30
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
2. The lines consist for the most part of open barrack rooms with a cookhouse and
The lines and their surround-
ings, present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.
latrine at the back of each. Number of blocks of pendals 8.
Aspect S. W., central street 180 feet broad, side street 50 feet.
Height of plinth unequal, even in the same pendal, by nature
of the ground. Roof is composed of rafters, bamboos, whole
and split, date matting, and mud daubing.
3. There are eight latrines to the rear of the lines. From companies A and B they are
Conservancy.
respectively 145 and 275 feet off. Distance from other com-
panies 226 and 406 feet. The filth is carried away by bhungees
to a distance of about 1½ miles. There are receptacles for bathing water, which are emptied
into the filth cart. There are bathing places in the huts of married men. The conservancy
of the lines is daily attended to by a Native officer, and is inspected once by a European
officer. There are eight sweepers, paid partly by Government, and one filth cart. The Go--
vernment allow for the sweepers 48 Rupees, and grain compensation as for public followers
is paid to each. The Regimental cess is half an anna per mensem for each man, fighting men,
and followers. The cart driver is allowed a filth cart, but he supplies bullocks and other
necessaries. His pay is 22 Rupees monthly, without compensation for dearness of grain.
4. The water supply is abundant, by underground stream. No analysis known.
Water supply.
Water is drawn by hand with leathern buckets or jars of earth
or metal; distribution is by mussuck or puckal. The well is
open, and percolation, lateral, without doubt takes place from waste of waters of bathers and
surface drainage during the rain.
5. The clothing is good and sufficient for rains and cold weather, but during the hot
weather there should be some regulation permitting of loose white clothing being worn, and
that those employed as orderlies be not required to carry coat or pouch (cartouche box).
The food is from a large market, so the men have an ample choice for variety and price.
6. The health of the Regiment has been fair; the men are over the average in physique,
General health and physique.
but as a rule the pay is insufficient, for those who have families,
to provide them with a proper amount of nutritive food.
Ailments commonly the result of' under feeding are frequent amongst the men, who often crowd
the hospital. To maintain the physique and proper strength of the men, it is necessary they
should consume a certain quantity of wholesome food. To ensure this, a number of caste
messes should be maintained for the unmarried men.
7. The climate here is so different to that of the Deccan, that of course the men will
Influence of climate or local
circumstances.
suffer somewhat from chills by the damp moist atmosphere of the
sea. There has been in 1878 a large fall of rain for Sind, and
therefore sooner or later there is sure to be an epidemic of
fever or cholera. From what I can learn, the water here is less brackish, and wells more
numerous. The increase of water has produced more malaria, as is also the case in
Bombay, Poona and other native towns into which water has been introduced, and to me the
solution of the problem is obvious, because there is no drainage system to carry off waste
water. 629 cases of ague are entered as having been treated during the year, against 553
in 1877 and 779 in 1876. There were 13 cases of rheumatism. Syphilis is not a fruitful
source of disease, thanks to Government for starting the lock hospitals, which if worked
properly ought to reduce that disease to a minimum. During the year under review there
have been 12 cases of syphilis and 4 of gonorrhœa, 16 out of a strength of 686. Blisters of
the feet 32. These generally arise from ill fitting boots or careless management, whereby
the leather becomes hard and loses the pliability proper to it. In conclusion I would remark
that I joined the Regiment on the 14th November 1878, and came with it to Kurrachee.
Also that the establishment consisted of no 1st or 2nd Class Hospital Assistants or old
hands, even the goorgah was changed before my arrival, and the best man I have since I
joined is a Passed Medical Pupil, who having gone through the curriculum of the Grant
College, is useful; but he knew nothing of the returns or forms and is a very bad writer.
H. M. ' s 8 t h Re g i me n t N. I .
POONA.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major T. MILLER.
Average Strength
685
Deaths in Hospital
8
Do.
Present
595
Do. out of do.
2
Admissions
1,345
Invalided
57
Daily Sick
37.2
Sick Leave
13