60
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
16. The same as given in former reports. It is strongly recommended that at this
Special observations, new
experiences in treatment, sani-
tation.
station where malarious fevers assume, especially during and
after the rains, at times a somewhat protracted and dangerous
type, that the supply of quinine should be larger and more
liberal, so as to co-operate with, if not entirely supersede, (in
from about one-half to three-fourths of the cases treated,) the administration of the cinchona
alkaloids, as, though the latter in some mild cases are useful, they cannot practically, in my
opinion, with safety be expected to act as efficiently and take the place of quinine to so large
an extent at least at this station as that of “three fourths,” laid down in circulars for guid--
ance. I can safely say that almost every protracted or severe case of malarious fever which
came under observation had sooner or later to be treated with quinine in full doses, i.e. 20 to
30 grains or more daily, as required. 170 were also injected hypodermically with the neutral
s u l p h a t e 5 t o 7 ½ g r s . d i s s o l v e d i n c i t r i c a c i d , wa t e r , h e a t e d g l y c e r i n e , a n d c a r e f u l l y f i l t e r e d ;
these solutions were generally effectual and well borne. Not a single case of sloughing or
other inconvenience occurred. The first, second or third days were marked with slight
pyrexia, resolving itself into speedy convalescence, when within from ten to twelve days the
average injected were discharged from hospital, but though the fevers in many cases were
checked, general debility and. anæmia succeeded in some, who had finally to be sent away for
change of air.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
At inspection (December 10th, 1878) there was the large number of 191 sick (182 cases
of ague) distributed in four contiguous barracks, one of which is used as the ordinary hospital.
The accommodation is fairly good and ample, with sufficient supplementary buildings, the
only drawback at this season being the stone flagged floor. Straw however has been laid
down for some 40 patients, for whom no cots are available. I found all orderly and clean,
general arrangements good, and the service efficiently and creditably discharged, the large
amount of duty devolving on the establishment considered. There has been much complaint
in this charge (where the daily sick from ague at one time exceeded 250) of want of quinine.
The sanctioned quantity was necessarily inadequate, although supplemented, as at Nusseera--
bad, from private sources. Alkaloid remedies proved ineffectual, as many of the cases were
unusually severe, the more so that gastric irritability was a common feature and thus
several passed into remittent, three eventuating fatally. I concur with the local military and
medical authorities in considering it unfortunate that absolute restrictions should have been
put on the supply of an essential drug at a time when excessive sickness demanded its free
employment. The men's lines are in as good. order as feasible, the radical defects of want of
sufficient cubage considered; and I fully realize that the local authorities have done all within
their power to lessen the incidence of sickness, and to properly meet its requirements.
H. M.'s 11th Regiment N. I.
BHUJ.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major C. K. COLSTON.
Average Strength
662
Do.
Present
630
Admissions
2,184
Daily Sick
68.6
Deaths in Hospital
14
Do. out of do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
Invalided
64
Sick Leave
21
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Bhuj
46.8
2.4
0.5
1876
Do.
71.5
2.8
0.2
1877
Do.
108.0
4.3
0.7
Average
75.4
3.2
0.5
1878
Bhuj
346.6
10.9
2. 2