NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
Medical
Officer.
Hospital,
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
O U D H D I V I S I O N .
6 7
STATION.
PERSENT.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average
number of
sick.
PER CENT. OP STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions. Deaths.
A d m i s -
sions. Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
Head-quarters at Lucknow. 1st Jan. 1878 5th Oct. 1878
635 .89 1,009
8
40.85 158. 67 1. 25
6.42
,,
on the march 6th Oct.
„
31st Dec. „
Depôt at Lucknow
.
. 18th „
„
Ditto
25.2
7
1
6 .
155 .93 22.22 23.83
642 . 8
1,016
9
43.
158.05
1 . 40
6.68
Number of deaths in hospital 9 ; out of hospital 1 ; total 10 ; per cent. of total strength
.
1.40
, , i n v a l i d e d
. . . . . . . . 1 1 ;
„
.
.
1.55
„
sent on sick leave
.
.
.
. . . 9 ;
, ,
,,
.
.
1.26
„
of days spent in hospital 15,695; per admission .
15 . 44; per man of total strength .
.
22.12
,,
,,
on sick leave 1,692; per man .
. 188. ; , ,
.
.
2.38
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
.
24.50
Inspection.—The 6th Bengal Light Infantry was inspected on the 2nd Octo-
ber 1878. At the time of the inspection the regiment was under orders to march
to Cawnpore on their way to the north-western frontier for active service, and
Deputy Surgeon-General Hutchinson speaks with high approval of the indications
which the preparations for the march gave of the careful and intelligent super-
intendence of the Medical Officer. Surgeon-Major Amesbury's narrative of the
march by rail and road from Cawnpore to Ali Musjid is given in full, and is
replete with interest.
Inspection.
6th Regimentm Bengal Cabalry—Sitapur.
I. Medical Officer. —Surgeon G. S. A. Ranking, B.A., M.B., has held medical
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Morar, Feb. 1873.
.
99.1
. 2 3.7
1874
.
D i t t o . . .
118.2
. 8 7 3.11
1875
.
Ditto
.
. .
132.2
. 8 7 3.13
1876
. Sitapur, Feb. 1876
.
104.
. 6 5 3.2
1877
.
D i t t o . . .
72.5
. 4 3 2.5
Average
.
105.2
. 6 0 3.13
1878
. Sitapur
.
.
.
76.9
. 6 7 3.77
charge all the year, Surgeon-
Major Barnard being still
on furlough.
XIV. Hospital.—The sanction-
ed allowance of country blankets
was indented for and supplied;
they add greatly to the comfort
of the sick.
XV Sickness mortality and in-
validing.—Strength of the regi-
ment :—
Present
.
.
. 397.90
Absent
.
.
.
48.23
Total
.
. 446.13
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
O F
Daily
average
number
of sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis- s i o n s . Deaths.
A d m i s i o n s .
Deaths.
D a i l y a v e r a g e s i c k .
Head-quarters, Sitapur
. 1st Jan. 1878 . 31st Dec. 1878
274. 15
198
1
11 .17
72.22 .36
4.07
Detachment, Fyzabad
Ditto
.
Ditto
.
125 . 7
108
...
3.85
85. 91
. . .
3.36
Total
. . .
. . .
397 . 90
306
1
15.02
76.9
.26
3.77
Number of deaths in hospital 1; out of hospital 2; total 3; per cent, of total strength
.
.
.67
invalided .
.
.
.
.
.
.
19;
,,
, ,
.
.
4.26
sent on sick leave
.
.
.
.
.
.
15;
„
, ,
.
.
3.36
of days spent in hospital 5,420; per admission .
17.7; per man of total strength
.
.
12.15
„
on sick leave 434; per man .
.
29 ;
„
„
.
.
.97
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength .
1 3 . 1 2
88
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average number
of sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions. Deaths.
Admis- sions. Deaths.
Daily
average sick.
