Lines and
barracks.
Conservancy
and latrines.
77
MEERUT DIVISION.
13th (the Shekhawatti) Regiment, Natibe Infantry—Agra.
I. Medical Officers.—The regiment has been in medical charge of various Medical
offi cers medical officers. Surgeon
Major L. F. Dickson, M.D.,
writes the report.
III. Topography and physical
geography.—The following is re-
corded of the camp of " Klima,"
Baffo (Cyprus), by Surgeon
R. Murphy:—" The camp at
Klima is dry, and exposed to
the sea-breeze. It has a good
deal of shade from large trees,
and excellent water from springs
which issue from the rocks.
These rocks in the neighbourhood
of Baffo are identical with those
of Malta, viz., a coralline lime-
stone full of fossils, and under it a soft bed of sandstone, or of crumbling chalk, which is
the water-bearing stratum, from which most excellent springs issue. Below this is a thin bed
of marl, or calcareous clay or shale, which is almost impervious to water and. retains this in
the bed above. All the rocks here, as well as those at Malta, belong to the second division of
t he ' Te r t i a r y pe r i od. ' "
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873 . Bemires . . .
73.5
2.2
4.3
1874 . Ditto
9 4 . 4 1.7
6.7
1875
Ditto
.
103.19
1.56
5.36
1876 . Agra, 21st Nov. 1876 .
98.42
1.14
3.34
1877 . Ditto
57.77
1.
2.25
Average . .
85.46
1 . 5 2
4 . 3 9
1878 . Agra and Malta . .
181.07
2.25
8.14
Topography
and physical
geography.
IV. Climate.—The corps was at Larnaka, Cyprus, for too short a time to have any appre.
ciable effect on its health ; the low sea-board, however, where it was located. at Baffo, Cyprus, is
stated to have been malarious in the extreme. The inhabitants were anæmie, clay com-
plexioned, and fever-stricken, many of them having congested spleen, and rheumatism also
was very rife. Many hundreds of these people are stated to have come to the regimental
hospital begging for treatment.- The contrast between these and the people of the hill.
country is stated to have been very marked, the latter being rosy and healthy looking. It
is to this place that I cannot but attribute the very sickly state of the corps at the time
of writing this. report, as the type of fever there contracted is obstinate in the extreme, and
still sticks to the men, after a lapse of six months. They -(the men) are most unanimous
in attributing to Baffo the origin of the almost epidemic sickness which has fallen upor
them,
V. Lines and barracks.—The transports in which the regiment made the voyage out and
home are spoken of in terms of praise. They are said to have been clean, roomy, and well
ventilated, and no complaints whatever are recorded.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.—During the voyage to Malta, hanging frames on the ships'
sides were made use of, and are reported to have been clean and free from smell. 'Whilst at
Malta the latrines used were in barges, which were towed out to sea daily to be cleaned. Al
first these were very offensive; but the earth system was taken into use, and is said to have
then worked satisfactorily. 'Whilst at Cyprus (both Larnaka and Baffo), trenches were dug
on both flanks, and the dry-earth system used, which worked properly. On the return voyage;
the latrine system (though not described) is said to have been satisfactory. On return to
Agra the same system obtained as that previously described, until the change of lines on
December 16th, and is stated to have worked well. Owing to the great pressure upon etc
hospital latrines in October and November, I found great difficulty in getting the earth system
properly carried out, and nothing but daily inspections and one or two 'small fines levied from
the sweepers succeeded in obtaining a better state of things.
X. Clothing.—Before leaving Agra on service a free kit was issued as follows :—To each
native soldier,-2 canvas coats, 2 flannel banians, 2 flannel drawers, 2 pairs warm socks, 1 pair
boots, and a good blanket. To each camp-follower,---1 cloth coat, 1 cloth pantaloon, 2 country
flannel banians, 2 pairs warm socks, 1 pair boots, and a warm blanket, also a water-bottle and
haversack. These articles were greatly appreciated, and no doubt had their good effect on the
men's health.
XIII. Marches and service.—The movements of head-quarters to Malta and Cyprus
have been already detailed, and as there was no enemy to encounter, there is nothing to add
on this point, save that the spirit of the men was excellent. They express themselves gratified
by the way in which they were treated whilst abroad, and despite their ill-luck in suffering
so much sickness, I have reason to believe that they would be glad to make another expedi-
tion wherever called on, against Afghans, Russians, or any other foe.
X177. Hospital.—During an experience of 22 years, I have never before seen a native
corps in such a sickly state. The new hospital, built in the beginning of 1878, and only taken
into-use on the arrival of the corps in September, is a fine, lofty, roomy ward, 160 feet by 21
feet 3 inches, inside measurement, and facing east and west, only partially divided in the
centre by an arch.
U
Climate.
Clothing.
Marc hey and
service.
Hospital.