CENTRAL INDIA.
51
A detachment of 30 men, relieved twice during the year, was furnished to Sehore. On the
14th December an escort party of 37 sabres accompanied the Agent, Governor-General,
Central India, on his annual tour, and were absent to the end of the year. In addition small
parties of men were invariably absent on miscellaneous duties, such as remount, grain and
grass purchase, escorting prisoners, &c. One-sixth of the total strength of the regiment (or 82
men) are allowed to be absent on furlough.
IV. Meteorology and climate. —The climate of Central India is generally looked upon as a
healthy one, and the year under review, I think, bears out this supposition. Certainly malarial
disease was more prevalent than usual on the cessation of the rains, but this was only in com-
mon with other parts of India.
Rainfall.—The rainfall of the year amounted to 32 . 24 inches, which fell in 64 days,
against 20.99 in 32 days in 1877. Almost the whole fall occurred in the months of June, July,
August and September. The fall was below the average, but the grass crop was exceptionally
good. The cold of the latter part of December was greater than usual.
Drainage, conservancy and water-supply. —No changes have occurred in respect of accom-
modation, drainage and conservancy, or water-supply.
Food-supply.—Food-supplies were abundant and good. The system of making large pur-
chases of grain for men and horses continues to work well. Vegetables and fruits are plentiful.
XI. Duty and employment.—The duty is, as a rule, not severe, though the men are always
more or less actively employed on account of the number of guards, &c., which have to be
furnished. The number of nights in bed for the year at head-quarters was 3 . 31 per week.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations.— These consist in equestrian feats, as tent-
pegging, lime and goat cutting, polo, &c., and in other athletic sports. The Sikhs are very fond,
in addition, of gymnastic exercises, wrestling, &c. Most of the men are fond of shikar at all
times, but take a lively interest in the large game shooting and pig-sticking excursions which
take place at certain seasons. Gardening there is little or none. Every encouragement to
exercise is held out by the officers, between whom and the men the best of feeling exists, who
join in many of their games. Of the beneficial effects accruing from these various exercises
there can, I think, be no doubt. They are most marked, and are seen in the improved physique
and in the dash and daring of the men who take part in them, and I have no doubt would be
still further exhibited in their powers of endurance on active service. Attention is also paid
to the mental culture of the men ; the recruits being obliged to attend school, while several,
through the energy of the Adjutant, have been taught to survey, sketch, and in one instance
to paint animals in water-colors.
XIV. Hospital.—The hospital ordinarily gives ample accommodation, is in good repair,
and well-ventilated and lighted. There is no bath-room, nor post-mortem room.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment :—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
. . . .
.
.
319.40
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
. . . .
.
. 173.45
Total
.
. 492.85
Meteorology
end climate.
Rainfall.
Drainage, &c.
Food-supply.
Duty and
employment.
Exercise,
amusements
and occu-
pation.
Hospital.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
O F
Daily
average
number of
sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions.
Deaths.
Admis-
sions.
Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
Head-quarters at Goona
. 1st Jan. 1878
31st Dec. 1878
287.50
370
4
10.57 128.69 1.39
3.67
Detachment at Sehore
.
Ditto
.
Ditto
.
30.11
5
. . .
.15 16.65
...
.49
Detachment with Agent,
Governor-General, Central
India, on tour.
14th Dec. 1878
Ditto
.
37.
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
TOTAL
.
...
...
319.40
375
4
10.72 117.40 1.25 3.35
Number of deaths in hospital 4; out of hospital 4; total 8; per cent. of total strength
.
1.62
„
invalided
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
13 ;
,,
, ,
.
2.63
„
sent on sick leave
.
.
.
.
.
.
6 ;
, , ,,
.
1.21
„
days spent in hospital 3,939 ; per admission
. 10.50 ; per man of total strength
.
7.99
„
on sick leave 841; per man
.
. 140.16;
,,
, ,
.
1.70
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
9.69
Number 1 of days spent as " Line sick" 2,067 ; per admission 5.51; per man of total strength
.
4.19
True temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
.
13.88
Thirteen men were invalided during the year, most of them for general debility and chronic
rheumatism with " loss of nerve," unfitting them for the active duties of a cavalry soldier.
XVI. Principal causes of sickness. —The most prevalent diseases were malarious fevers
(causing 65 per cent. of the total admissions), bowel-complaints, and injuries, which caused 42
admissions, as follows :—
Contusion
.
.
.
. 28
Fractures
.
.
.
.
4
Wound
.
.
.
. 4
Blisters of feet
.
.
.
4
Sprain. . . . 2
1 From the 1st January to 12th September, the date of receipt of Departmental Circular Memo. 57.
Principal
causes of
sickness.