NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
43
No. 10.
Statement showing the Sanctioned Establishment of the Lunatic Asylums in the Bombay
Presidency on the 31st December 1877.
Establishment.
Surgeon and Superintendent ..
Apothecary .. .. .. ..
1st Class Hospital Assistant ..
2nd do.
do. .. ..
Head Overseer
..
..
..
2nd do. .. .. .. ..
Steward
..
..
..
..
Matron
..
..
..
..
Compounder .. .. ..
Havildar
..
..
..
..
Male Warder, 1st Class .. ..
Do.
2nd Class .. ..
Do.
3rd Class ..
Female Warder, 1st Class .. ..
Do.
2nd Class .. ..
Master Cook ..
..
..
..
Ordinary Cook .. .. .. ..
Washerman .. .. .. ..
Bhistie
..
..
..
..
Barber
..
..
..
..
Sweeper
..
..
..
..
Gardener .. .. .. ..
Carpenter
..
..
..
..
Goorga
..
..
..
..
Mason
..
..
..
..
..
Tailor
..
..
..
..
..
Watchman .. .. .. ..
Storeboy .. .. .. ..
Extra servants entertained in
consequence of the number of
patients being in excess of the
Regulation No. 175 (vide Subsi-
diary Rules, page 3, para. 21)—
Male Warder
..
..
..
Female Warder
.. .. ..
Sweeper
..
..
..
..
1877.. ..
Daily average strength of male
insanes
..
..
..
..
Do.
of female insanes ..
Propor-
tion of
Jamedars to males .. ..
Jamedarins to females ..
Male keepers to males ..
Female keepers to females ..
Colaba.
Num-
ber.
1
1
..
..
1
1
1
1
1
2
12
16
..
5
..
1
3
2
2
3
7
..
1
..
1
1
2
1
6
1
3
..
Monthly
Wages.
Rs.
650
230
a.
0
0
p.
0
0
....
....
70
60
84
45
18
28
144
160
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
....
60 0 0
....
14
30
30
20
27
87
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
....
18 0 0
....
15
10
32
12
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
60
10
37
1,952
232.2
55.8
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
288.0
2 to 232
....
1 to 7
1 to 9
Poona.
Num-
ber.
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
9
..
1
1
..
1
..
..
1
2
1
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
Monthly
Wages.
Rs.
150
a.
0
p.
0
...
60 0 0
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
15
63
0
0
0
0
....
8
7
0
0
0
0
....
8 0 0
....
....
5
16
9
0 0
0
0
0
0
....
....
....
....
8 0 0
....
....
....
....
349
49.5
17.3
0 0
66.8
1 to 49.5
....
1 to 6.2
1 to 8.6
Dharwar.
Num-
ber.
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
2
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Monthly
Wages.
Rs.
150
a.
0
p.
0
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
30 0 0
....
....
10 0 0
....
....
....
....
....
6 0 0
....
7 0 0
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
203
15.5
5.5
0 0
21.0
....
....
1 to 8
1 to 6
Ahmedabad.
Num-
ber.
1
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
8
..
1
1
..
2
1
..
1
2
1
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
Monthly
Wages.
Rs.
250
a.
0
p.
0
....
....
40 0 0
....
....
....
....
....
....
15
64
0
0
0
0
....
10
8
0
0
0
0
....
16
9
0
0
0
0
....
5
14
9
0
0
0
0
0
0
....
....
....
....
6 0 0
....
....
....
446
90.4
17.7
0 0
108.1
1 to 90.4
1 to 17.7
1 to 11.3
1 to 17.7
Sir C. Jehangier's.
Num-
ber.
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
2
10
2
..
..
2
1
..
1
2
1
..
1
..
1
2
..
..
..
..
..
Monthly
Wages.
Rs.
250
a.
0
p.
0
....
65
0 0
....
....
....
....
....
....
....
10
17
70
20
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
....
....
14
8
0
0
0
0
....
