MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 3RD DECEMBER 1883, No. 6524.
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11. Table 2 in appendix gives details as to the causes and number of deaths
in each corps and station, and table 3 shows the prevalence and mortality of the
different classes of disease in each of the administrative circles in the command.
12.
Sickness amongst Officers.—In an annual aevrage strength of 314, the admis
- s i o n r a t e w a s 7 9 2 . 9 p e r m i l l e a g a i n s t 7 7 9 . 5 , t h e r a t i o i n 1 8 8 1 , a n d 1 , 0 6 9 . 0 6 , t h e
admission rate in 1882 for non-commissioned officers and men. Forty-three admis
- s i o n s w e r e d u e t o f e v e r s , 4 0 t o d i s e a s e s o f t h e d i g e s t i v e o r g a n s , 1 5 t o d i s e a s e s o f
the respiratory system, 14 to constitutional diseases, 21 to cutaneous affections, and
44 to injuries. There were three deaths, giving a ratio of 9.5 per mille of strength
against 12.7 in 1881, and against a death-rate of 10.54 amongst non-commissioned
officers and men in 1882. The number invalided to England was in the ratio of
85.9 per mille of strength, the corresponding rate amongst non-commissioned officers
and men having been 29.67.
13.
Sickness amongst Women .—The average annual strength of the wives of
non-commissioned officers and men was 851, and the admissions, exclusive of child
- birth, numbered 888, giving a ratio of 1,043.46 per 1,000 of strength. The admis-
sion rate was therefore 301.71 per mille of strength in excess of the ratio in 1881.
Contrasting the rates of prevalence of the chief classes of diseases in the two years,
it appears that there was a decrease in fevers, but a marked increase in all the other
groups, more especially in diseases of the constitutional class and of the nervous,
respiratory, and digestive systems. The deaths were at the rate of 12.92 per 1,000
of strength against 19.34 in 1881, showing a satisfactory decline; 246 cases of
child-birth occurred without a single casualty.
14. Sickness amongst Children.— The average strength of the children of non-
commissioned officers and men was 1,466 as compared with 1,552 in 1881, while
the admissions were at the rate of 1,032.74 per mille of strength, and the deaths in
the ratio of 41.61 against 585.06 and 39.95, respectively, in the previous year.
There was a large increase in the number of admissions, and a slight increase in
mortality in the year under review. The chief causes of the increase in sickness
were fever and diseases of the respiratory and digestive organs, and to some extent
also diseases of the constitutional class and nervous system. Of the 61 deaths
amongst the children, over one-third were due to diseases of the digestive system,
and of these 16 were the results of diarrhœa.
Sanitary Remarks.—The following abstract shows some of the sanitary matters
which received attention during the year:—
BARRACKS, &C.
Madras.—The Deputy Surgeon-General considers the fort overcrowded, owing
to the presence of so many buildings connected with the arsenal, garrison, and
public offices. He also deems the barracks unsuited for a climate like Madras,
and believes that, but for the sea-breeze, the fort would be very unhealthy.
Secunderabad.—The guard-room of the artillery was found overcrowded by the
Deputy Surgeon-General. This defect was brought to the notice of the General
Commanding, who promised to take steps to remedy the defect.
Kamptee. —The re-modelling of the European infantry barracks is now
approaching completion, and the results, as regards roofing, ventilation, and lighting
are highly satisfactory.
Rangoon.— The eighth block of the European infantry barracks was nearly com
- p l e t e d . T h e g u a r d - r o o m b e l o n g i n g t o t h i s b a r r a c k s w a s r e p o r t e d a s d a m p a n d
unhealthy.
Bangalore. —The cells of the European infantry barracks were improved by
the introduction of a large upper window in each of them.
LIGHTING.
Kerosine oil, except in Burma, is pretty generally used for lighting purposes,
and is greatly superior to any vegetable oil and less expensive. Some complaints