NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
7
mixed alkaloid obtainable. The admissions from respiratory diseases were 63, viz.
bronchitic catarrh 35, pneumonia 3, asthma 3, bronchitis 22. Of the diseases of stomach
and bowels there were 137 cases, diarrhœa 70, dysentery 93, colic and dyspepsia 10. There
were 46 admissions from venereal diseases ; out of this number 10 were cases of simple
gonorrhœa, most of which were contracted at Poona. The remaining cases were syphilitic.
Of the other cases admitted there is nothing Worthy of note.
11. There were 9 deaths in hospital, from the following causes :—Two remittent fever,
Mortality and its causes.
one of which was complicated with aneurism of the arch of the
aorta, one bronchitis, one pneumonia, three from diarrhœa, one
from dysentery, one from ague, and one in the lines from aneurism of aorta.
Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccination,
12. There was one case of cholera which recovered.
13. None performed.
14. Fifty-four men were invalided, two asthma, two chronic bronchitis, one rheuma-
Invaliding and its causes.
tism, one deafness, two defective vision, forty-four from general
debility, one hepatitis, one injury to knee joint.
15. At Malta the medical officer ordered two extra tents for the sick (each tent to
Requirements and recommend-
ations.
hold 20 men) and to be thatched with a grass chupper, also
an extra latrine with four sets; this also was for the use of
sick in hospital.
The medical subordinates have given satisfaction.
16. As far as my short experience goes as regards the cinchona alkaloid, I find that
Special observations.
when it is given in doses of from grains vii. to x., it has no
effect whatever in warding off any severe attack of intermittent
fever; even when first given in a large dose of grains xx. and repeated afterwards by grains x.
every three hours, it produces, as far as I have had opportunity to see, no beneficial effect in
severe cases of fever. The cinchona alkaloid appears to me to act only as a very mild
febrifuge.
While the Regiment was at Cyprus, the sepoys were employed in making roads ; this
work in some instances appears to have had a prejudicial effect on the men's health.
H. M.'s Aden Troop.
KHOR MAKSAR.—In Medical charge of 1st Class Hospital Assistant GANGAJI RAMJI.
Average Strength
100
Deaths in Hospital
. . .
Do.
Present ......... 94
Do. out of do.
1
Admissions
192
Invalided
.
4
Daily Sick
4.2
Sick Leave
4
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deat hs i n
Hospital.
1875
Khor Maksar
207.3
6.1
......
1876
•
Do.
176.5
6.8
0.1
1877
Do.
159.0
4.0
......
1878....
Average...
180.9
5.6
......
Khor Maksar
204.2
4.4
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
11
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick. Deaths
1875
Bombay
90.1
3.2
0.9
1876
Do.
80.6
2.5
0.4
1877
Do. ...
82.8
2.5
1.1
1878
.
Average...
84.5
2.7
0.8
Bombay
150.4
4.3
1.3
1. The head-quarters and main body have as usual been stationed in Bombay, besides
Location and movement.
furnishing the usual detachments in course of annual relief to
the Persian Gulf and Indian Government steam vessels as per
subjoined details :—
Bagdad
16
Bushire
25
Bassadore
.
12
Gwadur
36
Jask
70
I. G. S. S. Dalhousie
8
Ditto
Abyssinia
.
8
Ditto
Magdala
8
The detachment of 70 strong at Jask was a new call on the Regiment this . year. A
company was also sent in April to Bassadore to strengthen the Detachment, which was
returned on the 31st December, being no longer required there.
The lines and their surround-
ings, present condition, hygienic,
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
2. The same as reported in previous year.
3. The same as reported in previous year.
4. From Vehar by means of cast iron pipes for drinking purposes, and from wells in
Water supply.
and near the lines for washing and other purposes. The quality
of the Vehar water has been excellent and the supply is
abundant.
5. The same as reported before. The Kattvwar and Deccan famine had the effect of
considerably raising the price of rice, bajri, and other grains
which form the staple food of the sepoys throughout the year.
Notwithstanding the good fall of rain throughout the last monsoon, and the subsequent
report of favourable crops in the mofussil, this high rate of prices is still maintained in the
local market, and the sepoy's food is not yet procurable at its usual price.
Food and clothing.