5
10
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
....
8 0 0
....
7
14
0
0
0
0
....
....
....
....
505
98
17
0 0
115
1 to 98
....
1 to 5
1 to 8
44
No. 11.
Showing Receipts and Expenditure on account of Manufacture in the Lunatic Asylums in the Bombay
Presidency during the Year 1877.
1
Mean Population.
M.
231.0
49.5
15.5
90.4
89.0
F.
56.0
17.3
5.5
17.7
16.0
Total.
287.0
66.8
21.0
108.1
105.0
2
Average number
employed.
M.
94.2
38.0
6.3
70.0
58.0
F.
20.2
15.0
..
12.0
13.0
Total.
114.4
53.0
6.3
82.0
71.0
3
4
5
6
7
CREDIT.
Cash
received
during the
year for
articles
sold.
Rs. a. p.
865 5 11
483 13 0
67 8 6
905 14 0
290 15 6
Value of
Manufac-
tured Goods
made over
to Asylum
for Asylum
purposes.
Rs. a. p.
744 0 6
....
....
797 2 2
....
Value of
Raw Ma-
terials in
Store.
Rs. a. p.
81 0 0
....
....
....
....
Value of
Plant and
Machin-
ery in
Store.
Rs. a. p.
Total
Credit.
Rs. a. p.
COLABA.
120 0 0 1,810 5 5
POONA.
75 0 0 558 13 0
DHARWAR.
....
67 8 6
AHMEDABAD.
....
1,703 0 2
SIR C. JEHAN-
GIER'S.
....
290 15 6
8
9
10 11 12
DEBITS.
Value of
Manufac-
tured
Goods in
Store on
1st Janu-
ary 1878.
Rs.
100
a.
0
p.
0
....
....
....
....
Value of
Raw Mate-
rials in
Store on
1st Janu-
ary 1878.
Rs.
81
a.
0
p.
0
....
....
....
....
Value of
Plant and
Machinery
in Store on
1st Janu-
ary 1878.
Rs. a. p.
20 0 0
75 0 0
....
797 2 2
....
Raw Ma-
terials
purchased
and all
other
charges.
Rs. a. p.
664 5 3
28 3 0
....
268 13 0
....
Total
Debits.
Rs. a. p.
865 5 3
103 3 0
....
1,065 15 2
....
13
Excess of
Credit or
Profit.
Rs. a. p.
945 1 2
455 10 0
67 8 6
637 1 0
290 15 6
14
Excess
of Debits
or
Loss.
Rs. a. p.
....
....
....
....
....
15
Amount
of Out-
standing
Bills due
to
Asylum.
Rs. a. p.
....
2 12 0
....
....
....
STATEMENT No. 12.
48
No.
STATEMENT showing the Number of Criminal Lunatics under care and
CASTE.
COLABA.
Christians .. ..
Hindus .. ..
Mahomedans ..
Parsis .. ..
Other Castes
..
Total ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
POONA.
Hindus .. ..
Total ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
AHMEDABAD.
Hindus
Mahomedans ..
Total ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
SIR C. JEHANGIER'S.
Hindus
..
..
Mahomedans ..
Total ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
1876 ..
1877 ..
Average daily number of crimi-
nal lunatics.
Males.
0.9
1.4
30.1
31.5
9.3
11.8
1.1
1.0
3.5
2.1
44.9
47.8
..
..
..
..
13.0
13.7
5.6
5.6
18.6
19.3
1.0
..
14.0
15.0
15.0
15.0
Females.
..
..
4.0
2.2
..
..
..
..
..
..
4.0
2.2
..
0.2
..
0.2
1.0
1.5
..
..
1.0
1.5
..
..
..
..
..
..
Average daily number employ-
ed.
Males.
0.6
0.7
20.4
15.0
5.9
8.0
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.0
28.9
25.7
..
..
..
..
11.0
11.5
4.0
3.9
15.0
15.4
1.0
..
