19
82. When the Regiment moved into camp it was accompanied by about
Immunity of officers
and
Camp
followers.
1200
Natives, including horsekeepers, grasscutters, lascars,
coolies, toties, private servants, &o.
Out of this large strength, it is very remarkable, that only one individual
was attacked by cholera, viz., one of the hospital coolies, who recovered. A
young Officer of the Regiment who had been much exposed to the sun, and
constantly mixing with the sick and dying, suffered from symptoms suspiciously
resembling those of cholera, but the case was not returned as one of cholera.
83. The removal of the Corps into camp was evidently attended with good
Effect of removal to
camp
generally
benefi-
cial.
results. It is probable that all who were attacked up to
the
fourth or fifth day had imbibed the seeds of the disease
before moving out of the station. The cases occurring after
the fifth day were very few indeed, and of a milder type.
84. The removal occurred during the prevalence of the hottest weather of
Suitable camp accom-
modation
for
Cavalry
in
dry
season
the
Deccan climate. The camps had to be chosen with espe-
cial reference to the amount of water available for the horses,
and,
this
being
the
dryest time of the year, it was not easy to
find suitable ground within convenient distances. Early in June the south-west
monsoon set in, and an agreeable change in the temperature resulted. The
health of the Corps generally improved while under canvass. One man died
from insolation. Two of the sick, who were moved out with the Regiment, took
cholera. One of these (a case of chronic diarrhoœa) died.
85. It would be presumptuous for any one, not on the spot at the time of
the outbreak, to find fault with the arrangements made for the removal of the
Corps from the scene of disaster. The promptness of the removal of the
Regiment, and the complete provision of all requisites by the Commissariat,
Quartermaster-Generals, and Medical Departments were, so far as I can learn,
highly creditable to every one concerned.
86. In reviewing the past, however, I am not quite sure that the inhabi-
Movement of Women
and
children.
tants of the married quarters would not have fared as well,
if
they had been left behind in their ranges. It is true that
two cases had occurred in the married quarters before the move of the Regi-
ment, and that the Officers of the Medical Department were quite justified, by
existing regulations, in recommending the removal of the families but, in
consideration of the fact that each married quarter could be separately vacated
and disinfected as occasion required, and taking into account the discomfort and
suffering entailed on women and young children, under the circumstances of
a forced march, I think it would be well, in the event of a similar calamity
recurring, to leave the women and children in quarters, unless the prevalence
of disease amongst them imperatively demanded their removal into camp.
It may be however that, if the women and children had remained behind, they
would have continued to use a dubious water-supply, and have suffered from
this cause as much as they actually did from the camp life.
87. We know as yet very little regarding the way in which removal from an
infected locality assists in staying the disease. In the case of the Hussars they
had to proceed to a distance of nine miles from the station to find a spot where
a sufficiency of water existed. The camp was shifted three times before the disease
entirely disappeared. The marching, subsequent exposure, and discomfort must