EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT.
33
E p i d e m i c s .
XVIII. Epidemics. —Notwithstanding that severe epidemics of cholera prevailed for five
months in the year, and small-pox during the entire year among the civil population both at
Dibrugarh and Sadiya, the regiment enjoyed complete exemption from the former pestilence
and only three cases of small-pox occurred; two at Dibrugurh were severe, but recovered, awl
one confluent case at Wokha which terminated fatally. No better evidence of the protective
influence of vaccine can be adduced than the practical exemption of the men of this regiment
and their families from small-pox last year when the disease raged in a most virulent form
among all classes in their immediate vicinity and with whom they necessarily came in contact
daily. The three cases that occurred were among young sepoys recently joined.
v a c c i n a t i o n .
XIX. Vaccination. —Thirteen sepoys were vaccinated successfully ; this being the entire num-
ber of men who were found among the recruits of the year to be unprotected. A large number
of the sepoys' children were also vaccinated. A non-commissioned officer of the corps was
taught by one of my predecessors to vaccinate ; he takes great interest in the work, and looks
up all children or followers who are unprotected.
S p e c i a l
o b s e r v a t i o n s
a n d r e m a r k s . XXI. Special observations and remarks.—The only medical event of the year worth record-
ing was the entire discontinuance of the employment of quinine in the treatment of ague.
All the (548) cases of this disease were treated exclusively with the cinchona febrifuge, and a
with the most gratifying results; the average time each case remained under treatment having
been less than I had ever before known in twenty year's experience in this station. I do not
consider that the anti-periodic properties of the febrifuge are superior to quinine, but the high
price of the latter drug necessi-tated economy in its use, which meant in other words, giving in-
sufficient doses; whereas the febrifuge being cheap and supplied to native hospitals in quantity
be administered liberally. My observations of the therapeutic effects of the cinchona febri-
fuge may possibly be considered of some value, inasmuch as I believe I see more cases of mala-
rial fever than any other medical officer in India, as between the Government institution and
the private hospital of tea companies some fifteen thousand cases of intermittent fever are
treated under my supervision annually. I commenced prescribing the febrifuge about three
years ago, and at first only administered it in mild cases. The results were so satisfactory, that
I have since gone on extending its use until now, when I am able to report that I have caused
it to displace quinine altogether in the treatment of ague in all the public institutions under my
charge, as also to a great extent in all the hospitals of tea concerns over which I exercise super-
vision or control. I do not find that it produces the excessive gastric irritability reported by
some medical officers. It does so undoubtedly to a certain extent, but this effect is, I believe,
very much exaggerated by the patients and medical subordinates who are prejudiced in favor of
the long-established remedy. It requires larger doses than quinine to produce equal anti-pyretic
effects in the proportion of three to two, and in consequence causes greater degree of cincho-
nism. In some cases of congestive remittent fever, I still consider quinine to be the more
reliable agent.
I n s p e c t i o n .
Inspection.—This regiment, stationed at Dibrugarh, was inspected by Deputy
Surgeon-General DeRenzy on the 1st April 1878. The first complaint is about
the construction of the huts, which are exceedingly damp from having been dug
out, instead of raised over, water-logged soil. The water-supply from the wells
might be improved. There is a good deal of sullage, and the surface drippings
are washed from the feet back into the well. There were trench latrines in
good order. The hospital and all the medical arrangements were found to be
in excellent order. The discipline seemed excellent. The physique of the men
promoted by careful selection of recruits. There had been severe cholera in
the neighbouring civil station in which the water-supply was abominable, but
the cantonment had escaped. A comprehensive project for improved sanitation
of the adjoining civil station is promised.
35th (The Mynpoorie) Regiment, Na tive Infantry.
I. Medical 0 fficers.—Surgeon A. Tomes was in medical charge from the
1st of January to the 11th of
March, when he was relieved
by Surgeon-Major J. J.
McDermott, M.D., who held
charge to the end of the
year.
XIII. Marches and service. —
Owing to the flooded state of the
rivers by which the regiment
travelled, and the resulting inun-
dation of the country bordering on
their banks, there was frequently
great difficulty in getting cook-
ing places for the men, and they
I
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Cawnpore, February 1872
5 1 .
1.7
2.
1874
.
Ditto
.
.
.
49.9
.7
2.3
1875
.
Ditto
.
.
.
42.4
. 8
1.7
1876
. Cachar, February 1876 .
191.89
2.86
1.07
1877
. Cachar
.
.
.
148.46
3.68
9.11
Average
.
.
96.73
1.95
3.23
1878
. Cachar and Allahabad .
199.49
2.48
7.26
Medical
Officers.
Marches and
service.