. Duties, exercise and amuse-
ments ; their effects on health.
6. Not heavy, the men on an average get 4½ nights in bed
during the week at head-quarters.
The amusements of the men aro principally of their own invention. A few young sepoys
compete for the prizes at the annual running, jumping, climbing and sack races on the
Esplanade.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings, present condition,
hygienic, and . otherwise.
7. The hospital accommodation has been sufficient, and
there was no overcrowding ; the hygienic condition of the hos-
pital and its surroundings the same as reported before.
8. The general health and physique of the men has been on the whole fairly good.
The Regiment is recruited from two classes of men, viz.
Mahomedans from the N. W. Provinces and low caste Hindoos,
called Purwarees, and Moochies from Konkan.
General health and physique.
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
presented by me—one from fracture of the right humerus. One day in the afternoon while
lying down and attempting to move from one side to another, the bone gave way in three
different places by muscular action. The bone was completely united, but the arm remained
helpless and at last he was invalided. One facial paralysis and one curvature of the spine,
two rheumatic affections ; one varicose veins, one leprosy, one internal piles, two syphilis,
twenty debility, and seven scorbutic affections.
13
Requirements and recommend-
ations.
Special observations, new ex-
periences in treatment, sanitation.
15. A dissecting table is greatly needed in the dead-
house, but is not allowed by the existing rules.
16. None
H. M .’s 22nd Regiment N. I.
BOMBAY.—In Medical charge of Surgeon-Major H. A. LEWIS.
Average Strength
679
Deaths in Hospital .
3
Do.
Present
626
Do. out of do.
2
Admissions
1,323
Invalided
78
Daily Sick
38.2
Sick Leave
27
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
H o s p i t a l .
1875
Baroda
117.6
4.0
1.3
1876
Do.
97.9
3.4
0.9
1877
Do.
122.9
5.6
2.3
Average...
112.8
3.3
1.5
1878
Ahmedabad, Bombay, and
Belgaum.
211.3
6.1
0.5
1. The Regiment left Ahmedabad by train on the 28th April for Bombay, where it
Location and movements.
was stationed until the 9th September, when the Head Quarters
with the Right Half Battalion proceeded by rail to Poona and
was joined by the Left Half Battalion on the 16th September. On the 28th October the
Regiment commenced its march for Belgaum, viá Sattara and Kolapur, reaching this station
on the 19th November.
2. The general description of the lines has been given in previous annual reports.
The lines, &c.
No changes have been made in them during the past year, and
their hygienic condition is, on the whole, satisfactory.
3. The four latrines to the south of the lines are conveniently situated. The iron
Conservancy.
pans which receive the solid and fluid excreta are emptied
twice daily into iron receptacles, and the contents are carted
away to some distance, and thrown into pits.
4. The water supply is obtained from several wells in the lines. The quality is
considered good, and there is a sufficient quantity. No
analysis of the potable water in this station has been made for
the last five years.
5. The supply of provisions in tile bazaar is good and plentiful. Owin g to the late
Owin
Food and clothing.
6. The duties consist of
,
p arades. drill. musketr y i
nstruction, guards, and orderly
,
,
.,
, _
,
.
duties. Average number of nights in bed, 5. There is a
“ talimkhana” attached to the lines. The duties do not affect
the men’s health.
Water supply.
famine, the prices are very high. There has been no change
made in the men’s clothing.
; Duties, exercise and amuse-
ments, &c.
4 m
1 7
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
POONA DIVISION.
Average Strength Present during the year...
...
...
... 6,822
Average Daily Sick per cent. to the Average Strength Present ...
3.6
Ratio of Mortality per cent. to the Average Strength Present ...
1.3
H. M.’s Poona Horse.
SIRUR.—In medical charge of Surgeon A. K. STEWART.
Average Strength .
495
Deaths in Hospital
.
5
Do.
Present
483
Do. out of do.
1
Admissions .
352
Invalided
.
28
Daily Sick
10.7
Sick Leave
•
4
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
Hospital
1875
Sirur
80.8
3.1
1.0
1876
Do
69.1
3.1
0.4
1877
Do.
