8
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 29TH AUGUST 1881, No. 4647.
Sickness amongst Officers.—The average annual strength of officers was 382,
and the amount of sickness was at the rate of 751.3 per 1,000. The number inva
-lided to England was at the rate of 104.71, and the mortality 13.09 per mille of
strength.
Women and Children.— The average annual strength of the wives of non
-commissioned officers and soldiers was 962, and of their children 1,782. Exclusive
of child-birth, the admission rate amongst the women was 879.4, and the death
rate 17.67, per 1,000 of strength. Amongst the children, the admission and death
rates were respectively 798.6, and 52.75, per 1,000 of strength. The women suffered
chiefly from diseases of the febrile group, but most of the deaths amongst them
resulted from diseases of the constitutional group. The most prevalent diseases
amongst children were also fevers, but the mortality was chiefly caused by diseases
of the digestive organs and nervous system.
The following is an abstract of a few of the sanitary matters which received
attention during the year :—
BUILDINGS.
Fort St. George, Madras.— The barracks occupied by the Royal Artillery
were reported to be hot, badly ventilated and of insufficient capacity for the
number of occupants. Facts, however, are against these conclusions, as the
men living in these barracks have not hitherto suffered from diseases indicative of
such defects. They have also been healthier than those quartered in the adjoin
-ing spacious Infantry barracks.
Poonamallee.— Barracks for the Invalid Depôt were being erected.
Bangalore.—The Deputy Surgeon-General reported that the Royal Artillery
barracks were too near the bazaar and Ulsoor tank, and that the proximity of the
latter induced ague. These representations were not borne out by the annual
sickness in the corps.
Kamptee.—The unaltered blocks of barracks are said to be very hot and un
-comfortable, but fortunately they were rarely used. The alterations effected in
the reconstructed blocks are regarded as great improvements, except that tiled
roofs are deemed insufficient to secure the necessary protection from the sun. New
cells and a new guard-room were constructed for the Infantry barracks.
Tonghoo.—The present barracks are said to be badly situated for receiving the
full benefit of the wind, but it is understood that new buildings will be erected.
Secunderabad.—A new cell and new guard-room were provided for the Royal
Artillery living in the entrenchment.
WATER SUPPLY.
Attention was again drawn to the highly-objectionable nature of the gather
-ing ground from which the tank that affords the chief water-supply at Bangalore
is fed, but no assertion was made as to any ill effects resulting from the use of
the water. The medical officer in charge of the Infantry corps at Rangoon
reported that, in his opinion, the wells there were not sufficiently protected against
pollution, although certain measures, such as numbering them and providing
covers, had been adopted. He further stated that the wells were badly looked
after and that one was too near a latrine. Reference has already been made to the
suspicious character of a part of the water-supply at Kamptee, and as the purity of
the remainder was deemed doubtful, the propriety of supplying the barracks by
gravitation from a more desirable source was under consideration. Generally
speaking, the reports on the quality of the water supplied to the troops at the
various stations in the Command were favorable.
FOOD AND COOKING.
No change took place in the composition of the soldiers' ration, but at Thay
-etmyo fresh vegetables were scarce, and at one time the supply ceased. No unfa-