O R Y O F T H E N A T I V E A R M Y O F B O M B A Y .
matter in the shape of new accessions of horse-dung, urine, and silt; these diluted by rain
foment and form putrescent organic mire, becoming in course of time a source of noxious
miasms. This subject was referred to at considerable length in special reports to the local
authorities in 1875, and the suggestions then made may be advantageously repeated in order
to bring more directly to the attention of the Surgeon-General the necessity which exists for
a good system of paving and perfect surface drainage in order to place our lines in a proper
sanitary condition. With the view of remedying these evils, I would beg to suggest that
the present gutters in rear of the lines should be paved with flag-stones, as was done in
certain places in the Ghorpuri Barracks last year, with great advantage to cleanliness.
Glazed tiles would answer the purpose still better. Larger channels should be provided in
front and rear of lines for the conveyance of the contents of the smaller gutters to points
below the Syce Lines in the line of fall. These should be paved in the same manner as the
smaller gutters between the line of huts, and conducted to the nullahs by means of large open
saucer drains.
5. The Commanding Officer has directed a constant supervision to securing good sanitary
condition of lines and huts at all seasons. The fact has also
been recognised that the modifications of infectious deseases may
sometimes elude the most vigilant sanitary inspection, and hence the Colonel has considered
it desirable that the native officers should consider it part of their duty to give prompt in
-formation about any suspicious case of sickness which may come under their observation. The
regimental latrines, though constructed after a standard plan, present some well-grounded
sanitary defects. Practically, however, they have answered the purpose fairly well. The
collection of horse-dung, litter, and lime rubbish has been generally well attended to; an im
-provement has been noticed during the year in the disposal of the rubbish after collection
Complaint of its non-removal was made by the Sanitary Commissioner at his inspection
Since then people have been found willing to remove it for manure.
6. The water-supply is directly from the Kharakwasla water works, but the well water
is largely preferred by many of the men for domestic purposes.
The unsatisfactory condition of the stand pipes is now receiving
attention, and such action was much needed, as the waste was excessive, and the mire caused
thereby very disagreeable. The Kharakwasla wáter is eminently a pure and wholesome
water, and in all respects well suited for domestic purposes.
7 . U p t o t h e p r e s e n t t i m e t h e r e h a s b e e n n o d i f f i c u l t y i n o b t a i n i n g a s u f f i c i e n c y o f
various kinds of food in the Poona bazaar, but the prices have
risen owing to the famine in surrounding districts.
8. The building and other property at the hospital are in a good condition; very few
repairs have been required during the year. The drainage has
been very satisfactory since the improvements made in the
previous year, and the annoyances which were formerly complained of have ceased to exist.
The hospital receives an ample supply of water from the main supply pipe. The dry-earth
system has been well maintained in hospital latrines.
9. The year which has just closed has been remarkably exempt from the prevalence of
any grave form of disease since the arrival of the regiment in
Poona; the rate of admissions for zymotic disease has never
been so small as in the past year. With an average strength
of 291 there have been 282 admissions, which is rather more favourable than last year, when
the same percentage was 310. The great bulk of the admissions have been from malarial
fever 116; dysentery caused 14 admissions, ophthalmia 3, syphilis 10, and 73 were from
various affections of the surface, wounds, contusions, inflammation and ulcerations, the imme
-diate cause of all of which is connected with the work of the sowar, and the accidents to which
his work subjects him. Boils and indolent sores are very prevalent amongst the poorly
-fed men.
10. There have been 3 deaths during the year: 1 from abscess of liver, 1 from
tetanus, and the third from pneumonia. The particulars of
these cases were given in the monthly reports. Twelve men were
pensioned during the year,—8 for debility and old age, 1 for rheumatism, 1 for chronic bron
-chitis, 1 for prolapsus ani, and 1 for fracture of the right forearm of long standing. One
short-service man was discharged with a gratuity.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Food.
Hospital and its surroundings.
Sickness and mortality and
invaliding.
Mortality and in validing.
11. There has been no epidemic during the year, and no
case of small-pox.
12. Vaccination has been well kept up amongst the men
and. their families.