64
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
H. M.'s 18th Regiment N. I.
DEESA.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major A. N. E. RIDDEL.
Average Strength
690
Do.
Present
629
Admissions
481
Daily Sick
11.0
Deaths in Hospital
6
Do. out of do
6
Invalided
59
Sick Leave
6
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Deesa
123.5
3 . 6
...
1876
Do.
81.1
2.5
0.4
1877 7
Do.
63.6
1.9
...
1878
Average..
89 . 4.
2.7
0.1
Deesa
76 .4
1.6
0.9
1. This regiment was stationed in Deesa till the 6th December 1878, on which date
Location and movements.
the head-quarters and Right Wing, 366 strong, left it en route
for Poona, the Left Wing remaining in Deesa.
2. The same lines were occupied which have been periodically reported for some years
The lines and their surround-
ings; present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.
past as old, bad, and past repair. Taking everything into con-
sideration, their situation is perhaps as suitable as can be found.
The huts are built on the old plan without plinths, the roofs
are tiled, ventilation being through the doors and tiles of the
roofs. They are apt to leak and tumble down in the wet season. Cubage of each hut about
750 foot. The drainage of the lines and cantonment generally is surface. The bazaar is
about three hundred yards distant, and its sanitary condition is carefully looked after .
3. The latrines are situated during the dry season in the bed of the river, which is
Conservancy.
several feet below the surface of the lines, and in the wet
season they are situated on the bank of the river, the trench
system being used in both seasons. The lines are kept clean by the regimental sweepers.
Water supply.
4. Supply sufficient. Quality good. Source from springs.
There are six wells in the lines and one in the hospital compound.
S. Owing to the deficient rainfall of the previous year, the prices of all kinds of food
rose enormously. As a rule the men seem to me rather
underfed. No alteration has been made in the clothing.
6. The ordinary garrison duties and escort parties. There is no gymnasium, and the
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercise and amuse-
ments; their effects on health.
men’s amusements seem confined to those in ordinary vogue
amongst natives. Neither appear to affect the general health.
7. The hospital is built in an excellent situation and there are no surrounding's except
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings; present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
the usual buildings. It is in excellent repair, the accommoda-
tion is sufficient, the ventilation complete, and there has been
no overcrowding. The latrine is built of brick and. answers
its Purpose completely. Disinfectants are used to the amount
sanctioned, and the excreta are removed by the sweepers and night carts.
8. The general health has, I consider, been fairly good. The physique of the men
General health and physique.
compares favourably with that of other regiments which
have had an opportunity of seeing, and owing to a great num-
her of inferior men having been invalided during the year, I believe that it is fit for active
service in the field.
9. The rainfall this year has been unusually high, amounting to 31 inches 28 cents,
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
and the hot season commenced early and continued longer than
usual. To these circumstances I attribute the increase in the
number of admissions. and especially the increase of cases of
ague. The greatest number of admissions from this disease occurred from July to November
inclusive.