14.0
14.0
15.0
14.0
Females.
..
..
3.4
2.0
..
..
..
..
..
..
3.4
2.0
..
..
..
..
1.0
1.4
..
..
1.0
1.4
..
..
..
..
..
..
Remained on 1st January 1877.
Males.
1
1
33
30
10
11
2
1
3
3
49
46
..
..
..
..
13
13
6
6
19
19
2
..
18
15
20
15
Females.
..
..
3
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
3
..
..
..
..
1
1
..
..
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Admitted.
Males.
2
2
3
6
3
4
..
..
1
..
9
12
..
..
..
..
..
2
1
..
1
2
1
..
2
6
3
6
Females.
..
..
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
..
..
1
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Re-admitted.
Males.
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Total.
Males.
3
3
37
36
13
15
2
1
4
3
59
58
..
..
..
..
13
15
7
6
20
21
3
..
20
21
23
21
Females.
..
..
6
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
6
3
..
1
..
1
1
2
..
..
1
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
Discharged cured.
Males.
1
..
5
2
1
1
..
..
..
..
7
3
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
..
3
5
6
5
Females.
..
..
3
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
1
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Improved and removed by
friends.
Males.
..
..
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Not improved and removed by
friends.
Males.
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Escaped.
Males.
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Remanded to jail.
Males.
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
1
..
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
N. B. —In the Dharwar Asylum no criminal lunatics
49
13.
Treatment at the Lunatic Asylums in the Bombay Presidency during the Year 1877.
Ceased to be criminal lunatics
after expiration of term of
imprisonment.
Males.
..
..
..
..
..
1
1
..
..
1
1
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
Died.
Males.
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
1
..
..
2
..
2
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
...
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Remaining.
Males.
1
2
30
33
11
12
1
1
3
1
46
49
..
..
..
..
13
14
6
5
19
19
..
..
15
16
15
16
Females.
..
..
3
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
2
..
..
..
..
1
1
..
..
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
NATURE OF CRIME.
Murder.
Males.
..
1
20
22
5
6
1
1
..
..
26
30
..
..
..
..
5
6
3
3
8
9
..
..
8
9
8
9
Females.
..
..
3
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
3
2
..
1
..
1
1
1
..
..
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Voluntarily
causing
grievous hurt.
Males.
1
..
5
2
3
4
..
..
2
1
11
7
..
..
..
..
3
3
..
..
3
3
..
..
1
4
1
4
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Mischief and assault.
Males.
2
1
2
4
..
..
..
..
..
..
4
5
..
..
..
..
1
1
1
1
2
2
..
..
1
..
1
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
House-breaking.
Males.
..
..
2
2
2
..
..
..
..
..
4
2
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Piracy and assault.
Males.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
1
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Committing mischief by
fire.
Males.
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Theft.
Males.
..
..
5
5
..
5
1
..
..
..
9
10
..
..
..
..
2
3
1
1
3
4
3
..
3
4
6
4
Females.
..
..
2
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
2
1
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
Culpable homicide not
amounting to mur-
der.
Males.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
1
1
1
..
..
..
..
1
1
..
..
1
1
..
..
6
1
6
1
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Rape.
Males.
..
..
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Attempt to commit sui-
cide.
Males.
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
2
1
2
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
Miscellaneous.
Males.
..
1
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
1
..
..
..
..
1
1
2
..
3
1
..
..
..
1
..
1
Females.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
were admitted during the year 1877 nor in 1876.
B 672—7
51
Annual Reports.
No. 1296.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
Bombay Castle, 20th April 1878.
Letter from the Surgeon General, Indian Medical Department, No. S.B.-131,
dated 9th April 1878—Submitting the annual administration and pro-
gress report on the insane asylums in this Presidency for the year 1877.
