6
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 13TH OCTOBER 1880, No. 6462.
Canteen .—The new regulations governing canteens were in force in them; no restriction is
placed on the amount of beer a soldier may be served with, except that he must pay for it at
once, and he must be sober at the time. Most of the medical officers have seen no harm from
this extension; some think it has acted well; others think it has increased drunkenness; the
medical officers of the depôts at Wellington and at Poonamallee concur in condemning the new
regulation as unsuitable for such places, where the men have much time on their hands. The
medical officers pretty generally condemn the issue (optional) of a dram of rum, or of arrack;
they think it hurtful in initiating the habit of drinking in young soldiers.
Clothing.—Is generally considered very suitable, and sufficiently varied. The medical officer,
12th Lancers,thinks however that a serge patrol jacket should be issued for use in the early
morning of the rainy and of the cold season.
At most stations in the rains, charcoal is issued to dry the damp clothes.
Duties.—In only two instances have these been hurtful: (1) thirteen men of a company
marching in May to Calicut in the course of an ordinary relief were attacked with sunstroke
and two of the attacks were fatal; (2) the battery of Royal Artillery at Rangoon suffered in
health at one time from severe duty; the nights in bed, which usually were three and four, in
December were curtailed to one and two.
Amusements.—No suggestion is made for increasing the means or for varying the kind of
amusements. All the ordinary out-of-door and in-door amusements are available; apparently,
they are not much used by the majority of the men. At certain stations special recreations
are permitted, such as boating and shooting, and at many stations the men having no duty
are allowed to leave barracks at any hour they please, instead of being restricted to certain
hours. The sense of freedom in this respect is probably the greatest advantage; the medical
officers generally remark that no harm has followed the permission for the men to go about in
the heat of the day; in one instance, however, a death from sunstroke was the consequence, x h u t
though much to be regretted, the fact of this death having occurred should not be held as
sufficient to condemn the practice.
Hospitals.—The new hospital erected for the use of the depôt at Poonamallee was taken
into use in the month of March; it is reported to be in every respect exceedingly well adapted
for the purpose. The site, however, is objected to, and a quarter for one of the subordinate
medical establishment is required in connection with it.
A new hospital for the Royal Artillery at Secunderabad was occupied; it is reported on
favorably.
At Rangoon, it is proposed to construct a new hospital.
At Kamptee, a lying-in ward is required for the women's hospital.
MALAPURAM.
The hospital was burnt down; the chapel of the station was used as a temporary hospital,
accessory accommodation being added.
PRESIDENCY CIRCLE.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. S. MURRAY, M.B., P.M.C.
Military Command.
Station.
B r i t i s h T r o o p s .
Centre District . . .
Madras, Fort St. George . . .
12/8th Royal Artillery.
Det. 43rd Light Infantry.
Dets. 2/16th Regiment and 89th Regiment.
S t . T h o m a s ' M o u n t . . .
0/1st, Royal Artillery.
I/6th, Royal Artillery.
Pallávaram (occasionally). . . Detachment, 43rd Regiment.
Poonamallee . . .
Convalescent Depôt.
Ceded District . . .
Bellary
G/6th Royal Artillery.
2/13th Regiment.
Ramandroog (temporarily). Convalescent Depôt.
Southern District.
Trichinopoly . . .
L/1st, Royal Artillery.
MADRAS (FORT ST. GEORGE).
A battery of Royal Artillery was quartered here throughout the year, a regiment of Infan-
-try for the first ten weeks, and details of various corps for the whole year.