Camel
carriage and
camels.
Hospital
equipment.
ROHILCUND DIVISION.
95
water, and the men were permanently placed on commissariat rations. A small supply of rum
for the use of the weakly only was here procured. Warm clothing, consisting of one jersey,
two pairs of warm socks (both English), and a native blanket of very inferior texture, were sup-
plied. The water-proof sheets and mittens for each man and the 15 per cent. of poshteens for
sentries, were not available although clearly directed to be furnished (vide Military Department
No. 789K, dated 9th November 1878). The want of them caused much misery, and when
the mettle of the men were overtaxed by deficient clothing, especially when on night guard,
and deficient and unsuitable food, less than half rations, and excessive work too. Nearly
all our deaths arose from pneumonia in spring. One cannot but remark on the policy which
led to the serving out of two pairs of socks, while a pair of boots or shoes was denied, although
the men were prepared to pay any money for them ; many of the boots were already worn out,
and ere the Bolan was passed, a very large number from being compelled to walk on their
stocking soles arrived at Quetta bootless and bare-footed. Blucher used to maintain that food
and leather were the real elements of military success. The water in the Bolan was however
good, the men had better food, and there was no night marching; so the sick list soon began
to drop and the flagged and jaded to pick up. Every care was taken of the men and follow-
ers, and no matter at what hour they arrived, herbage was cut for bedding and the tent
sealed from the keen winds by earth trenches and "pies." This was a tedious duty, but
in association with the dietetic care of the sick, bore its own reward, for in the sequel it will be
noted that by a rigorous pursuit of this plan, the regiment consisting of 1,381 (of whom 618
were combatants) reached the year's end without the loss of a single life in any grade ; and I
may add, en parenthese, without the loss of a sepoy until the 14th day of February 1879, when
the first man perished from asthenic pneumonia induced by excessive cold, insufficient food and
unsuitable clothing.
Clinical studies. —I invite attention to the utility of oiled-paper as a jacket, in lieu of a
warm roller, in pneumonia. It is very efficient, and in the piercing winds was appreciated by
healthy but under-clothed men as a comforting adjunct.
Health of camp -followers.—The number of camp-followers with and attached to the regi-
ment were :—
Kahars
. .
2 9 6
Public followers
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
. 32
Private „ .
.
.
.
.
.
. .
. 65
Camel-men
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. . 363
Muleteers
.
.
7
TOTAL
. . 763
Clinical
studies.
Health of
Camp -
followers.
All public and private servants prior to leaving Mithankote were inspected, and their
warm clothing approved. The weakly were rejected. Public followers were allowed the sub-
joined free rations :—
Atta or rice
.
.
.
. .
. .
.
.
. 1 Seer.
Dhal
.
. .
.
.
. .
.
.
. .
. 2 Chittacks.
Ghee
.
. .
.
. .
.
.
. . ½
,,
Salt
.
. .
.
. .
.
.
. . 1 / 3
, ,
The ration of the Mahar when carrying a considerable burden should, I opine, have been
quite equal to that of the sepoy. The following clothing was sanctioned as a free issue:—I good
blanket ; 1 pair Cashmere putties ; 1 poshteen or merzai; 1 pair warm pyjamas ; 1 Cawnpore water-
proof sheet. The blanket was anything but good; no poshteens were available, and the warm
pyjamas did not reach us till March 1879. The waterproof sheet was not supplied ; a jersey,
stockings, and mittens were great desiderata, and would have done much to ameliorate suffering
in winter. An extra number of kahars were attached to the regiment; these were made over
to the Commissariat at Kandahar. Our regulated establishment is now—and it is ample too
— 2 s i r d a r s , 6 m a t e s , 1 4 0 k a h a r s , 4 d o o l i e s a n d 2 7 d a n d i e s . T h e y a r e t h u s a l l o t t e d : — E a c h d o o l y
8, and a dandy 4, of a crew. Two doolies and two dandies are attached to the head-quar-
ter wing hospital, and two doolies and one dandy to the hospital of the second wing.
These are designated " reserve." Each company has its own 3 dandies, so that a wing
moves with 12 dandies, exclusive of its hospital reserve. One mate is posted to the charge
of two companies, and one sirdar to each wing. The kahars are all numbered ; e.g., A. 1,
H. (R.) 1, mean respectively Kahar No. 1 of A company, and Kahar No. 1 of the right
wing hospital. This system works well and has the advantage of avoiding any confusion
when a company or wing is separated—a matter of constant occurrence. Regarding the
health of the camp-followers, they, in common with the sepoys, were upset on the march through
the Katchi, but as they were lightly weighted, and had no fatiguing guard duties, their health
w a s g o o d — a s c o r e o f s e v e r e c a s e s o f f e v e r a n d d i a r r h œ a w a s t h e o u t s i d e u n d e r t r e a t m e n t . T h e
regiment although sadly broken up was moving through the same country, the majority being
with head-quarters, I have therefore treated it throughout the report as a unity.
Camel carriage and camels. —The usual kajawas for sick could not be supplied, but within
the last few days they have arrived, so that our equipment is well nigh complete.
Hospital equipment.—The hospital equipment was ample and met every want. It con-
sisted of 4 camels, 1 mate, 1 banghy-burdar ; and 1 field companion. A special camel
was allowed, at my urgent request, to carry a supply of comforts which I purchased privately.