NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
29
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
sion, rallied under the treatment for a time, but ultimately succumbed. The other, who was
similarly treated, made a good recovery. Injection in the case of the women and children
was not resorted to. The experiment however was not confined to the sepoys of the Regi
- ment who were attacked, but was repeated on some patients in the civil hospital, and, as I
think, with not unfavourable results. I believe that the successful treatment of cholera will
be found sooner or later in the use of remedies which will prevent the arrest of the urinary
secretion.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General T. B. BEATTY.
My annual inspection was made on the 26th November 1878. The lines, which are
exceptionally good, have now been occupied since May 1877, and are found to meet, as
regards accommodation, ventilation, and drainage, all requirements for Native Troops. The
defective latrine conservancy referred to by the Medical Officer should be improved through
communication with the Officer Commanding the Regiment, to whom the question has been
referred. The water supply is perfect and requires no remark. . The general health of the
Regiment improved by the change from Satara to Poona. At the former station, during the
months of August and September, the men suffered severely from the effects of fever
produced and aggravated in a great degree by their being compelled to live in huts Which
Surgeon Major Ross has very properly described as “not fit human dwellings.” The
remarks of the Medical Officer in respect to doing away with compensation on account of
dearness of provisions, under the head of food and clothing, are worthy of note. Similar
views are, I am aware, held by the Medical Officer of the 11th Regiment N. I., who attributed
in a great measure, to voluntary starvation, the inefficient condition of the men of the
Regiment on its arrival at Poona from Bhuj. The books and instruments were in admirable
order, and the diaries of cases carefully kept. The entire hospital management showed
that great care had been exercised on the part of the medical officer in charge and his
subordinates.
H. M.’s 5th Regiment N. I
.
.
POONA.—In Medical charge of Surgeons Major H. DAY and R. C. TH0RP.
Average Strength
687
Deaths in Hospital
4
Do.
Present...........
636
Do out of do.
2
Admissions
975
Invalided
33
Daily Sick
23.2
Sick Leave
7
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Belgaum
64.2
2.3
0.6
1876
Do.
187.7
3.7
.......
1877
Poona
139.7
3.1
0.8
Average......
130.5
3.0
0.5
1878
Poona
153.3
3.6
0.6
1. The head-quarters up to the 28th November were at Poona ; on that date the Regi-
ment moved by train in two detachments to Bombay, and on
the 29th embarked on board the steam transport “ Simoon ”
for Kurrachee, where they arrived at daybreak of the 2nd December. Whilst at Poona
detachments were sent to Nandgaum, Kirkee, and Ahmednagar. After arrival at Kurrachee,
a detachment was sent to Hyderabad.
8 m
Location and movement.
Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccina-
tion.
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
35
10. Out of 708 cases admitted, 333 were for quotidian ague, 42 for chronic rheumatism,
Details of treated.
35 for syphilis, and 82 for injuries, principally contusions of
the lower extremities. Diseases of the digestive system gave
53 admissions, 27 of the number being for dysentery, and 6 for diarrhœa. Five cases of
cholera occurred in the month of April, two having a fatal termination.
11. Nine deaths occurred during the year—2 from cholera, 2 from pneumonia, 2 from
Mortality and its causes.
dysentery, and 1 each from fatty degeneration of the heart, from
diarrhœa and from acute bronchitis.
12. Cholera appeared in the month of April, five men were attacked, three of whom
made a good recovery, Every precaution was taken to prevent
the spread of the disease. No cases of small-pox occurred
during the year.
13. Vaccination was very carefully attended to, and the
result was very satisfactory. Thirty children were primarily vacci-
nated and six recruits re-vaccinated successfully during the year.
14. Seventeen men were sent before the Invaliding Committee and were invalided,
four on account of chronic rheumatism, one for irritability of
bladder, one for secondary syphilis, one for opacity of right
Invaliding and its causes.
cornea, nine for debility and old age, and one for acute mania.