RESOLUTION.—Government observe that the Surgeon Gene-
ral, Indian Medical Department, has published at full length the
reports of the various Superintendents of the different asylums
throughout the Presidency, though Government Resolution
No. 885, dated 16th March 1878, directs that such reports shall
not be reproduced in extenso, but shall be condensed as much as
possible. The probable cause is the fact of the general report
having been sent to press before the issue of the above Resolution ;
but if this is so, Dr. Hunter should have explained it in his for-
warding letter which is dated 9th April. The necessity of con-
densing the Superintendents' reports is evident on reading them,
as some contain matter which is out of place in a general re-
port, e.g., paragraphs 1 and 3, the latter part of paragragh 15, and
paragraph 17 of the Colaba report, and the latter part of para-
graph 3 and paragraphs 4 and 5 of the Poona report, while the con¬
cluding portion of paragraph 37 of the Ahmedabad report is sim-
ply a repetition of information given in paragraph 4 thereof. Some
of the subjects noted above should have been submitted for orders
in separate reports, while others are not of sufficient interest to
be printed in detail.
2. From Dr. Hunter's report, it appears that the total of
inmates of the asylums in 1877 was 869 as compared with 846 in
1876. It comprised 717 males and 152 females, and the total
remaining on 1st January 1878 was 573. There were discharged
205 males and 35 females, of whom 81 males and 18 females were
cured, 117 males and 16 females were handed over to the care of
relations or friends. The number of deaths amongst the lunatics
confined in the different asylums rose from 36 to 56, the increase
being most marked in Poona, Dharwar and Ahmedabad.
3. The number of criminal lunatics fell from 109 to 106, of
whom at the end of the year there were 84 males and 3 females
still in the asylums. Government are unable in the present con¬
52
dition of the finances to make separate provision for this class of
lunatics. As regards the criminal lunatics alluded to in paragraph
23 as having completely recovered and being still detained in the
Colaba Asylum, the question has repeatedly come before Govern-
ment in the Judicial Department, where it has been ruled that
these persons cannot with due regard to public safety be released.
4. From statements 3 and 4 are gathered the religion, sexes,
and previous occupations of the patients. Christians numbered
108, of whom 93 were Europeans—the majority being soldiers
sent to Colaba from all parts of India. There were 98 Hindus,
62 Musalmans, and 9 Pársis. A very necessary re-classification of
the lunatics was made in 1877, whereby many patients admitted
orginally for acute mania are now classed under dementia, into
which state they have passed.
5. The causes of insanity are given in statement No. 7, but
very much reliance cannot be placed on them. Gánja in 150 cases,
alcohol in 44 and opium in 10, are assigned as the causes of insani-
ty, while 31 cases are stated to be hereditary and congenital, 24
arose from epilepsy, and 19 from poverty. Grief was the cause in
44 cases, fright in 9, and religious excitement in 10. In 429
cases the cause was unknown. The admissions into hospital from
physical sickness were 617 as compared with 709 in the previous
year, malarious fevers, diarrhœa and dysentery being the com-
monest diseases. It is satisfactory to notice that the improvements
at the Colaba Asylum lowered the number of fever admissions by
99. One lunatic in that asylum committed suicide by hanging,
after having failed in persevering attempts to starve himself to
death.
6. The total sum received from the Treasury was Rs. 96,861,
but against this has to be placed Rs. 9,053, the amount of receipts
from paying patients, garden products, &c., leaving the net cost to
Government at Rs. 87,808, or Rs. 4,013 more than in the previous
year. The causes of the increase were enhanced prices of provi-
sions and the grant of batta to establishments. The average net
cost per head was Rs. 146-9-10 as compared with Rs. 143-5-0 in
1876, the increase being greatest in Dharwar and Ahmedabad, but
in Poona there was a considerable decrease.
