XV
other classes, European. and Native alike. The 16th Bengal Cavalry continue
to have a school of arms, and the growth of the recruits and their muscular
development following exercise are registered The 34th Native Infantry at
Cachar do the same. The Central India Horse, who have occupied their stations
undisturbed through the year have, as usual, shared largely in the annual fête
of tiger-slaying ; and regiments of Bengal Cavalry, with leisure to do so, practise
feats of horsemanship which advantage them so much in real war ; but gardening
is not a success, except on a small scale in Assam.
35. In my report for the year 1877 I concluded the remarks on Native
Army hospitals by the welcome statement that "within late years many salu
-tary changes have taken place in hospital construction and arrangement which
must greatly enhance the comfort of the sick, and contribute materially to
their recovery." And it is satisfactory to observe that through all the regi
-mental reports of 1878 which refer to these buildings there are few and
unimportant objections. It is desirable that most of them should have .a par
-tially glazed door for comfort in the cold season ; the fire-places are in many
instances of the rudest construction, often filling the ward with smoke, to the
distress of patients who are ill from respiratory diseases ; and the incomplete
-ness of out-buildings is still reported in some stations : but these details are
not of primary importance and might easily be remedied by local energy.
I am more concerned with the condition of hospitals in the field. It has
been strongly urged that the ordinary 'pâl' should be discontinued for
hospital use in hill warfare except when a field or depôt hospital is estab
-lished and likely to remain at one post. For regiments the substitution of the
lascar ' pâl' is advocated as being lighter, easily carried, struck and pitched ;
and especially as obviating that inconvenience of service in a cold climate, the
"half" pâl when divided for detachments. Some of the regiments appear
to have had this particular equipment and to have been satisfied. The 3rd
Goorkhas took six to Kandahar ; in each twelve men might find room, but usually
only eight. In addition to straw the sick appear to have been allowed to use
as beddi ng t he ' j hul es ' or war m cover s of dead camel s . Ever ywher e on s er vi ce,
where a halt admits of it, the tents are banked about with stones and mud, the
earth inside trenched to allow the recumbent figure more ease, a bolster of
withes runs from end to end as a pillow support, and a fire-place with an
underground chimney built to the end. Many medical officers write of the hos
-pital blankets which were given by Government as having proved most grateful
and "saved many lives."
36. Many other details of hospital equipment have received extended
notice ; but it is necessary to abridge them in recapitulation. The "field com
- p a n i o n s " h a v e o b t a i n e d u n q u a l i f i e d p r a i s e . I t i s n o t e a s y t o d e v i s e s u c h
a medicine chest as can accommodate itself to all descriptions of carriage
and to travel over every road to be found in Afghanistan, but the mule
trunks have answered their purpose fairly well. It is doubtful if they are
often so lightly loaded as to be a mule's burden ; but they are fitted with
every medical and surgical appliance usually called for in the field ; and there
can be no doubt that in durability and ready access to contents they are very
serviceable.
37. Surgeon J. Lewtas, M.B., who has succeeded the late lamented Sur
- g e o n A . H . K e l l y , a s m e d i c a l o f f i c e r o f t h e G u i d e C o r p s , c o n t r i v e s t o c a r r y h i s
entire hospital on mules alone, the tents keeping up with the column in rear
of the sick carriage. Hence, on arrival at a camping ground the sick speedily
obtain shelter. Such a practice, if generally introduced, would save the sick
from the discomfort and risk of being turned out of bed in the bitter early
mornings when the camp is struck for two hours before starting, and similarly
from exposure in all weathers, while waiting for the camels and tents to arrive
at the end of the march.
38. Of the various descriptions of carriage which have been employed in
the transport of sick and wounded, all have been subjected to severe practical
trials ; and it seems that all have had serious complaints against their efficiency.
The "bearers" have too often been found more fit to be carried than to carry
the sick ; too debilitated to bear up against the hard work and exposure which
befell them. The kahars furnished by the Punjab, and especially from Seal
- k o t e , w e r e o f b e t t e r s t a m i n a a n d m o r e u s e f u l ; t h e s a m e c l a s s o f n a t i v e s i n t h e
North-Western Provinces has had their occupation taken away by improved