53.7
2.4
0.9
Average
67.9
2.9
0.8
1878
Sirur
72.8
2.2
1.0
1. The head-quarters of the Regiment are at Sirur, and there have been no movements
Location and movements.
since the last report with the exception of a small detachment
of thirty-four men who relieved the 1st Lancers when they
went to Malta. Six and three men were on escort . duty in Poona and Bombay, respectively,
for a short period.
2.The lines are situated too near the town, hence any out-break of epidemic disease is
Lines and their surroundings,
present condition, hygienic and
otherwise.
very apt to be transmitted to the Regiment, and when the town
is in quarantine it is very difficult to prevent the men going
into it. They are situated north and south nearly, so that the
prevailing south-westerly winds readily pass through and ven-
tilate the open streets. The old cells so unfavourably reported upon last year have been
replaced by good ones built with the new Quarter Guard, wh īch is just completed.
3. The system of shallow pits with drains to carry off the fluid excreta in each
Conservancy.
house is objectionable, as a certain amount of fluid matter
necessarily accumulates in the soil. TO obviate this as much
as possible, the drains are inspected regularly once a week, and the fluid matter is run to
the roots of young trees planted opposite each house. Thirty-two long iron pans have been
put, each in separate house enclosures, for experiment, and as they seem to have worked
pretty well, it is intended to furnish them to all the houses when the state of the funds permits.
The night-soil
is deposited on land, supposed to be under cultivation, some distance to
leeward of camp. The natives in this part of the country seem to have a most insuperable
objection to using night-soil for purposes of culture, except apparently in the case of the
river melon bed cultivators, and in their case its use has now been prohibited, owing to the
contamination of the water supply which it necessarily induces.
4. The water supply from the river Goreh is fairly good and plentiful. According to the
late Surgeon Gordon’s report, it contains a considerable amount
of salts and suspended matter ; however, it never seems to
produce any bad effects upon the troops. When the necessary test solutions and apparatus are
obtained, a rough analysis will be made, as recently ordered by Government.
Water supply.
5 m
19
POONA DIVISION Of THE ARMY.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General BEATTY.
Both the sanitary condition and conservancy arrangements of the lines were excellent
at the time of my inspection on the 3rd of December 1878.
The pernicious practice of depositing night-soil in the dry bed of the river in which
melons are cultivated, has been prohibited. During the past year several hundreds of trees
have been planted between and surrounding the lines, which in the course of a few years
will add materially to the comfort of the men.
Since last report, new cells have replaced the old ill-constructed ones, and a new guard
room has been built on the site of the old hospital. A new hospital, on the standard plan,
has also been erected, and is now nearly ready for occupation.
The sick were most carefully looked after by Surgeon Stewart, who takes much interest
in his work, and in the management of his hospital generally. His remarks on the treatment
of guinea worm by the injection of scorpion poison are of interest.
.
H. M.’s Sappers and Miners.
KIRKEE.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major W. NIVEN and Surgeon C. MONKS.
Average Strength
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
478
Deaths in Hospital
..
6
Do.
Present
...
470
Do. out of do
.
. . .
Admissions
1,279
Invalided . .
53
Daily Sick
27.4
Sick Leave
7
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Kirkee
.
55.8
1.8
0.7
1876
.
Do
46.7
2.0
0.6
1877 ... ......
Do
96.1
3.5
1.1
Average
66.2
2.4
0.8
1878
Kirkee
272.1
5.8
1.3
1. The corps, consisting of 5 companies, 4 of which are stationed at new Jhansi and
1 at Aden, has been broken up, on account of field service.
The following were the movements :—Nos. 3 and 5 companies
left for Malta expedition on the 24th April, returning here on the 23rd November, No. 2
Company left for Cabul on the 6th December, and No. 3 Company was sent to Bombay on
the 30th December for torpedo practice.
2. A more extended observation of the nature of the ground on which the lines and
bazar are situated leads me to believe that their hygienic con-
.
dition is not satisfactory on account of the system of drainage
being imperfect, and also on account of there being in the
immediate neighbourhood a number of hollows which during
the monsoon months are filled with water and keep the ground wet. The bazaar requires
to be levelled and drains made for carrying off storm water.
3. The latrines allotted to males and females were described in the report of last year.
The night-soil is carried away by a conservancy cart to the
general manure yard. I would suggest the use of some disin-
fecting powder in the buckets, as a slight odour is perceptible on near approach to the
latrines.
