Inspection.
Climate.
Physical ge
o - graphy and
description
of station.
Prevailing
diseases.
Sickness.
Intermittent
fever.
Rheumatism.
Bronchitis.
Dysentery.
Birth and
death re
- g i s t e r .
Mortality.
PRESIDENCY DISTRICT. 15
Twenty-four men were on sick leave at the beginning of the year in addition to the 56 men
mentioned above as having been sent on sick leave during the year 1878. The following table
summarizes the health of the regiment since the year 1870 :—
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877. 1878.
Average strength . . . 630.79 621.0 538.46 699.14. 697.92 704.2 694.34 679.18 618.74
Admission per cent.
. . 93.9
176.5 205.5 161.8 145.2 124.79 168.16 229.07 209.29
Deaths
„ .
.
.
1.4
2.4
1.3
2.04
1.2
1.98
2.44
3.09
3.02
Invalided „ . . .
...
...
2.89
5.57
3.01
3.54
3.88
1.47
1.87
Inspection.—The regiment was inspected by the Deputy Surgeon-General
of the Assam Circle on the 8th March 1878.
The sepoys' huts are said to be excessively damp. Not only is the rainfall
excessive, but the drainage is defective, and the construction of the huts rude
and unwholesome. To this cause the Deputy Surgeon-General attributes chiefly
the continued high rate of the sickness, invaliding and mortality.
The water-supply is also open to contamination, especially that obtained
from the lower rivulet. The hospital latrine had a masonry floor, and was
" foul." Efficient conservancy in the Eastern Frontier districts is not an easy
matter. There are no sweepers, and the dampness everywhere precludes the
benefits of dry earth.
The hospital records were in perfect order ; the medicines and instruments
carefully kept,—the poisons apart ; and. all the medical arrangements were indi
-cative of careful and sensible supervision.
11th Regiment, Madras Infantry—Doranda.
The report for 1878 is written by Surgeon Edward Levinge, who has been
in medical charge.
Climate.—The climate of Doranda is good. In the months of December and January
cold winds prevail, which appear to induce fever and rheumatism. The rains are not excessive,
and the hot weather is of short duration.
Physical geography and description of station.— The station of Doranda is about 2,100
feet above the sea-level. The surrounding district is composed of undulating ground, and
presents nothing remarkable. The chief rocks visible are granite. The station is bounded on
the north-east and south-west by two small rivers. The drainage of the station is good, site
excellent, and there is an abundant supply of good water. The men's huts are bad, and are
too small ; but the repair of the lines is under the consideration of Government.
Prevailing diseases.—The chief diseases are fever and chronic rheumatism. They prevail
after the wet season and during the cold weather. No epidemic occurred in the neighbourhood
of the station.
Sickness.—The health of the corps has been good during the year. The chief causes of
admission to hospital were ague and rheumatism; the former was not of a severe character.
Intermittent Fever.—Two hundred and seventy-two cases were admitted, none of which
were of a severe nature.
Rheumatism.—Seventy-six admissions. It commonly occurs in the form of lumbago, and
appears to be caused by cold winds.
Bronchitis.—Thirty-seven admissions. It appears to have been caused by cold, and was as
a rule easily cured.
Dysentery.—Twenty-nine cases. These cases were little more than catarrh of the bowel,
and were readily amenable to treatment.
Birth and Death Register.—Information is weekly received from the Adjutant, and the
causes of death ascertained as far as possible.
Mortality.—Six deaths in hospital, as follows
2 from Ascites.
1 „ Phthisis pulmonalis.
1 „ Meningitis.
Out of hospital two deaths :—
1 from Phthisis pulmonalis.
1 from Myelitis.
1 „ Enteritis.
1 from Diarrhœa.