7. In statement No. 11 are given the receipts and expendi-
ture on account of manufactures, which are not of much import-
ance financially. In their Resolution on the Annual Report for
1876, Government stated at paragraph 5 that they did " not look
to the gain financially so much as to the great benefits derived by
the patients from employment," and to this the Surgeon General
should have directed the attention of Surgeon Major Bruce in deal¬
53
ing with the question of the water supply to the garden at the
Poona Asylum. The statistics relative to the larger percentage of
cures amongst married as compared with unmarried lunatics given
in statement No. 12 bear out the facts observable in the report of
1876 about the two classes.
8. Lunatic labour was made use of at Colaba to rectify im-
perfections in the drainage. The water supply generally was good
except at the above-named asylum, but it is expected that the new
Tulsi main when opened will effect a great improvement in this im-
portant matter. There was unavoidably some overcrowding at the
Colaba Asylum, and this evil must necessarily continue to some
extent until a new asylum is built at Ratnágiri. Funds will not
admit of this work being undertaken at present.
9. In conclusion, His Excellency the Governor in Council is
glad to observe that all the asylums have been regularly inspected
by the official visitors and the Deputy Surgeons General, while
commendation is due to the Superintendents and the establishments
of the various asylums for the care and watchfulness which they
have shown in carrying on their difficult and responsible duties.
JOHN NUGENT,
Acting Secretary to Government.
To
The SURGEON GENERAL, INDIAN MEDICAL DEPARTMENT,
The SANITARY COMMISSIONER,
The ACCOUNTANT GENERAL,
The COMMISSIONER in SIND,
The COMMISSIONER, N. D.,
The COMMISSIONER, C. D.,
The COMMISSIONER, S. D.,
All COLLECTORS, including the COLLECTORS and POLITICAL SUPER-
---------- in SIND, and the EXTRA FIRST ASSISTANT COL-
------ in charge PANCH MA'HA'LS,
The JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT of the SECRETARIAT,
The PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT of the SECRETARIAT.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT
OF THE
NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL
FOR THE YEAR
1878. FRAMED ON THE WEEKLY AND ANNUAL RETURNS, ON THE REPORTS OF REGIMENTAL
MEDICAL OFFICERS, AND ON THE INSPECTION REPORTS OF
DEPUTY SURGEONS-GENERAL.
WITH STATISTICAL TABLES.
Compiled in the Office of the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Service.
CALCUTTA: O F F I C E O F T H E S U P E R I N T E N D E N T O F G O V E R N M E N T P R I N T I N G .
1880.
IP/6/AF. 3
IP
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT
OF THE
NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL
FOR THE YEAR
1878.
FRAMED ON THE WEEKLY AND ANNUAL RETURNS, ON THE REPORTS OF REGIMENTAL
MEDICAL OFFICERS, AND ON THE INSPECTION REPORTS OF
DEPUTY SURGEONS-GENERAL.
WITH STATISTICAL TABLES.
Compiled in the Office of the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Service.
CALCUTTA:
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING.
1880.
No. 1306.
FROM
J. FULLARTON BEATSON, ESQ. , M. D. , C. I. E. ,
Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Department,
To
THE SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA,
MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
F o r t W i l l i a m , t h e 1 6 t h D e c e m b e r 1 8 7 9 .
SIR,
I HAVE the honour to forward, for submission to.the Right Honour-
able the Governor General in Council, the Medical and Sanitary Report of the
Native Army in the Bengal Presidency for the year 1878.
2. The delay which has taken place in completing the report for publication
has been occasioned by the sudden commencement of active service which
involved a very large proportion of the Native regiments, and the peculiar char-
acter of the operations in Afghanistan which necessitated an extreme curtail-
ment of all superfluous baggage, so that in many cases the hospital records had
to be left behind with the depôts and were not available until the return to
cantonments in June 1879.
3. Moreover, the postal arrangements were often insecure, so that several
official packets were lost in transit ; and. Medical Officers had great difficulty
in communicating with the depôt which remained in India, and in ascertaining
the results of sickness among men, who had been transferred en route to base
and field hospitals.