Head-quarters . . . 1st Jan. 1878 . 31st Dec. 1878 512.71 734
3 16.62 143.16
. 5 8 3.24
Detachment, Peshawar
Ditto . 13th „
196.45 488
2
9.94 261.28
1 . 2 3 5.05
,,
Rawal Pindi .
Ditto . 31st June
103.95 32
1
.62 52.41 1.93
.59
„
Quetta
Ditto . 31st Dec.
111.13 647
3 19.25 582.20 2.69
1 7 . 3 2
„
on Field Service 29th Sept. „
Ditto
„
76.86 263
1
4.73 1328.07 5.04 6.15
Depôt, Roorkee .
21st Oct. „ Ditto ,,
25.72 47 ...
1.07 926.34 ...
4.16
TOTAL .
. . .
. . .
1026.82 2,211
10 52.23 215.32 .97 5.08
Number of deaths in hospital 10; out of hospital 3; total
13; per cent, of total strength . . 1.14
„ invalided
27; „
, , . 2.37
,, sent on sick leave . . . . . .
14; „
, , . 1.23
„ of days spent in hospital 19,215; per admission .
8.69; per man of total strength. . 1 6 . 8 9
,,
on sick leave 1,815 ; per man
. 129.64; „
, ,
. 1.59
Total temporary lossof service per man of total strength
. . 18.48
Inspection.
Inspection. —The regiment was not inspected owing to its sudden and early
departure on active service in October 1878.
ROHILCUND DIVISION.
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF BAREILLY, MORADABAD, SHAHJEHANPUR AND ALMORA).
Average daily strength present during the year. .
. Cavalry 386.76 Infantry 1951.71
Average daily sick per cent. of average strength . . . ,,
3.01
3.30
Ratio of mortality per cent. of average strength . .
. ,,
.65 ,,
2.33
18th Regiment, Bengal—Cabalry—Bareilly
Medical
Officers.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology
and climate.
I. Medical Officers. —Surgeon-Major G. Griffith has held medical charge
of the head-quarters of the
regiment throughout the
year, and writes the sanitary
report.
II. Location and movements.—
The head-quarters of the regi-
ment was at Bareilly from 1st
January to 22nd October, march-
ing on Umballa from. 23rd Octo-
ber to .18th November, and at
Umballa, from 19th November to
31st December 1878. A detach-
meat of 50 sabres was stationed
at Moradabad from 1st January
to 26th October, and on 27th
October joined head-quarters and
marched with the regiment to Umballa. This detachment was relieved as usual every three m o n t h s .
IV. Meteorology and climate. —The average annual rainfall at Bareilly is about 40 inches ;
but this year before we left, no less than 65.6 inches fell, and the greater portion of this during
July and August. On the 8th of July no less than 14 inches fell in one day, doing great
damage to the lines. On the 20th August nearly 3 inches fell in a few hours, and remind-
ed me very much of the rainfall at Cherrapoonjee and Sylhet. The highest temperature was
recorded in June, and the lowest at Bareilly in January.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT, OF STRENGTH
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873 . Allahabad, Mar. 1873 .
133.1
.68
4.75
1874
Ditto
. . .
152.5
.44
5.52
1875 . Ditto
. .
.
85.1
.22
3.03
1876 . Ditto
. .
54.4
.21
1.45
1877 . Bareilly, Jan. 1877
.
28.88
1.31
1.72
Average .
90.79
.57
3.29
1878 . Barcilly
. . . .
75.49
.65
3.01
V. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment :—
Present
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
. 411.76
Absent
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
50.36
Total
.
. 462.12
Sickness,
mortality and
130
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
Thull, where the regiment was for some time before the advance was made, the men suffered
greatly from fever and dysentery.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment:—
Present .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 632.3
Absent .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
8 1 .
Total
.
. 713.3
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average
number
of sick.
PER CENT OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions Deaths.
Admis-
sions. Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
Head-quarters, on field ser-,
vice (Jowaki expedition)
at Talagang, and on ser-
vice in Afghanistan.