Location and movement.
The lines and their surround-
ings, present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
4. The water supply is obtained from Kharakwasla canal ;
it is good and abundant.
21
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Intermittent fever was the prevailing disease. Latterly most of the cases were treated
with emetics of ipecacuanha and tartarized antimony, followed by decoction of nim bark,
and the preparations of cinchona only given in severe cases.
The large numbers in hospital from April to October may be accounted for by the old
and sickly men being left behind when the two companies proceeded to Malta. The best and
strongest men were selected for what at that time was considered to be field service.
I n s p e c t i o n b y D e p u t y S u r g e o n G e n e r a lB
E A T T Y .
My annual inspection was made on the 3rd November 1878, when only two companies
were present, the remainder being absent on duty.
The fears entertained by Surgeon Major Niven (the officer formerly in medical charge)
in regard to the proximity of' the lines to the river banks, and incomplete drainage, acting
unfavourably on the men’s health, have been proved by experience to be groundless. Con-
servancy is carefully attended to. Water supply is abundant throughout the year. The
general health of the men, who returned from the Indian Expeditionary Force, was found
to have suffered so severely from the effects of fever contracted by exposure whilst engaged
in road making at Cyprus, that it became necessary to invalid a larger number than in
previous years. Fifty-three were discharged as unfit for further service.
The hospital of the Native Sappers was in excellent repair and highly efficient, but
until a new one has been built for the use of the Royal Engineers stationed at new Jhansi,
the existing arrangements for treating the sick of this important branch of the service must
continue as unsatisfactory.
H. M.’s 2nd (Prince of Wales’ Own) Regiment N. I. (Grenadiers).
BELGAUM—In Medical charge of Surgeon C. T. PETERS, M.D.
Average Strength
694
Deaths in Hospital
3
Do.
Present
632
Do. out of do.
5
Admissions
.,
508
Invalided
39
Daily Sick
18.4
Sick Leave
14
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
H o s p i t a l .
1 8 7 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aden
60.2
2.3
0.1
1876
Belgaum
63.8
2.6
0 . 8
1877
Do.
56.4
3.0
1.4
Average...
60.1
2.6
0.8
1878
Belgaum
80.4
2 . 9
0.4
1. The Regiment was stationed in Belgaum till the 12th November 1878, when it
marched for Vingorla, being under orders for Ahmedabad.
The destination was however changed the evening before the
march commenced, to Nusseerabad. As the march commenced within a few days after a
very heavy fall of rain, the encamping grounds were more or less damp and covered with
thick grass the whole way from Belgaum to Vingorla, and the men consequently suffered
somewhat from catarrhal affections. Vingorla was reached on the morning of the 18th idem,
whence the first detachment, consisting of three companies with head-quarters, embarked on
the following day on board I. G. S. Dalhousie, arriving at Bombay on the 20th and at
Ahmedabad by rail on the 25th. The second detachment, consisting of two companies,
Location and movements.
6 m
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Detail of those treated.
24
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
H. M.’s 3rd Regiment N. I.
KoLAPUR.—In medical charge of Surgeon Major R. C. THORP, M.D., and Surgeon T. D. WORGAN.
Average Strength
708
Deaths in Hospital
.
9
Do.
Present
664
Do. out of do.
4
Admissions
. .
1309
Invalided
...
35
Daily Sick
.
19.4
Sick Leave
7
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick . Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Ahmedabad
175.0
4.6
2.1
1876
Kolapur and Kaladgi ......
95.3
2.7
0.3
1877
Do.
do.
......
111.8
2.9
0.6
Average ..... . .
127.4
3.4
1.0
1878
Kolapur and Sholapur ......
197.1
2.9
1.3
1. The right wing and head-quarters occupied the station of Kolapur from the 1st of
January to 4th December ; they then marched to Poona, reach-
ing that Station on the 18th December. They were there
joined by the left wing, and the whole regiment remained in camp till the close of the year.
Location and movement.
Lines and surroundings, pre-
sent condition, hygienic and
otherwise.
Conservancy.
2. I would refer to the Annual Report of the previous year
1877, in which Surgeon Macgregor deals very fully with these
points.
3. I have nothing to add on this point.
4. In consequence of a large rain-fall, the water supply in the wells was greater in
quantity and much better in quality than in the previous
year.