4. If it had been advisable to do so, an incomplete annual return, omitting
to a wide extent the sickness, invaliding, and mortality, of the troops in the
field might have been prepared much earlier ; but such a breach in 'a compact
series of statistics would have been much to be regretted ; while it is, on the
other hand, a wholesome discipline to require that duty should , be sustained,
even under such a trying strain as that which has been caused by the campaign
in Afghanistan.
5. The last annual return, that of the 21st Native Infantry, has only to-day
been received back corrected, thereby completing the statistics ; and I have
much satisfaction in reporting to the Government of India that they are reason-
ably accurate, regard being had to the many difficulties which have attended
the compilation.
6. In Statement No. I the strength of the Native Army, founded on a
daily census, represents
the average of the year.
By General Order 1 A.,
Military Department, of
the 7th December 1878,
the strength was tem-
porarily augmented
from 384 to 480 sowars
in each cavalry regi-
ment, and from 600 to
800 sepoys in each infan-
try regiment; but any
material increase will
not come into force until
1879. The strength
present represents the
effectives who have been
within reach of medical
aid, while the strength absent comprises soldiers on leave, on. detached employ;
STATEMENT No. I.
Strength of the Native Army in 1878.
STRENGTH.
Present.
Absent.
Total.
Regular Army . . .
40,585
4,519
45,105
Central India Force . .
4,548
1,090
5,639
Punjab Frontier Force
.
10,713
1,639
12,352
Total .
55,847
7,248
63,096
Madras Troops . . .
3,026
126
3,152
GRAND TOTAL .
58,873
7,375
66,248
V
16. There Were 45,077 Hindus, 19,199 Mahomedans; and 300 Christians
serving in the Native
Army in 1878. The mor-
tality exhibits a decid-
ed preponderance in re-
spect of Hindus; but,
as will be shown here-
after, the entire ratios
have in this year been
unduly affected by in-
dividual regimental loss-
es, and it is certain
that the Hindu death-rate has been seriously augmented from the great mortali-
ty which occurred in the 38th Native Infantry at Barrackpore and the 14th
Native Infantry at Peshawur, two regiments almost exclusively Hindu. Also,
it may be admitted that many of the Bengal regiments transported to Afgha-
nistan for service were at first ill prepared to withstand the rigours of the climate,
and in these risks also the Hindu classes predominated. The number of Chris-
tians enlisted is too small to enable any conclusions to be drawn from the
statistics. Last year, for example, they were 287 strong and had not a single
death registered; this year there have been 6 deaths in a strength of 300.
17. In Statement VII will be found a scale of progressive sickness and
mortality according as the troops in each Command have been affected. There is
considerable variation in all of them from year to year, and, moreover, it often
happens that the statistics of one station or district are greatly lowered by the
transfer of a sickly regiment to a more healthy locality, and, vice versâ, a healthy
station may have the hospital statistics gravely augmented by the arrival of a
regiment which has been a long time suffering from agues, &c. elsewhere.
For example, in 1877, Meerut stood No. 10 in Table VII with an average per-
centage of daily sick of only 2.8,—a figure which is most satisfactory as
representing the ratio of a whole year, but it rises to No. 3 in 1878, with the
very serious increase of 5.7 per cent., yet the actual increase of hospital admis-
sions was almost entirely due to the terrible fevers which the 38th Native In
fantry brought with it from Barrackpore, and the 13th Native Infantry from
Cyprus. In a general sense it may be said that the Eastern Frontier District and.
the Punjab Frontier Force, at either end of the Empire, alternate with each
other as having the greatest sickness and mortality; and that the settled pro-
vinces, more particularly where the sepoys have the advantage of early change
to their homes and frequent short leave, keep the most healthy.
STATEMENT No. VI.
Strength and Death-rate according to Caste.
Strength.
Death-rate.
Hindus
. . . . .
45,077
2.75
Mussulmans
.
.
.
.
.
19,199
1.79
Christians .
.
.
. .
300
2 .