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MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE MEDITERRANEAN EXPEDITION.
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2detachmentmedicinechests,weightabout50 lbs.each,which can be carried by a
cooly, for use on board ship and shore, in event of part of aRegiment being
detached for service.
2 chests, Nos. 5 and 6, containing reserve stock of medicines, calculated for a 6 months'
supply, weight about 125 lbs. each, which would require camel or cart transport.
1 splint box.
A list of the contents was pasted inside the lid of each pannier or box.
The Regiment for which each box was intended was legibly painted on the lid.
Each medical officer was instructed to supply himself with a surgical pocket case,
which should be carried in the pouch of his shoulder belt.Instructions weregiven that the
greatest care should be taken not to disturb the authorized arrangement of the contents
of the field medical panniers, and that deficiencies should always bemade good from
the reserve stock.
The Commissary General supplie 3 dozen bottles of limejuice, with proportionate
quantity of sugar (in addition to the quantity supplied as medical comforts)for issue on
board each ship when necessary, on the recommendation of a medical officer.
It may here be remarked that it would have been impossible to have despatched a force
in a more complete and efficient state, as far as medical
Completeness and sufficiency of arrangements were concerned, than the one which left Bombay
equipments and hospital supplies. on the 28th of April.This being the first army of Native
Troops which had proceeded to Europe,I had, previous to starting, received explicit
orders from the Surgeon General to bring to his immediate notice any improvement or defi-
ciencies which future experience might render apparent.. in view towards the detection
thereof, the most watchful observations were being constantly made both by myself and the
medical officers serving under me, but after several months'experience it was unanimously
agreed that, with the exception of some alteration in the sick carriage arrangements, sub-
sequently reported on, no improvement could be suggested in the medical supplies and equip-
ments furnished to the expeditionary force.
On. the morning of the 27th, whilst in the train from Kirkee to Bombay, a native
follower belonging to F-2 Battery was seized with cholera, and
The appearance of cholera be- died in the evening o
f
the same day. During the evening,
fore sailing.
almost immediately after arrival, when under canvas on the
Esplanade, a sergeant was attacked. He was at once sent to the Colaba Hospital, where he
died. On the 28th morning 3 gunners were seized ; they also were sent to hospital, but all
three cases proved rapidly fatal.
On the evening of the 28th April, the immediate embarkation of the men was deter-
mined on by the authorities, both civil and military ; the
Hurried embarkation of Ar-M– 1 embarking on board the ship Maravel, and the F-2 on
tillery.
board the Clydesdale. The total strength on board the former
was—
European Officers
3
Gunners
101
Camp Followers
109
Total
213
The above number embarked on the 28th April, and on the 29th a case of cholera
occurred in a Gunner, who was at once sent on shore; the
Cholera on board the. Transport case proved fatal. The ship sailed on the night of the 29th,
Maravel.
and on the morning of the 2nd May another case- occurred in
a corporal of the battery, who died that same afternoon. During these two days and
throughout the voyage every means were resorted to for improving and preserving the
sanitary condition of the ship, and recommendations bearing on the health of the men were
cordially responded to by the authorities on board.
On the afternoon of the last named date, a seaman of the ship was seized, and died the
following morning. On the 3rd May a gunner was attacked with the disease, but subse–
quently recovered. This was the last case of cholera which occurred, making in all, from
.28th of April to 3rd May, four cases, of which three proved fatal.
There were however during the same period and up to 7th May nine cases of choleraic
diarrhoea reported, all of which recovered under treatment.
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