Medical
Officers.
Location and
movements.
Topography
and physical
geography.
Meteorology
and climate.
Lines, &c.
Drainage.
Latrines.
Water-supply
Food-supply.
Clothing.
Duties,
Amusements.
Hospital.
83
MEERUT DIVISION.
Dicerod's Body-guard—Dehra Dun.
I. Medical Officers. —The report for the year 1878 is furnished by Sur-
geon G. G. MacLaren, M.D.,
Civil Surgeon of; Dehra
Dun.
II. Location and movements.—
The regiment was stationed at
Ballygunge, Calcutta, from 1st
January to 20th March, when it
left by rail en route for Dehra
Dun, where it remained until the
end of the year. A detachment
of 65 men for escort duty pro-
ceeded to Calcutta on 14th
December, and had not returned
when the year had expired.
III.
Topography and physical
geography.—The regiment is loca-
ted. in a very suitable and healthy site on the right hand of the high-road which joins Debra
and Rajpore. The subsoil is gravelly, and the country around open, cultivated, and particularly
salubrious.
IV. Meteorology and climate. —There has not been anything unusual in the climate requiring
special note, compared with that of former years.
V. Lines, barracks and huts. —The measurements of the lines give to each man 704.7 feet
of cubic space, and 78.3. superficial area, but nevertheless the walls are by far too low (6 feet),
and the rooms wanting sadly in light as well as ventilation and space. The recommendations
necessary have been brought to the notice of the commanding officer.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage is reported to be perfect.
VII. Latrines.—There are no latrines, the men resorting to a field at some distance.
VIII. Water-supply.—Water for drinking and cooking is obtained from a spring about 3
miles to the north-east. It is exceedingly pure. An open canal runs through the line, which
furnishes bathing water.
IX.
Food-supplies.—Vegetables and fruits are easily procurable and in sufficient quantity
The men are " well paid, and lack neither good nor varied food."
X. Clothing.—This is all that could be desired. I insist on each man being supplied with
two thick woollen banians for use during the cold season. Since the introduction of this, fevers;
bronchitic ailments and digestive affections have considerably decreased.
X I , X I I .
T h e
d u t i e s
a r e l i g h t . P o l o i s r e s o r t e d t o a s a na
m u s e m e n t .
XIV.
Hospital.—The hospital is too small and very inconvenient, having no dispensary or
store-room. A detached ward was built for followers, but has to be utilized for troopers occa-
sionally. Recommendations have been submitted that the main hospital should be enlarged to
double its size, a separate and commodious place for the treatment of sick syces and camp-
followers provided, a suitable dispensing-room built, and quarters for the hospital-assistant and
other hospital subordinates added.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment :—
Present. .
. . . . . .
. 99.98
Absent.
.
. . . . . . .
. 20.02
Total .
. 120.00
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Ballygunge . . .
201.8
1.16
3.86
1874 . Ditto . . . .151.2
1.15
3.3
1875
. Debra Dun, Mar.1875
272.7
1.94
5.2
1876
Ditto
. . ..
217.84
1.69
4.69
1877
. Ditto
. . .
128.23
.83
3.47
Average
. .
194.35
1.35
4.10
1878 . Dehra Dun
. .
151.03
...
4.64
Sickness,
mortality and invaliding.
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER OF
Daily
average
number of
sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGT
H PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis- sions. Deaths.
Admi s-si ons. Deaths. Daily
a v e r a g e s i c k .
Ballygunge
. . . 1st Jan. 1878 20th Mar. 1878
99.98 151 ...
4.64 151.03 ... 4. 64
Debra Dun . . . .
27th Mar. „ 31st Dec. „
Number of deaths in hospital 0; out of hospital 0; total
0 ; per cent. of total strength
. 0.00
,,
invalided . . . . . . . .
7 ;
,,
, ,
.
5.83
,,
sent on sick leave
. . . . .
2;
,,
. 1.66
,,
of days spent in hospital 1,685; per admission . 11.15; per man of total strength
14.04
,,
, ,
o n s i c k l e a v e 1 2 2 ; p e r m a n
61;
,,
„
.
1.02
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
. . 15.06