MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 8TH SEPTEMBER 1879, No. 5000.
Table B shows the influence of the different classes of disease on the admissions,
mortality and invaliding, the ratios of the two years 1877-78 being contrasted in
adjacent columns.
SUMMARY OF THE PREVAILING DISEASES.
Febrile Group .—Compared with 1877 this group shows an increase both in
admissions and deaths ; in the former equal to 138.23 per mille, in the latter equal
to 1.52 per mille. The increased admission ratio was due to a greater prevalence
of ague, simple continued and remittent fevers.
Eruptive fevers. Small-pox, although prevalent among the native commu
-nity, caused but ten admissions and four deaths. In previous year there were
five cases, all of which recovered. The disease in 1878 was confined to the troops
at Kamptee. All the men attacked bore satisfactory marks of vaccination. One
had marks of small-pox. In one case which terminated fatally the man had one
distinct vaccination mark. He was re-vaccinated on 10th April 1878, attacked
with small-pox on 18th, and died on 24th April, the re-vaccination having pro
-duced two perfect vesicles.
Continued Fevers, under which head are comprised ardent or heat fever,
simple or non-specific continued fever, and febricula, were greatly in excess as
compared with the previous year ; the admission ratio for the two years being
177.76 and 130.72 per mille respectively. The death-rate, 1.10 per mille, shows
an increase of 1.01. Twelve deaths were recorded against one in 1877. All were
returned as simple continued fever. Continued fevers show an increase in all
circles as compared with 1877. In the Presidency Circle the increase amounts to
73.93 per mille, and was chiefly due to the prevalence of these fevers in the 2/13th
Regiment, Bellary. The increase in the Mysore Circle is slight ; in the Hyderabad
Circle it was decided, and was confined to Secunderabad. In the Burmah Circle
the increase was restricted chiefly to Rangoon and Thyetmyo. At Bellary the pre
-valence of these and other forms of fever in 2/13th Regiment was attributed to the
following causes, viz. :—
(a.) Previous attacks of fever at Malta, the debility resulting therefrom
predisposing to further attacks.
(b.) Arrival of the regiment in India at the commencement of the hot
season.
(c.) The heavy rain-fall at Bellary in 1878 and malarious nature of the
soil at that station.
(d.) Want of care on the part of the men to avoid chills.
(e.) The very large proportion of young soldiers composing the regiment,
mere lads, growing and unformed, wanting in stamina and vital
energy necessary to enable them to resist depressing influences.
Concerning the cases which occurred at Secunderabad the Principal
Medical Officer of the Circle remarks : "The distinction drawn
between 'febricula' and 'simple continued fever' is very indefinite
and differs much in different reports. As a rule, the class 'febricula'
is limited to short febrile attacks, not exceeding three or at most
four days. 'Simple continued fever' included apparently many
forms of fever. In all the fatal cases the lesions of Peyer's patches
with ulceration of the mucous membrane of the ileum was found.
These cases of fever were no doubt some of malarious origin ; others
from exposure to the sun, and the majority were not severe. At
Rangoon it is remarked in connection with the cases recorded in
89th Regiment 'most of the cases of simple continued fever were
attributable to exposure to the sun ; the men heedlessly knock about
barracks during the heat of the day.' "
Paroxysmal Fevers (ague and remittent fever) were more prevalent than in
1877, the admission ratio for the respective years being 162.41 and 70.26 per mille.
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