1st Jan. 1878 31st Dec. 1878 517.26
811
5
14.34 156.78
.96
2.79
Detach ment at Talagang .
Ditto
. 12th Mar. „
98.63
6
...
1.51 31.23 ...
1.53
,,
Koshalgarh . 2nd Feb. „
7th
,,
, ,
109.65
3
...
3.28
29.31
. . .
2.92
Attock
. 27th June „
25th Oct. „
161.46
80
. . .
4.80 149.30 ...
2.97
,,,
Kohat
. 11th Oct. „
31st Dec. „
22.55
19
2
10.04 373.94 39.43 14.52
„
Koorum
. 28th Nov. „
18th „
„
81.71
10
2
29.80 131.29 26.18 36.47
Depôt at Talagang
.
. 27th Sep. „
31st „
„
81.22
62
...
6.25 290.21 ...
7.69
TOTAL
•
...
...
632.3
991
9
25.97 156.72 1.42 4.01
Number of deaths in hospital 9; out of hospital 9 ; total
18; per cent, of total strength .
.
2.84
,,
invalided
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
16;
„
. .
2.24
,,
sent on sick leave .
.
.
.
.
.
.
6;
„
.
.
. . 84
,,
of days spent in hospital 9,482; per admission
. 8.39; per man of total strength .
. 13.29
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength .
. 13.29
Inspection.
Note. —There was no inspection of this regiment during the year.
Medical
Officer.
Location and
movements.
Duty and
employment.
PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
( INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF PESHAWAR, NOWSHERA AND THE DOABA OUTPOSTS.)
Average daily strength present during the year
. . . Cavalry 1186.95 Infantry 3176.79
Average daily sick per cent, of average strength .
.
.
,,
4.50
,,
5.67
Ratio of mortality per cent. of average strength
. . .
, ,
2.67
,,
5.53
14th Regiment, Bengal Lanccrs—Peshawar.
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon-Major Sutherland was in medical charge
of the regiment from 1st
January to 31st December
1878.
11. Location and movements.
— T h e h e a d - q u a r t e r s r e m a i n e d a t
Peshawar throughout the year
and furnished the usual detach-
ments to the out-posts at Shub-
kudder. Michnee. &c.
XI. Duty and employment.
— D u t y w a s e x c e s s i v e d u r i n g t h e
latter part of the year, owing to
the withdrawal of other troops
to the Jowaki expedition and the
prevalence of malarious fevers.
Nights in bed ranged from 1 in 2
to 4 in 5.
YEAR
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Deolee, Dec. 1869
.
170.4
. 8
6.2
1874
. Rawal Pindi, Jan. 1874
117.16
1.1
1 . 1
1875
.
Ditto
76.85
.87
2.45
1876
.
Ditto
78.01
.26
2.12
1877
. Peshawar, Jan. 1877 .
101.68
.21
2.19
Average
.
108.82
.65
3.47
1878
. Peshawar
.
.
202.06
1.94
4.02
Location.
Water-supply.
Duty.
PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
139
22nd (punjab) Regiment, Native Infantry-Peshwar.
I. Medical Officers. —Surgeon B. Doyle, M.B., has written the report
although he was not in medi-
cal charge until 15th Janu-
ary 1879.
II. Location.—The bead-
quarters were at Peshawar
throughout the year, with
detachments at the Doaba
outposts.
VIII Water-supply.— No change
since last report. The filter re-
ferred to in last report appears
to be well looked after, and the
men availed themselves of the fil-
tered water.
XI. Duty.—Average number
of nights in bed for the year 3.58,
always heavy in Peshawar.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1873
. Jhelum, April 1872
.
99.
.7
2.8
1874
.
Ditto .
. . .
66.6
.58
2.1
1875
Ditto .
.
.
.
86.53
.43
2.27
1876
.
Ditto .
. . .
159.99
1.3
3.9
1877
. Peshawar, January 1877
200.04
1.71
5.20
Average
.
