xxi
sugar would be a healthful addition, but a special ration for the sick in hospital
is undoubtedly required. Surgeon-Major Oldham, of the 1.st Ghoorkha Regiment,
presses this point with much earnestness. Indeed, the followers have from the
first obtained rice and milk instead of flour and ghee; and all sick native soldiers
should get it. Tea is frequently granted as a hospital ration and is not only
very grateful, but most proper in the treatment of most diseases. The "poshteen,"
a sheep's skin overcoat, is eminently desirable to be generally adopted on service;
some regiments have it as a part of their regular uniforms and found increased
protection from respiratory disease and fevers; to those who had it not a certain
proportion for general use on night duties was allowed.
49. The most important of the special observations which have occurred
during the year is undoubtedly the lamentable poisoning of some troopers of the
9th Bengal Cavalry at Malta by the issue of Burnett's disinfecting fluid instead
of lime-juice. The circumstances which brought about this deplorable mistake
have been minutely detailed in the annual report of the regiment, and, since
a court-of-inquiry and subsequently a lengthened correspondence has satisfied
the Government of India that it was caused more by accident than by care--
lessness, it is perhaps enough for me to mention here that I have issued the
most precise instructions that in future all bottles containing poison shall have
their distinctive labels written in both English and vernacular, and that medical
officers cannot divest themselves of responsibility if no examination of their
contents has been made before they have been issued medicinally.
50. The substitution of cinchona febrifuge in considerable quantities for
quinine has been continued in all the native military hospitals throughout the
year; and I am glad to observe that its efficacy in a very large proportion of
the ordinary climatic fevers is generally admitted. By a recent resolution of
the Bengal Government, the manufacture of the commercial sulphates of
quinine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine is to be commenced on a large scale; and
it is hoped that these, combined as a mixed sulphate, will, without a very
material increase of cost, form a febrifuge equally efficacious without the
disagreable nauseating effects which have hitherto obviated the universal use of
the drug in place of quinine.
51. In a memorandum, No. 84, dated India Office, 10th July 1879, forward-
- i n g a r e v i e w b y t h e A r m y S a n i t a r y C o m m i s s i o n o f m y R e p o r t o n t h e N a t i v e
Army for 1877, the Right Honourable the Secretary of State desires that especial
attention shall be given to the increased prevalence of chest diseases in India.
I have already adduced what I consider to be the measures best calculated to
protect the native soldiers and camp followers from the attacks of these diseases,
viz., woollen body clothing of good quality, less night duty if possible, and early
removal from extreme cold of regiments which are infected with malaria. The
first of these palliatives has already been sanctioned by the Government, but the
other two must wait the cessation of hostilities. At the time of writing the
present report, I have the satisfaction to observe that the health of the troops
in Cabal has greatly improved, and it is hoped that, with the disappearance of
the autumnal fevers and the careful hutting and clothing of regiments, pneu
- m o n i a w i l l b e a v e r t e d .
52. I do not propose to answer in detail the other suggestions which have
been put forward by the Army Sanitary Commission as improvements to the
hygiene of the Native Army. Some of them are already discussed in the body
of this report; some involve far too great an expenditure to he thought of at
the present moment; and others are inopportune when the greater portion of
the Native Army is in the field, and duty has first to be considered. But the
observations of the Sanitary Commission have had my best consideration, and
I shall endeavour at a fitting time to place them before the Government of
India in such a shape as may secure for them not only approval generally, but
also the likelihood of their being carried out.
53. In this, the fifth report, which I have had the honour of submitting to
His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor General in Council, and the last
which will be submitted by me, I crave permission to bring most prominently
under notice the fidelity, humanity, zeal, and ability of the Officers of the Indian.
Medical Service. I believe it to be simply impossible for any body of men
to endeavour to perform their duty to the State with greater strictness, or more
sterling honesty; and after nearly 5 years' experience of their work, I consider