Mortality and its causes.
Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
22 m
85
SIND DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Jacobabad .
116.0
3.4
1 . 0
1876
Do.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
117.3
3.4
0.5
1877
Do.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
97.1
4.0
1 . 4
Average......
106.8
3.6
1 . 0
1878
Jacobabad
122.6
4.0
1.5
1. The regiment returned to Jacobabad from Mittri on the 7th April 1878. Since its
return, the head-quarters have not moved from Jacobabad. A
Detachment of 134 sabres proceeded to Quetta as escort to the
Governor General’s Agent in Beluchistan. This Detachment is now in Afghanistan.
2. Food not so plentiful as in former years, and more expensive on account of the so-
called free trade which exists here, which in fact is a monopoly
enjoyed by the Bunniahs, who combine and fix their own prices
on grain. Before the inundation these traders store up grain, and when traffic is prevented
by the floods, they fix their own prices on the stored grain. Vegetables are not plentiful, and
cases of scurvy are not unfrequent, especially in connection with outpost duty. Since my
last report the following improvements have taken place with reference to the sowar’s cloth-
ing. A. new pugrie has been adopted, which contrasts most favourably with that which has
recently been discarded. Warm socks and gloves have been provided regimentally and kept
in store, to be used on emergencies.
3. The usual drills and parades in camp. Outpost duty is only unhealthy on account
of the scarcity of vegetables at somē places, and bad water at
others. The want of gymnastic training of recruits has been
alluded to in previous reports.
4. The hospital now affords ample accommodation, but an additional fireplace is
required for warming the ward in the cold weather, especially
with reference to pneumonia cases, in the treatment of which
a properly warmed room is of paramount importance. The
hospital building requires thorough repair ; at present it looks very untidy on account of the
“ kular”which is constantly rising from the ground and corrodes the lower part of the walls.
This might be remedied by renewing this portion of the walls with burnt brick and mortar.
The floors of the hospital require chunaming.
5. It is an undisputed fact that continued residence at Jacobabad has more or less
d e t e r i o r a t e d
t h e h e a l t ha
n d
p h y s i q u e o f t h e m e n o f t h i s a s w e l l
as those of every other regiment located in Upper Sind. But
I am bound at the same time to state that perfect health is soon regained on marching
out of this unhealthy area. For instance when the regiment camped out at Mettri last year
and was away from the influence of malaria, the men perceptibly gained flesh, weight, and
strength. A reference to returns of that period will show the small amount of sickness
which prevailed. So that I have no hesitation in saying that this regiment is perfectly fit
for active service anywhere. It will be observed that the detachment 2nd Sind Horse at
Quetta is enjoying better health than any other native troops there.
6. The mixed cinchona alkaloid is now being used in every case of malarious Com-
plaint with success, but there are certain severe cases of a
remittent character for which the sulphate of quinine is more
suitable, therefore in my opinion quinine should always be provided to meet such excep-
tional cases. The number of admissions during the year under report was 570 ; of these more
than 50 per cent. were due to fever.
Location and movements.
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercise and amuse-
ments.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings.
general health and physique.
Details of treatment.
7. There were 7 deaths in hospital—4 from pneumonia,
and 1 each from ague, dysentery, and debility.
8. None.
9. Primary vaccinations 6, re-vaccinations 34, successfully.