.
122.43
.94
3.25
1878
. Peshawar
.
.
.
271.34
2.15
7.86
Medical
Officers.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment :—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
614.71
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
83.57
Total
.
698.28
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average
number of
sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis- sions. Deaths.
Admis- sions. Deaths.
Daily
average sick.
Head-quarters at Peshawar
and in camp Shergashi.
1st Jan. 1878 31st Dec. 1878
462.72 1,166
13
40.47 251 . 97 2. 80
8.74
Detachment at Peshawar
. 20th Feb. „
4th March „
208.06
9
. . .
23.35 121.3
...
11.22
„
Mackeson
1st
„
„
26th April „
51.15
9
...
.58
55.34
. . .
1.11
10th Aug. „
26th Sep. „
32
34
. . .
4.20 825.13
...
13.12
,,
Shergashi
. 1st Jan.
„
29th Jan. „
178.77
21
...
2.05 147.88
. . .
1.15
, , A b a z a i a n d
Zindhi.
8th Mar.
„
30th Mar. „
153.50
7
...
1.35
72.37 ...
.81
13th Nov. ,,
31st Dec. ,,
121
33
...
3.69 203.13
. . .
3.05
,, Michnee .
25th April „
4th July
„
13th Nov. „
4th June
„
8th Aug.
„
25th Dec. „
89
89
89
13
30
49
...
...
...
1.84
1.97
6.80
126.9
341.68
476.83
. . .
. . .
. . .
2.07
2.21
7.64
, , S h u b k u d d u r
4th July
„
19th Aug. „
90
23
...
2.40 198 . 42
. . .
2.67
13th Nov. „
29th Dec. „
90.36
55
...
3.55 472.61
...
30.44
, , C h e r a t
. 20th Aug. „
28th Sep. „
116
12
. . .
1.83
96.77
...
1.58
,,
Jumrood
. 4th Oct.
„
12th Nov. „
230.88
207
...
28.81 818.05
. . .
12.48
TOTAL
.
. . .
...
614.71 1,668
13
48.37 271. 34 2.11
7.86
Number of deaths in hospital 13; out of hospital 2; total
15; per cent. of total strength
.
2.15
, ,
invalided
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
13;
„
„ . .
1.86
, ,
sent on sick leave
•
•
•
•
•
•
33;
, , , , . .
4.73
, ,
of days spent in hospital 17,654; per admission
.
10.58; per man of total strength
.
25.28
, ,
,, on sick leave 4,584; per man
.
1.38;
„
,,
.
.
6.30
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
.
31.58
Principal
c a u s e s o f s i c k n e s s .
XVI. Principal causes of sickness. —Malarial fevers, with the conditions resulting from
them, such as anæmia and hypertrophy of the spleen; bowel complaints, especially dysentery
and diarrhœa, which appear to be intimately connected with Peshawar fever ; and chest affec-
tions, formed the principal causes of sickness.
2. Do 3rd/,, Sikhs
3 Cook House
4.Separate Ward
5 Dead House.
6.Latrine. 7 Kahar Lines.
1. a Hospital v/,,Assts. Quarters removed.
6. a Latrine removed.
7. a Kahar Lines removed.
1 3 . . A r o u n d p a l n o f H o s p i t a l R a v e l i n .
F o r t D u l e e p G a r h
E d w a r d e s a b a d .
172
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding
again quite clear and free from sediment. Washing is carried on chiefly in the station tanks,
bathing more in the vicinity of, the wells, but in such a manner as to avoid, all pollution of
the well-water.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
640.75
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
83.56
Total
.
.
724.31.
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength,
TOTAL OF NUMBER
Daily
average
number of
sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
A d m i s i
s i o n s . Deaths.
