NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
67
5. The ordinary articles of food, such as the native soldiery require, are dearer in
Baroda than in Bombay, where the
regiment was previously
stationed, and their quality is stated to be inferior. The
average grain compensation to fighting men for the past year has been a few pies less than
Rs. 4 per month. Vegetables are said to have been dear and very scarce in the hot weather,
but from enquiries I have lately made in the bazaar, they appear to be now both abundant
and cheap; and following my usual custom, I have done my best to impress upon the men
the importance of eating fresh vegetables whenever they can be procured, and also of vary-
ing their usually monotonous diet more than, when not prompted on the subject, they are
disposed to do.
6. The duties of a regiment stationed at Baroda are comparatively light, the guards
being but few; the ordinary parades have of course been held
as usual; and during a portion of the year the men were busily
employed in carrying out the repairs and improvements of the
lines they now occupy; the duties performed do not appear to have had any prejudicial effect
on the health of the regiment. Since the regiment has been at Baroda, the talim-khana, a
time-honoured regimental institution which had been discontinued in Bombay for want of
leisure, has been re-instituted.
7. The hospital used by the regiment is the same as reported on last year; it is a fairly
suitable building affording sufficient accommodation without
overcrowding for about 24 men inside, and 12 or more in the
verandah. The roof is out of repair, and the floor (formed of
red bricks set edge-ways) is very uneven and difficult (indeed,
almost dangerous) to walk upon. I brought the latter to the notice of the Major-General
Commanding the Northern Division at his recent inspection of the hospital, and I have hopes
that the expenditure necessary for its repair will be sanctioned. The hospital is clean and
well ventilated; it is not surrounded by any compound, but its immediate vicinity is in a
good sanitary condition. The village of Gowleepoora (within a few yards of the hospital)
was found objectionable from the number of cattle kept there, the tom-tomming at night,
&c., and on a representation to that effect being made to the agent to the Governor General,
it was ordered to be cleared of its inhabitants; this is a great boon to any man seriously
sick in hospital, a quiet night being (under the old system) out of the question during any
native holidays or on other festive occasions. In my report for last year I stated that the
quarters for medical subordinates were very inferior; I should have said that there were
absolutely none, for the quarters at present standing are I believe only intended for the
second class servants; and I am therefore obliged to permit the medical subordinates to
occupy two of the four corner rooms of the hospital, which ought properly to be retained as
isolation wards for ophthalmic cases, &c. Application has been made for hutting-allowance
for the one Hospital Assistant at present attached to the regiment. I hear that the regulation
allowance (90 rupees) has been sanctioned, and that the subordinate in question will be
accommodated with quarters before the hot weather. For latrine accommodation, the
inmates of the hospital are permitted to use a portion of one of the permanent latrines which
is partitioned off for their use: this is kept in a good sanitary condition by the hospital
sweepers. The hospital has no bathing room, or dead-house.
8. The general health of the regiment may now (at the beginning of the year 1879)
be pronounced good; it is true that some of the men show
traces of a scorbutic tendency, but I question very much
whether a native regiment is ever (except perhaps after some months' active service, when
they have been drawing Government rations) entirely free from the disease, as there is
always a certain proportion of men who from motives of economy habitually under-feed
themselves, in order to provide for the daily wants of their families; and of course when high
prices prevail the temptation to do so is increased, the higher rate of grain compensation
given at such times being calculated on the daily requirements of one man only, and not on
those of a family. Speaking generally however I am of opinion that the regiment is quite
as fit for active service as any corps in the Bombay army, while as regards physique, owing
to the great care taken in recruiting of late years, and in weeding out old and useless men,
I think there can be little doubt that the regiment is in that respect superior to most
others.
9. The total admissions into hospital were 1,050, and the average daily number of sick
(for the whole year) 22.5. The highest monthly average daily
sick was 37.2 (in October) and the lowest 12.2 (in June). Of
the total admissions 458 were due to malarial fever, of which 6 only were registered as
"remittent." The admissions for ague were very numerous during the last four months of
the year, amounting to 329 for that period; but the cases do not appear to have been very
severe in type, as the average daily sick for the same period was only 27.9, the men, for
Food.
Duties, exercise and amuse-
ments; their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings; present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.
Details of treated.