Water supply.
5. I am of opinion that the men diet themselves in too limited a manner, and that cer-
tain foods are deficient, as many sepoys of more than 15 years’
service present signs of scorbutic taint. Animal food is only
consumed twice a week by those who are meat eaters ; the quantity even then being exceed--
ingly small, half a pound of uncooked meat being consumed by a man if single, and divided
among himself the children if married. With regard to the clothing, the red tunic which
is worn all the year round seems somewhat heavy and tight fitting ; for hot weather the
“ khaky” clothing is eminently more comfortable and not ill looking.
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercises, and amuse-
ments ; their effects on health.
Hospital and its surroundings,
conditions, hygienic and otherwise.
6. I am unable to give an opinion on these points for the
year 1878.
7. I would refer to remarks on these subjects by Dr.
Macgregor.
8. From the weekly reports the health of the right wing and head-quarters seems to
General health and physique.
have been remarkably good throughout the year ; the health of
the left wing is commented on in the report for that wing.
9. This subject is dealt with by Surgeon Macgregor in the previous report, but I may
add during the months of June, July and August there seems
to have been a large number of admissions for “ febricula,”
attributed to the solar heat.
10. The principal causes of admission during the year
were, ague 784, febricula 80, syphilis 50, and dysentery 45.
25
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
The disproportionately large number of cases of “ague” treated during the year
was caused by the prevalence of this disease among the left wing at Sholapur. The
increase of “syphilis ” on the previous year, an increase of 30 cases, is also due to the
large number of admissions for “ primary syphilis” at the same station. One case of
pyæmia occurred, following abscess due to guinea worm.
11. Nine deaths occurred during the year in Hospital and four more are reported while
Mortality and its causes.
on sick leave and furlough. The deaths were caused by second-
ary syphilis, remittent and intermittent fevers, encephaloid
cancer, anæmia, and pyæmia.
12. No epidemic occurred in the regiment during the year, though malarial fever
Epidemic.
assumed an almost epidemic form among the left wing at
Sholapur.
13.
13. Vaccination and re-vaccination were carried out in a very much more efficient
manner than during the previous year. An increase of 11
primary vaccinations and total increase of 42 re-vaccinations
duri ng t he year‚ al l of whi ch were report ed successful .
14. Thirty-five men were invalided during the year for discharge as recorded in the
Adjutant’s office ; of these only 29 however were recorded in the
hospital books. The causes were chronic rheumatism, general
debility, old age, and length of service.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommend-
ations.
15. I have nothing to say at present under this
heading.
16. No records of special treatment or sanitation are recorded in the weekly returns,
and since I have had charge of head-quarters, all cases have
been of a simple nature, all yielding to treatment. Many
cases of quotidian ague have been cut short by arsenic, where
large doses of quinine have failed.
Left Wing H. M.’s 3rd Regiment N. I.
SHOLAPUR.—In Medical charge of Surgeon F. F. MACCARTIE.
The wing left Sholapur on the 18th of December 1878, and joined the head-quarters at
Poona. From the returns, which show 630 admissions into hospital during year, of which
459 were from fevers, the health of the wing cannot be said to have been in a satisfactory
state. The large number of fever admissions into hospital would point to the effect of
Sholapur on the health of the men. There were (6) six deaths during the year, one from
ague, two from remittent fever, two from syphilis secondary, and one from anæmia. One
color havildar and nine sepoys were invalided during the year—five for disability caused by
length of service, four for general debility, and one for chronic rheumatism.
H. M.’s 4th Rifles B. N. I.
S A TARA.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major C. G. H. Ross.
Average Strength
683
Deaths in Hospital
10
Do.
Present
655
Do out of do.
.
1
Admissions
850
Invalided
2 5
Daily Sick
17.7
Sick Leave
25
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
___
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Satara, Bombay and Asir-
ghur.
93.8
2.5
0.4
1876
Do.
do.
do.
96.3
2.9
0.6
1877
Do.
do.
do.
128.9
3.7
0.8
Average......
106.3
3.0
0.6
1878
Satara, Bombay and Asir-
ghur.
129.7
2.7
1.5
Special observations in treat-
ment, sanitation.
7
m