MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 18TH SEPTEMBER 1878, No. 4838.
ardent fever (the combined result of climate and drink) passing into heat poplexy.
It is recorded in my published report, paragraph 28, page 60.
One case occurred in the 48th Regiment, Malliapooram. This case is recorded
in my published report, paragraph 30, page 62. 1 consider it to have been a case of
mild febricula, non-specific.
The case recorded in 33rd Regiment, Kamptee, occurred subsequent to com-
mencing my published report, and is therefore omitted from it. From a perusal of
the records submitted to me, I consider it to have been a case of continued non-
specific fever rapidly becoming adynamic. This case is entered in the accompany-
ing appendix.
The solitary case recorded in 1/21st Regiment, Rangoon, occurred in a man
mt. 28 years, with 16 months' service in India. The record of the case is given in
paragraph 33, page 62, of my report on enteric fever already alluded to. The
records available are so imperfect as to leave the nature of the case doubtful, but
there is nothing to justify the impression that the case was one of specific typhoid.
It is more like febricula than anything else.
One case was reported in the Royal Artillery at Thayetmyo on 22nd February
1877, but no particulars are available. The case recorded at Poonamallee occurred
on 22nd December 1877, and proved fatal. This case is not recorded in my pub-
lished report on enteric fever. From the records submitted for examination, I
consider it to have been a case of endemic continued fever, non-specific, over
stimulated at first.
Such particulars with regard to it as are available are noted in the accom-
panying appendix.
At page 73, paragraph 40, of my special report, and also in my reply lately
submitted to Remarks by the Army Sanitary Commission on the Health Returns of
British Troops in this Command for 1876, I observe that, having reference to existing
difference of opinion as to whether specific enteric fever does, or does not, prevail
among them, it is desirable that a systematic inquiry by acknowledged competent
judges should take place in regard to this question. At the same time, as expressed
by me in the latter document, it is no less desirable that, having regard to causation
and phenomena, an authoritative definition may be given as to what shall be held
to constitute the form of fever so called.
Constitutional Group.—Compared with 1876, both admission and death rates
show an increase,—that for 1877 being 159 . 3 L and 1 . 36 respectively per mile of
strength, against 135 . 19 and 0 . 89 in the preceding year. The increased admission
rate is due to the prevalence of syphilis, which gave a ratio of 119 .37 against 89.20
per mille in previous year. Owing to famine, numbers of the villagers left their
homes, and congregated in the vicinity of die larger stations, where they were
employed on relief works. To the facilities for clandestine prostitution afforded by
this class, much of the venereal disease among the troops is attributed.
Local Diseases.—Compared with 1876, the admission rate for this class has
decreased, so also has the invaliding rate,—the ratios for 1877 being 14 . 89 and
2 . 91 respectively per mile of strength, against 21 . 38 and 3°86 in the previous year.
The death rate remains almost unchanged. Sunstroke was less prevalent, there
being but nineteen admissions and thirteen deaths against forty-three admissions with
eighteen deaths in the previous year. Of these, the Hyderabad Circle contributed
only five admissions and three deaths against twenty-nine admissions and twelve
deaths in 1876. This affection was, however, more prevalent in the Burmah Circle.
Eight cases—five fatal—being recorded against one case admitted, which recovered,
in the previous year. Cases of this disease occurred in all circles.
Appended is a table showing the admissions and deaths from sunstroke in the
Command from 1871 to 1877 inclusive—together with the ratios per 1,000 of
strength,
14