man was under treatment for syphilitic ulceration of the tonsils; inflammation extended
to the larynx, and he died suddenly from œdema glottidis. One man died suddenly of apoplexy
when under treatment in hospital for inflammation of glands. Two men died of pneumonia ;
one in the right wing on the march near Quetta, the other in the depôt hospital, Sialkot. One
man died of hepatitis in the regimental hospital, Sialkot.
XVIII. Epidemics. —No epidemic diseases occurred during the year.
Epidemics.
XIX. Vaccination. —All recruits were inspected on enlistment ; all were found protected,
either by vaccination or previous small-pox. All children of camp-followers were vaccinated.
XX. Recommendations. —Medical inspection parades were recommended and carried out, when
I became aware of the prevalence of venereal disease in the regiment. When a few cases of
small-pox occurred throughout the station, I recommended daily inspections of followers' families.
This was carried out. In December I recommended the issue of rum to the men on account
of the hard work they had to perform with a large convoy of ammunition. Other recommenda-
tions were made in personal consultation with the Commanding Officer and have not been record-
ed. Recommended that lascar pals, at the rate of 4 per company, should be substituted for the
present double half-company pals as being better suited for field service and especially bill
warfare. Small detachments and escorts are often sent out. A havildar's party cannot take
a half pal without depriving the party going out, and that remaining of the full protection
of a tent, as one end of each half pal remains open, and in hill warfare it is often impossible
to find space to pitch a full half-company pal. This was returned for re-submission on return
to quarters.
Vaccination.
Recommenda-
tions.
XXI. Special observations and remarks. —The fevers of the year were for the most part of a
mild uncomplicated character. On the route to Mooltan the heat was excessive, and in several
cases there was congestion of the brain. The men, who had gone on furlough to the district
about the Sutlej where ague was prevalent and severe, returned much shattered with fever and
materially increased the sick rate in October and November. The right wing which advanced
through the Bolan Pass in December insufficiently clothed, suffered much from respiratory and
enteric diseases. My narrative of the march to Kandahar, now in preparation, will contain more
detailed observations on the health of the regiment and other cognate matters.
Special obser-
vations and
remarks.
Note.—There was no inspection of this regiment.
Inspection.
29th (Punjab) Regiment, Natibe Infantry—Calagang.
I. _Medical Officers. —The regiment has been under several medical officers
at different times through-
out the year :—Surgeons-
Major T. P. Wright and
J. E. T. Aitchison, Surgeons
J. Lewtas, M.B., W. Jackson
and Robert Moodie, M.B.
The latter officer writes the
re port.
II. Location and movements. —
On field service, Jowaki expedi-
tion, from 1st January to 6th
March. On 6th March the regi-
ment marched for Talagang, arriv-
ing on 12th March. It remained
there till 27th September, when
it marched to join the Koorum
Field Force, arriving in Kohat on 7th October. The regiment crossed the frontier with General
Roberts' column, took part in the actions at the Peiwar Kotul, and was on field service during
remainder of the year.
X. Clothing.—The clothing of the men was good and suitable. Every man had a posh-
teen and a choga, which enabled the men to withstand the very severe cold on service without
suffering so much from it as some other regiments.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT, OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Peshawar, Feb. 1873 .
277.2
1.8
5.5
1874
. Ditto .
.
.
.
237.1
1.
5.4
1875
. Ditto .
.
.
.
236.33
1.42
4.97
1876
. Talagang, March 1876 .
126.59
.15
2.63
1877
. Ditto .
.
.
.
55.49
.56
1.20
Average
. .
186.54
.98
3.94
1878
. Talagang; and on active
service in Afghanistan
156.72
2.84
4.01
Medical
Officers.
location anti
movements.
Clothing.
XI. Duty.—In Talagang the duty was extremely light on service it was or a more
trying nature; but I am not aware that it was ever excessive unless during the few days preced-
ing the storming of the Peiwar Kotul. Considering how long the regiment was on service, the
number of admissions for blistered feet is creditably low, being 47 in all.
XVII Principal causes of mortality. —There were in all 14 deaths during the year, of
whom 5 were killed in action at the Peiwar Kotul and 2 died at Koorum of wounds received
in action. Two men died of ague ( a), 1 of ague (b), 1 of hydrophobia, 1 of pneumonia,
1 of dysentery, and 1 of ostitis. The regiment when I joined it at Talagang was exceedingly
healthy, the hospital being nearly empty, and it marched for the Afghan War in a very efficient
state. As I before stated, the detachment from Attock joined at Gumbat in a drenched con-
dition, and few if any of the men of the bead-quarters succeeded in keeping dry on that
occasion. As a consequence, partly of this and partly of the unhealthy nature of Kohat and
Duty.
Principal
causes of
mortality.