Admis- s i o n s . Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
Head-quarters at Edwardes-
bad
. 1st Jan. 1878 5th Mar. 1878
581.75 1,323
13
37.88 227.41 2.23 6.51
, ,
Dera Ismail
Khan
. 6th Mar. „ 15th Oct. ,,
, ,
Dera Ghazi
Khan . 16th Oct. „ 31st Dec. „
Detachment at Bahadur
Kheyl . 1st Jan. „ 4th Mar. „
60.
3
...
.18 28.96 ...
. 3 0
, ,
Zam
.
3rd Mar. „ 6th June „
33
.
12
...
56 82.94 ...
1.70
5th Aug. „ 7th Oct.
„
, ,
Girni .
. 3rd Mar. „ 11th „ „
34.
12
1
.44 58.00 4.82 1.30
, ,
Draband . 1st June „ 9th Aug. „
22.
5
...
.42 118. 50 ...
2'
, ,
Dera Ismail
Khan . 16th Oct. „ 31st „
„
33.58
7
1
.73 98.78 13.79
2.17
TOTAL
.
.
. . .
...
640.75 1,362
15
38.79 212. 56 2 . 34 6.05
Number of deaths in hospital 15; out of hospital 7; total .
22; per cent. of total strength .
. 3.04
, , invalided .
.
.
.
.
. .
24;
, ,
, , .
. 3 . 31
, , sent on sick leave .
.
.
.
.
.
25;
,
, , .
. 3.45
, , of days spent in hospital 14,147 ; per admission.
10.4; per man of total strength, .
. 19.53
, ,
,,
on sick leave 2,266; per man
.
90.64;
„
, ,
.
•
3.12
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
. 22.65
Principal
causes of
sickness.
XIV. Principal caues of sickness. —The health of the regiment contrasts most unfavour-
ably with the two preceding years, as will be seen from the annexed tabular statement:—
YEARS.
ADMISSIONS.
T o t a l
A g u e .
D y s e n t r y .
D i a r r h œ a
B r o c h i a l c a t t a r h .
B r o n c h i t i s .
P n e m o n i a .
A b s c e s s .
U l c e r .
B o i l .
B l i s t e r o f f e e t .
1876
.
.
.
.
.
.
890
568
35
12
12
26
5
33
24
6
4
1877
.
.
.
.
.
.
651
350
30
17
18
14
2
19
17
16
13
1878
.
. .
.
.
. 1,362
938
61
14
12
46
12
17
23
25
25
From the above it will be seen that under all headings almost there is a large increase,
more especially under ague, bronchial and pulmonic diseases. The large increase in the
number of fever cases was, I think I may say, the rule on the frontier during the year,
due probably to a considerable extent to the increased rainfall. The increase in the number of
chest affections may, I am of opinion, be entirely attributed to the very unfavourable conditions
to which the regiment was subject while encamped at Dera Ghazi Khan. The increase in the
number of dysentery cases may also. be attributed to the same causes.
Table No. III
Showing the Age of the Sepoys of the Native Army and the death-rate according to Age.
UNDER 20.
20 TO 24.
25 TO 20.
30 TO 34.
35 TO 39.
40 AND UPWARDS.
TOTAL.
Strength.
DIED.
Strength.
DIED.
Strength.
DIED.
Strength.
DIED.
Strength.
DIED.
Strength.
DIED.
Strength.
DIED.
In. Out.
In. Out.
In. Out.
In. Out.
In. Out.
In. Out.
In. Out.
Artillery . . .
. . .
. .
.
. . .
34
1 ...
139
... ...
141
...
1
84
1
1
52
...
1
111
4
2
561
6
5
Per cent.
. . .
6.06
2.94
24.78
...
25.13
.71
14.97
2.38
9.27
1.92
19.79
5.40
100
1.96
Cavalry ...
. . .
. . .
...
1,339
7
3
2,396
29 114
2,551
23 14
2,157
21
9
1,808
14
9
1,983
35
2 4
12,234
129 73
Per cent.
. . .
10.94
.74
19.58
1 . 7 9
20.85
1.45
17.63
1.39
14.78
1.27
16.20
2.97
100
1 . 6 5
Infantry . . .
