Requirements and recommendations.
42
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
10.
The number of admissions for the whole regiment during the year was 853; the
deaths 16. These numbers contrast unfavourably with those of
the previous year, when the total of sick was 593, and the deaths
7. Of the deaths during the past year however 8 were accidental; if these be omitted, the
percentage of deaths from sickness is less than shown in 1877.
At the head-quarters at Ahmednagar the cases treated were reported to be generally of
no special interest; they consisted chiefly of intermittent fever and a few of fever of a remit-
tent type. One of the latter died, and post-mortem examination disclosed nothing
characteristic of typhoid. Venereal affections were noted to be rather prevalent. Sixteen
rank and file and 6 followers were badly burned by a fire which occurred in a theatre in May.
Of these 8 men and 5 followers died from shock and the extent of their injuries; the remainder
recovered, but the cicatrices caused one sepoy of 32 years' service to be invalided. In the
wing in Poona between the 1st June and 23rd November, out of an average strength of 200,
there were 262 admissions into hospital, 193 of which were from intermittent fever. Dysentery
also appears to have been somewhat prevalent there, 14 cases with one death having been
returned under this head. A fatal case of cholera also occurred there in August. Some of the
cases of intermittent fever appear to have been of an intractable nature ; nine men having
been sent on sick leave for this cause. The wing for some time during the rains encamped
in tents near the gymkhana ground.
11.
Total number of deaths 16; 8 the result of a fire as above mentioned, 2 cholera (1
Details of treated.
Mortality.
at Ahmednagar and 1 at Poona), 2 dysentery (1 also at each
station), 1 remittent fever, 1 pneumonia, 1 from renal calculi
(uræmia), and one death occurred on sick leave from anæmia.
Epidemics.
12. There were no epidemic diseases.
13. Vaccination from arm to arm was maintained at the hospital throughout the year,
all children born in the lines and the regimental bazaar being
vaccinated at an average age of two months. New recruits
whose marks were considered unsatisfactory were re-vaccinated.
14. Forty-one men were invalided. Of these 38 were Hindoos, and 3 Mahomedans; 11
Vaccination.
were above 32 years in service, and 30 had served for above 20,
and under 23 years.
15. The recommendations made in the previous year ' s report
have not been carried out : they are still considered necessary.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
Inspected January 24th, 1879. Arrived by wings in November and December last, from
Poona and Ahmednagar ; located in the lines lately vacated by the 1st Grenadiers, which
are in satisfactory order, and afford better accommodation than average. Hospital suitable,
ordinarily ample, but in need of repairs. There is no contagious ward here as elsewhere, a
want that should be supplied, and one building of two rooms would answer for both native
corps close as the hospitals are. I realized thorough efficiency in all the arrangements and
details of this hospital, which has a much better establishment than usual, and am well
satisfied with the careful treatment and attention bestowed on the sick.