90
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
11. There were 11 deaths at the Head-quarters and 1 at Hydrabad. Eight of these
occurred during the last quarter. The causes of death may be
classified under one of the three following heads—1st, malaria,
producing marked anæmia ; 2nd, scurvy ; and 3rd, syphilis. There were four deaths from
ague of an adynamic type. One of these cases was phthisical, and another succumbed
to an attack of acute bronchitis, while under treatment for ague. In the former case a
cattarrhal thickening of the gall bladder to the extent of a quarter of an inch, was noticed.
Considering the extreme rarity of such a condition, and the utter absence during life of
symptoms indicative of it, it is worthy of special mention. There were two deaths from
pneumonia—one at Hydrabad, and the other at the Head-quarters. There was only one
death from diarrhœa in the early part of the year. One death occurred from rupture of
aortic aneurism, a few hours after the patient’s admission into the hospital, and before I had
time to see him. Subsequent inquiries elicited the fact that the man had constantly suffered
from a sharp pain in the chest, but had made light of it. There was one death in an incipient
case of pleurisy, and one from acute bronchitis. Both died from exhaustion, and were
highly anæmic. In one case originally admitted for chronic synovitis of the left knee joint,
death was caused by peritonitis with rapid purulent effusion. The patient was scorbutic and
had frequently to be treated for subacute synovitis of the knee. The last case that remains
to be noticed, was under treatment for over five months. It was originally admitted for
shoe-bite on the left tendo achilles. The bite developed by degrees into an unsightly ulcer,
and subsequently assumed a fungating appearance with a foul surface, partly bleeding and
partly discharging a thin ichorous fluid. No amount of tonics, antiscorbutics, poultice, and
disinfectants could set the ulcer into a healing order. Now and then there was an attempt
at healing. The patient died of exhaustion. His highly anæmic and scorbutic condition
contra-indicated operative interference.
12. There were no epidemics in the Regiment. Small-pox having broken out in the
Mortality and its causes.
Epidemics.
town of Kurrachee in the middle of the year, prompt measures
were taken to re-vaccinate the Regiment by way of precaution.
13. Of primary vaccination there were 16 successful cases and 2 unsuccessful. Between
the months of September and November 225 re-vaccinations
were practised, including 23 recruits. Only 124 of these were
successful, although equal care was taken in all the cases. This may perhaps be cited as an
instance in favour of those who advocate the theory that cases of re-vaccination don’t
“ take” as long as they are under the influence of the virus of a previous vaccination. The
removal of a detachment to Hydrabad, and the subsequent movements of the Regiment, pre-
vented the completion of re-vaccination. It may be noted that 109 in the Regiment are
protected by small-pox.
14. There were 26 men invalided during the year. All except two were over
twenty years of service. Most of these were invalided for
general debility—a very vague term—but sufficiently indicative
of a condition in which no sepoy is efficient for active service. One was invalided for double
inguinal hernia, one for chronic rheumatic arteritis and anchylosis of the right shoulder
joint, one for locomotor ataxy, and one for secondary syphilis (hemiplegia, &c.)
15. The want of a filter and dead-house was greatly felt by me at Kurrachee. Great
inconvenience is generally felt in a regimental hospital by
patients on account of there being no cook for the hospital.
In cases of minor importance, where a certain amount of bodily
rest is essential, and where an “attending man” is not allowed, the poor sufferer has to cook
his own food, to the greatest prejudice to his health. I therefore recommend that a cook may
be added to the hospital establishment for such of the sick as would avail themselves of his
services, with due regard to their notions of caste, &c.
16. Two cheap articles, namely, iodide of starch and biborate of soda, have been used
by me with very great advantage in this hospital and elsewhere.
Iodide of starch forms a very good dressing for syphilitic
affections, and biborate of soda, whether as a powder, lotion, or ointment, is a good antiseptic
and stimulant in the dressing of cutaneous and cellular tissue affections. In both these
articles there is a harmonious combination of economy and usefulness.
H. M.’s 27th or 1st Belooch Regiment N. I.
HYDRABAD—In medical charge of Surgeon W. G. H. HENDERSON.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommenda-
tions.
Special observations.
Average Strength
698
Do.
Present
655
Admissions
.
. 993
Daily Sick
28.S
Deaths in Hospital
...
7
Do. out of do.
4
Invalided
.
22
Sick Leave
5