...
. . .
...
5,453
72 16
11,060 215 90
11,170 223 105
9,639 196 97
6,599 129 36
4,266 109 33
48,187
944 377
Per cent
...
11.31
1.61
22.95
2.74
23.18
2.93
2 0 .
3.04
13.70
2.50
8.85
3.30
100
2.74
TOTAL
. . .
6,826
80 19
13,595 244 104
13,862 246 120
11,880 218 107
8,459 143 46
6,360 148 59
60,982 1,079 455
Per cent.
...
11.19
1.45
22.29
2.56
22.73
2.64
19.50
2.73
13.87
2.23
10.42
3.25
100
2.51
Regular Army
...
...
. . .
4,916
59 10
9,940 188 73
9,950 193
8 0
8,899 159 86
6,115 102 32
4,211
94 30
44,033
795 311
Per cent.
. . .
11.16
1.40
22.58
2.62
22.60
2.74
20 21
2.75
13.89
2.18
9.56
2.94
100
2.58
Central India Force
. . .
. . .
...
494
1
3
1,021
13
2
1,102
12
5
994
15
4
1,019
9
8
998
19 11
5,628
69 33
Per cent.
. . .
8.78
.81
18.14
1 . 4 7
19.58
1.54
17.66
1.91
18.11
1.66
17.73
3
100
1.81
Punjab Frontier Force
...
...
1,416
20
6
2,634
43 29
2,810 41 35
1,987
44 17
1,325
32
6
1,151
35 118
11,323
215 111
Per cent.
...
12.51
1.83
23.26
2.72
24.82
2.70
17.55
3.07
11.70
2.86
10.16
4.60
100
2.86
TOTAL
. . .
6,826
80 19
13,595 244 104
13,862 246 120
11,880 218 107
8,459 143 46
6,360 148 59
60,982 1,079 455
Per cent.
. . .
11.19
1.45
22.29
2.56
22.73
2.64
19.50
2.73
13.87
2.23
10.42
3 . 2 5
100
2.51
A. ETESON, M. D.,
Indian Medical Department.
M E D I C A L A N D S A N I T A R Y R E P O R T O V E A R M O F B E N G S L .
195
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT
OF THE
NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL
FOR THE YEAR
1878.
FRAMED ON THE WEEKLY AND ANNUAL RETURNS, ON THE REPORTS OF REGIMENTAL
MEDICAL OFFICERS, AND ON THE INSPECTION REPORTS OF
DEPUTY SURGEONS-GENERAL.
WITH STATISTICAL TABLES.
Compiled in the Office of the Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Service.
CALCUTTA:
OFFI CE OF THE SUPERI NTENDENT OF GOVERNMENT PRI NTI NG.
1880.
AN INQUIRY
INTO THE
CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING AN OUTBREAK OF CHOLERA
IN
H. M.'s 18TΗ HUSSARS AT SECUNDERABAD
IN THE MONTH OF MAY 1871.
1. On the night of the 24th May 1871 a very virulent, and apparently, local
outburst of epidemic cholera appeared in H. M.'s 18th
Hussars, inhabiting the old and condemned Infantry Barracks
at Secunderabad.
2. Within twenty-six hours of the first symptom of cholera showing itself,
there were struck down thirty-four men and one child, out of a
Summary of attacks.
strength or 385 men, 5b women, and 108 children, and
while the epidemic lasted (i.e., ten days, or until the 3rd of June) a total of eighty-
five persons were attacked, and of this number thirty-nine died. Of the total of
eighty-five attacks, sixty-three occurred during the first three days of the outbreak.
On the fourth day, the admissions had decreased to five ; on the fifth day, they
rose again to ten ; but on the sixth and seventh days of the outbreak, the
admissions had dwindled to three per diem. On the eight and ninth days
no new cases occurred, but on the tenth day there was a single case.
