156
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
The man dying of enteric fever was reported to have contracted the disease whilst on leave,
at a village near Kohat said to be very dirty and badly drained, and in which also two or three
of its inhabitants died about the same time, probably from the same disease.
There were also 7 men who died out of hospital, and from the following causes, viz. :—
Dysentery
. .
.
. .
.
.
. .
.
. 2 cases.
Hypertrophy of spleen .
.
.
.
.
. .
.
. 1 „
,, with rupture of spleen
.
.
. .
.
. 1 ,,
Pneumonia (315).
.
.
.
.
. .
.
.
. 2 ,,
Paralysis
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
. 1 „
Recommend -
ations.
XX. Recommendations. —At the recommendation of the medical officer, the ventilation of
the men's quarters at Kohat was much improved, by making a circular aperture of exit in the
centre of each roof in addition to the oblong apertures of entry before existing. At the recom-
mendation of the medical officer also, latrines on the dry-earth system have been introduced
during the year.
Inspection. Inspection. — T h e i n s p e c t i o n o f t h i s r e g i m e n t t o o k p l a c e a t K o h a t o n t h e
28th March. The ventilation of the huts is considered defective being by the
doors only. There were neither latrines nor urinals in the lines. The medical
history sheets were defective. In other respects the hospital service and equip-
ment was satisfactory.
1st Regiment, Sikh Enfantry—Kohat.
Medical
Officer.
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon-Major A. P. Holmes has been in medical
charge throughout the year.
Lines,
barracks, &amp;c.
V. Lines, barracks,
& a m p ; c . — T h e s i t u a t i o n o f t h e l i n e s i n K o h a t h a s
been described in former reports,
and is, from a sanitary point of
view, extremely faulty. They
occupy low ground at the foot of
a hill on which is situated the city
of Kohat, one of the chief drains
of which passes through their
midst, while two of the other
sides are surrounded by cultivated
ground, which is frequently irri-
gated. The regiment has now
been quartered in these lines for
four consecutive years, and to this
fact I attribute a large part of the
sickness from which the men have suffered.
Drainage.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage of the greater part of the station of Kohat is very good
naturally, that of the lines has been improved to such extent as the nature of the ground will
permit ; in fact, nothing more short of sub-soil draining, which to be of use would have to
embrace a considerable area, and the diversion of the city drains from their present course, could
improve its present condition.
Conservancy
and latrines.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.— T h e r e a r e n o l a t r i n e s f o r t h e l i n e s i n K o h a t . S i n c e t h e
regiment has been in camp, the trench system has been in use, and has been fairly successful.
Water-
supply.
VIII. Water-supply.— The source and mode of supply of water in Kohat is remarkably
good. In most of the camps also, except at Jumrood, there was not much fault to find with it.
Clothing.
X. Clothing. —The clothing of the men is well adapted to climate and season ; it has lately
been supplemented by the gift from Government of woollen jerseys, socks, gloves and an
extra blanket : no further improvement is necessary. The men wear native shoes or sandals,
and suffer very little from sore-feet.
Marches and
service.
XIII. Marches and service.— T h e h e a d - q u a r t e r s o f t h e r e g i m e n t w e r e e n g a g e d i n t h e
Jowaki campaign at the beginning of the year. On the 16th January it formed a portion of the
force in the affair of the Naru Khula Pass, in which Major Rice, the commandant, was
dangerously wounded, being shot through the lungs ; one sepoy was killed, and another wounded.
On the 7th February the regiment returned to Kohat. Oa the 3rd October orders were
received to march immediately to Peshawar, a distance of 40 miles, which was accomplished
in 18 hours, including halts. On 7th October the regiment moved on to Jumrood, 8 miles
from Peshawar and 3 from the entrance to the Khyber Pass, and encamped on a stony piece
of ground near the fort ;the water-supply at this camp was very indifferent, being derived
solely from a stream which was very muddy. On the 20th November the regiment formed
part of the 2nd Brigade, Peshawar Valley Force, which made the flank march over the mountains
to the rear of Ali Musjid. There was no opposition by the enemy, but on the march and the two
subsequent days the men underwent great hardships. Owing to the scarcity of mule carriage,
their bedding and a part of their rations had to be carried on bullocks, which were unable to
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Edwardesabad, Feb.1872.
Ditto
. . .
174.9
2.3
7.4
1874
. Kohat, Feb. 1875 .
.
180.9
1.5
6.7
1875
.
Ditto
. . .
132.29
3.26
5.07
1876
. Ditto
. . .
152.84
2.01
4.32
1877
.
125.12
2.54
4.29
Average
. .
153.21
2.32
5.55
1878
. Kohat .
.
.
.
238.25
6.85
9.24