MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 19TH AUGUST 1881, No. 4447.
were rather criticised than explained ; so the strong presumption of the enteric fever cases being
due to a water-poisoning was not overthrown. No more cases came forward after the well was
closed. On examination, the shaft of the well was found to have two openings through which
drainage evidently percolated ; the well was only four paces from one of the wash-houses in
use, and the site of the latrines had until lately been at an inconsiderable distance from the well.
More than one fallacy may be contained in the supposed proofs connecting the enteric fever
outbreak with the use of the water of the suspected well ; the case is one of presumption only,
arrived at after the possibility of every other source of infection had been excluded. The
strong point of the theory lies in the fact, that the proportion of attacks amongst professed
teetotallers was 1 in 7.5 of their number, whilst amongst non-teetotallers it was only 1 in 46.
The doubtfulness of the purity of the present supply taken in connexion with the compara
-tive scarcity of water at Kamptee, is held to justify the recommendation of a proposed scheme
by which water, taken from another and better-protected source, would be delivered in the
barracks by gravitation.
CANTEENS.
Progress has been made during the year in the provision of buildings better fitted by their
spaciousness and cheerfulness for the accommodation of the men in such comfort as they
appreciate, than the old canteens. New rooms have been occupied at the Infantry barrack of
the entrenchment at Secunderabad, and a new canteen is nearly ready for the use of the Infan-
try barrack at Rangoon.
. Many of the medical officers again record their belief as to the injury accruing from the
optional allowance of spirits to be obtained at the canteen.
No assistance is afforded by the returns of sickness to an estimation of the comparative
prevalence of drinking habits, now and in preceding years ; the diseases due to drink are classed
arbitrarily, unless in the instances of delirium tremens, or of poisoning by alcohol. The
medical officer of the 89th Foot gives a statement contrasting the amount of beer consumed by
the men of that regiment (as shown in the Commissariat Returns) and that consumed by a
battery of Royal Artillery, at the same place, in the summer of the year. For the 89th, the
proportion is 1.6 pints per man per diem ; for the Royal Artillery it is nearly 8.
This striking contrast permits of a hopeful augury of the advance of temperance in drink
amongst the men.
The possible origination of sickness amongst the men from the use of effervescing drinks
rendered hurtful by manufacture with contaminated water, has received attention ; at Kamptee,
at Secunderabad and at other places, the water used by the bazaar makers was analysed. It
might, perhaps, be well to issue such beverages through Commissariat agency.
CLOTHING..
A small and a daily decreasing proportion of the men are still unprovided with the regula
-tion grey hunting shirt.
DUTIES.
These have not been hurtful except in perhaps one instance, in which the number of nights
in bed of the men of a battery of Royal Artillery averaged for a short time between one and
two only ; the medical officer thought that the short intervals between the men's guards
aggravated the prevalence of ague, then epidemic. On representation, the duty was at once
directed to be lessened.
RECREATIONS AND AMUSEMENTS.
Everything practically obtainable in these matters is provided for the men ; they are often
apathetic about formal amusements, but the remedy for this is not easy to find.
HOSPITALS.
The hospital buildings in the command are commonly in very good order and sanitarily
have been well cared for ; no sickness originating in hospital defects has been recognised
amongst the patients. An important concession was made during the year, in the permission
to use punkahs in the hot season for the whole twenty-four hours, should the administrative
medical officer consider it necessary.
At Kamptee and at Rangoon, new hospitals are required for the Infantry regiments
respectively quartered at those places ; one of the regiments at Thayetmyo, supernumerary to
the usual garrison, used a converted barrack for a hospital ; and the detachment at Malapuram
used a chapel temporarily.
FORT ST. GEORGE,
(Signed)
G. BIDIE, M.B., Surgeon-Major,
20th July 1881.
for Surgeon- General, Her Majesty's Forces.
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