34 MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick. Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Dharwar
52.9
2.7
0.5
1876
Do.
47.1
2.1
0.6
1877
Do.
80.3
2.2
0 . 9
Average
60.1
2.3
0.7
1878
Dharwar
100.8
2.6
1.1
Location and movement.
1. The regiment was stationary up to December, when it received orders to march to
Rujkot; three companies leaving on 10th December and the
head-quarters on the 24th. One detachment, consisting of 54
men, was sent on duty to Dhopdall near Gokak to guard some prisoners there. It returned
to head-quarters on the 26th June 1878.
2.
The lines and their surround
- i n g s . T h e l i n e s h a v e b e e n f u l l y d e s c r i b e d i n p r e v i o u s r e p o r t s . T h e y w e r e c l e a n a n d w e l l
kept, the surface drains being in good repair. The houses are
well ventilated and have a small garden in front of each, with
a sufficient number of trees planted to absorb any stagnant
water. The regimental bazar, situated to the rear of the lines, has been satisfactory in every
respect, and was kept in a proper sanitary condition.
3.
Conservancy.
The trench system was the one in use, and was found to answer very well. The
improvements introduced last year have been found of great
benefit. Crops of vegetables were grown over the site of the
latrines. The working of the establishment has been carefully attended to.
4.
Water supply.
The water supply is ample. It is obtained from four wells, the Purwarees havin
gone, the Hindoos and Mussulmans a second, a third being prin
-cipally used. by the Hospital Establishment and the European
Officers. The water from all the wells is good and abundant with the exception of the one
built last year near the hospital, which, in consequence of its not being sufficiently deep, runs
dry in the hot season.
5.
Food and clothing.
Grain food was abundant but dear, vegetables plentiful and cheap. The highest
grain compensation was in the month of July, when it reached
Rs. 6-2-7, and the lowest in the month of December, when it
was Rs. 1-15-10. The clothing of the men seems to be quite sufficient.
6.
Duties, exercises, and amuse
-ments; their effect.
The duties of the men do not seem to be too heavy. The average consecutive nights
i n b e d we r e 7 ¾ f o r t h e y e a r . Th e r e i s a g o o d g y mn a s i u m wh i c h
they resort to. They have also a very good workshop where,
when not otherwise employed, they are occupied at tailoring,
boot making, and carpentry, &c. For some years past they have obtained prizes at the
exhibition held in Poona.
7.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings.
The hospital has been fully described in previous reports. It has been kept clean
and neat, and its conservancy arrangements have been very
carefully carried out. The well that was made near the hospital
last year is found not to be sufficiently deep, and consequently
does not yield a proper amount of water for the hospital establishment. This has been
brought to the notice of the Executive Engineer, and I believe steps are being taken to have
it deepened.
8.
General health and physique.
During the year the general health of the men has been very fair. Their physical
condition is good. Notwithstanding the number of Mahrattas,
Purwarries, Mochies, &c. in the regiment, I believe it can
compare very favourably with any other in the Bombay Presidency.
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
9. There is a very marked increase in the number of admissions into hospital as compared
with the year previous. 708 cases altogether were admitted,
compared with 482 for 1877. This I think is accounted for by
the dearness and insufficiency of food owing to the famine, as
well as to the variableness of the weather.