3. While this terrible visitation was affecting the 18th Hussars, the two
Outbreak limited, so as far as European Co r p s Infantry Regiments and Artillery at Trimulgherry,
were concered, to the and the numerous European families in the cantonment, never
18th Hussars.
had
a
single
The inhabitants of the bazaar, Native
Infantry Lines, and surrounding villages suffered slightly, but in no degree in
proportion to the Hussars, upon which corps the disease fastened with a strange
malignancy.
4. An outbreak of such magnitude, happening at a time when the Hyderabad
country and the Central Provinces were practically free of cholera, would natu-
rally attract much attention. With the approval of the Right Honourable the
Governor of Madras and His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief, I proceeded,
as soon as practicable, to the locality, with the view of ascertaining the facts
in regard to the circumstances under which cholera assumed such virulence
in a comparatively circumscribed locality.
5. At the date of my arrival at Secunderabad on the 22nd June, the disease
had finally left the Hussars, and the Regiment returned from camp to their
barracks on the morning of 23rd, the chief sick in hospital at that time being
convalescents from cholera. I was engaged at Secunderabad on this inquiry,
and in a sanitary inspection of the Military buildings and water-supply projects
at Trimulgherry until the 6th July,
6. I may be permitted here to express my acknowledgments to Colonel
Knox, O.B., commanding the station, and the officers of his staff, Military and
1
4
cleaned and limewashed. Communicated with the Cantonment Magistrate on
the above subject, and made an appointment to meet him to-morrow morning,
for the purpose of considering what arrangements should be adopted in the
event of cholera making its appearance.
" Pills have, in the meantime, been supplied for distribution to the Police
Stations."
18. This extract from Dr. Barclay's diary will show most clearly
that the attention of the cantonment authorities had been directed to the
presence of a fatal form of diarrhœa, suspiciously resembling cholera, as early
as the 20th May. The annexed extract from the cantonment register of deaths
will show the dates of the fatal " diarrhoea " cases in the bazaar :—
Deaths from Diarrhoea,·
Secunderabad
Cantonment ...
1
...
2
...
3
1
4
1
5
1
6
1
7 8 9
...
10
MAY 1871.
11 12 13 14 15 16 I7 18 19
1
20
4
21
...
22
1
23
...
24
...
From personal inquiry made of the Dispensary Hospital Assistant, who saw
the three travellers on the 20th May, I have no doubt whatever that they were
labouring under malignant cholera. One man had already died, and two were
in a condition of fatal collapse when the Hospital Assistant saw them. The
history of the remainder of the Banyas is not obtainable. It is supposed that
they left the bazaar after the death of their comrades.
Information of the
movement of cholera
furnished
by Sani-
tary Commissioner to
the heads of the Medical
¡Department.
25th May.
31st May
19. For the last eighteen months my office has furnished to the heads of
the British and Indian Medical Departments a daily report
of all cholera deaths notified by the Police throughout the
Madras Presidency, and the fact of the outbreak of cholera
in the Nundigama Talook of the Kistna District, which is
traversed by the main road from Hyderabad to the Eastern Coast, was
brought under the observation of the heads of the Medical
Department, in the daily memoranda furnished on the dates
as per margin.
20. The object in sending these daily memoranda of cholera deaths was
that the heads of the Medical Department might be in a position to warn their
administrative and executive officers of the probable movement of cholera, so as
to be prepared for outbreaks, when cholera might be advancing in the direction
of Military Stations. Owing to the dilatory proceedings of the police, the
report of deaths from cholera at Juggiapett on the 8th May and following dates,
only reached my office on the 25th May, or after the disease had become
established in Secunderabad, consequently 110 warning could be given to the
Military Authorities there of the impending danger.
21. With our existing knowledge of the laws regarding the development of
cholera, it is not practicable to foretell, with accuracy, what particular line
of country an epidemic movement may take. My attention has hitherto been
chiefly taken up in tracing the course of the great invading waves that come
down to us from the north, and the oscillation or backward flow of a cholera wave,