103
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
8 . T h e d u t i e s a t M e h i d p o r e w e r e m o d e r a t e a n d n o t o t h e r w i s e t h a n b e n e f i c i a l . T h o s e
at Neemuch were rather more than usual and more trying,
owing to the absence of the other wing and another regiment
from the station. The average number of nights in bed while
at Mehidpore was 4½. The average at Neemuch was 2½. The average for the whole 41/6.
9 . T h e a m u s e m e n t s h a v e b e e n f e w d u r i n g t h e y e a r , t h e m e n a p p a r e n t l y b e i n g s o
weakened from effects of the climate of Mehidpore as to feel
little inclination for exercise.
The usual trades of shoe-making, tailoring, lithographing, bookbinding, carpentery,
&c., have been carried out, and as usual those having trades being excused guard duties but
not the usual parades.
10. The only movements which took place during the year were the relief of the head
-
quarters wing by companies from Agar. The head-quarters
marched from Mehidpore on the 28th of October, and reached
Neemuch on the morning of the 7th November.
11. At Mehidpore these buildings remain as given in former report; another building,
accommodating 8 patients, in a centre ward, with 4 small rooms
for one patient each, was added during the year, and a conta
-gious disease ward for 3 patients, with latrine complete, was being erected; a bath-room
and dead-house are still required at Neemuch. The hospital accommodation generally is
good, as used by the 24th N. I., and no change has been made since last report, with the
exception of a modification of the floor-ventilators (originally planned for Europeans) being
provided with boarded doors to regulate the draught, which for native troops was found at
times, and especially in the cold weather, excessive.
The want of air, light, and adequate ventilation, are much felt in the hospitals at
Mehidpore, as has already been suggested. The ventilation of
the hospital, at this station, is in every respect satisfactory,
particularly since the floor-ventilators, previously alluded to, have been introduced since
the arrival of the regiment.
At Mehidpore overcrowding, due to want of space, has been frequently unavoidable
both during and after the rains, owing to an increase of sick,
many of the patients having been accommodated in the veran
-dahs, which were fitted with chicks and mat-frames for the occasion. The additional new
ward has, to some extent, relieved the overcrowding; but the accommodation is still insuffi
-cient, especially on occasions of much sickness, when the men in excess had sometimes to
be treated both in their lines and verandahs of the hospital. At Neemuch no overcrowding
whatever has occurred, for the accommodation was adequate, as far as it refers to the
strength present at head-quarters; probably when the regiment is all together, the other
block adjoining may be required. It is now used by the regiment as a school-room, tai
-lors' and band-room.
The hospital accommodation has been so far satisfactory with the exception of defects
at Mehidpore, already mentioned. Since arrival here a consi
-
derable improvement has been effected, in the ventilation of
the wards, by the addition of boarded doors fixed to the entrance outlets of the lateral floor
- v e n t i l a t o r s , w h i c h a r e n o w s o a d j u s t e d t h a t , b y c l o s i n g o r o p e n i n g , t h e d r a u g h t i s m o d e r a t e d
or accelerated through the wards almost at pleasure. During the cold weather these venti
- l a t o r s h a v e b e e n f o u n d b y m e t o o u n c o m f o r t a b l e a n d o v e r d r a u g h t y f o r n a t i v e t r o o p s , a n d
being now somewhat modified are kept, as a rule, constantly closed, especially at night and
during the early morning. A contagious disease ward and a dead-house are much requir
- e d h e r e a n d h a v e b e e n r e c o m m e n d e d . Q u a r t e r s c o m p l e t e f o r t h e 1 s t a n d 2 n d c l a s s h o s p i t a l
assistants and medical pupils; that for the former is deficient chiefly in a bath-room, but
for the latter there seems no accommodation whatever, as these boys are obliged to live in
the lines, far away and inconveniently removed from their duties.
With the exception, at Mehidpore, of the latrine trenches, which were too close, having
been removed to a more reasonable distance from the lines,
no change has taken place at either station, and under this
head all remains in statu quo.
Duties and their effect upon
health.
Exercise, amusements, and occu
-pations.
Marches.
Hospital and its surroundings.
Ventilation.
Overcrowding.
Accommodation and defects.
Conservancy.
The hospital water-supply remains the same as given in last year's report for both
stations, respectively; that at Mehidpore is very defective
both as to quantity and quality. This was already unfa
- v o u r a b l y r e p o r t e d u p o n b y t h e C h e m i c a l A n a l y s e r t o G o v e r n m e n t , a n d i n t h e h o t w e a t h e r
the dipping-wells do not contain more than a foot or two of water, and that either brackish
Hospital water-supply.