Duties, exercise, and amuse-
ments; their effects on health.
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
63
6. These are the same as given in former reports, and
have proved not otherwise than beneficial to the general health
of the men.
7. The regimental hospital is well placed on high ground, and is clean, well ventilated,
and in good repair. As there are no wards or separate build-
-ings for the cases of infectious diseases, temporary grass huts
are built for such cases when they occur, and destroyed when
no longer required.
8. The health of the corps for the year under report contrasts most unfavourably with
that of the previous one. There were 1,990 admissions and
twelve deaths in hospital in the year 1878, against 686 admis-
- s i o n s a n d t h r e e d e a t h s i n 1 8 7 7 . T h e m e n s u f f e r e d c o n s i d e r a b l y f r o m a g u e ; r e p e a t e d a t t a c k s
of which have weakened a large number of them, and rendered them liable to the invasion
of disease on the least unusual exertion, change of weather, diet, &c. The regiment contains
a large number of good physique.
9. The season was a very trying one, and the heat was very great during the months
of March, April, and May. The rainfall, which was 19.40
inches against 11.48 inches in the previous year, had great
influence in causing this unusual sickness.
10. The total number of admissions into hospital from all causes was 1,990, of which
1,454 were re-admissions. The prevailing diseases were, ma-
larious fevers 1,400, lung diseases 62, muscular rheumatism 69,
conjunctivitis 64, bowel complaints 58. Owing to the scarcity of vegetables at Nusseerabad,
46 cases of scurvy were admitted into hospital daring the year under review. There were
three cases of enteric fever, all of which proved fatal.
11. There were twelve deaths in hospital, four from intermittent fever, three from
enteric fever, and one each from cholera, pneumonia, asthma,
heart disease, and scurvy. Two deaths occurred out of hospital;
one died in Sind, while on a recruiting party, and the other in Bombay while on sick leave.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings.
General health and physique.
Influence of climate, or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.
Mortality and its causes.
Epidemics.
12. There was only one case of malignant cholera, which
terminated fatally.
13. The total number of primary vaccinations was 32, and all were successful. There
were 54 re-vaccinations; of this 39 were successful and 15
unsuccessful.
14. Thirty-nine men were invalided, for the following causes—general debility 20,
defective eye-sight 7, chronic bronchitis 6, chronic rheumatism
5, internal hœmorrhoids 1; total 39. In addition to these, one
man was discharged with a gratuity, for general debility.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
Inspected 2nd December, 1878. Hospital buildings as at last visit, unless that ceilings
are now being put up in the wards, which will add much to comfort, particularly during the
cold season. Health has been unfavourable since July, when scurvy appeared, affecting
eventually nearly half the Regiment; and for three months past ague has prevailed, almost
universally. Thus the average sick to date is more than fourfold in excess of that for
previous year. Owing to illness, consequent on overwork, the medical officer was unable to
accompany me at inspection; but I realized that the duties are properly conducted by his
locum teneus, that arrangements are fairly satisfactory, and service of the sick efficient. But
the want of sufficient quinine to deal with the numerous severe cases of ague has been much
felt, although the authorized supply has been liberally supplemented from private resources.
Lines particularly trim and tidy, clean throughout; additional urinals have been constructed
on the plan mentioned last year. There are now 3 for men, and 2 for women. They are
unquestionably a great conveniency, involving much less labour than ordinary pans; and
further observation strengthens the favourable opinion formerly expressed of this system.
Bad water has long been a source of well grounded complaint. But there is now promise
of speedy remedy, as measures for supplying cantonments by gravitation, from a reservoir
in the neighbouring hills, are advancing towards completion.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.