15. I have no other observations to make further than those I mentioned in my last
Requirements and recommend-
ations.
annual report in reference to the want of shutters, &c. for the
hospital and especially for the ophthalmic ward.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
Inspected 22nd February. The sick occupy the hospital lately vacated by the 28th, and
have sufficient and suitable accommodation. Quarters for 2nd class servants are wanting,
the shed lately in use haying fallen down. The Commandant has however promised materials,
and the hospital bearers will be employed to repair the walls pending more satisfactory
arrangements. The lines are the best in this circle, and surroundings, sanitarily, are all
fiuvourable. Since the regiment arrived there has been some increase of sick under ague,
otherwise health at date is normal.
H. M.'s 13th Regiment N. I.
MALEGAON.—In Medical charge of Surgeon S. B. HALIDAY.
Average Strength
694
Deaths in Hospital
4
Do.
Present
663
Do. out of do.
5
Admissions
703
Invalided
54
Daily Sick
22.6
Sick Leave
8
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
H o s p i t a l .
1875
Ahmednagar
80.5
2.2
0.3
1876
Malegaon and Ahmedabad
115 . 7
3.1
0.7
1877
Do.
do.
...
107.1
2.5
0.6
1878
Average...
101.1
2.6
0.5
Malegaon
106.0
3.4
0.6
Location and movements of
Corps.
1. The head quarters and main body of the regiment was
stationed during the year at Malegaon. The following detach--
ments were employed on Treasury Guard duty:—
Conservancy.
Water supply.
General health and physique.
38
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
2. The lines occupied by the left wing, the huts are clean and are in excellent sanitary
Lines and their surroundings.
condition, and in good repair.The sanitary condition of the
bazaar is well looked after.
3. The trench s y stem of latrines is in use, and works most satisfactorily. One
sweeper was left with the left wing hospital after the departure
of head-quarters.
4. The supply of water is generally sufficient and of
good quality.
5. The general health and physique of the wing was
good.
The total number
of cases treated from
21st November 1878 to 31st december
Details of treated.
1878 is 39. The chief diseases were the following, arranged
in the order of their frequency :—ague 19, syphilis primary 8,
colic 2, diarrhoea 2, chronic rheumatism 2.
7. The mixed cinchona alkaloids has been substituted for quinine in the treatment
Special observations, new ex-
periences in treatment, sanita-
tion. &c.
of ague. It answers very well in mild cases of this disease,.
but in the severe form of ague it fails, and I have found
quinine succeed generally in checking the disease.
H. M.’s 14th Regiment N. I.
BELGAUM.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major D. E. HUGHES, M.D.
Average Strength
700
Deaths in Hospital
16
Do.
Present....
636
Do out of do. ..
3
Admissions
726
Invalided
30
Daily Sick
27.9
Sick Leave
16
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Kolhapur
77.5
3.5
0.8
1876
Belgaum
82.6
3.5
3.1
1877
Do.
73.4
3.5
0.6
Average,.....
77.8
3.5
1.5
1878
Belgaum
114.1
4.4
2.5
1. The regimental head-quarters remained at Belgaum, while a company, one hundred
Location and movements,&c. strong, was on detachment duty at Kaladghi.
Lines and their surroundings.
2. Since last report no alterations have been made in the
lines, which are kept in good order.
3. The system of conservancy is the same as that described in previous reports. The
Conservancy.
latrines are well looked after; but nothing has been done
towards an improved disposal of the ablution water.
4. The water supply is plentiful and good. Since last report two new wells have been,
sunk by the civil authorities at the Nagjhirl. These wells are
sunk by the civil authorities at the Nagjhirl. these wells are
quadrangular in shape, lined with masonry platform
low wall. They arc not yet fitted With wooden covers, nor is there a masonry platform.
round them. The water from these wells is used by the high caste sepoys, being highly
appreciated by them. Colonel Hill, the Commandant, has generously supplied funds for the
sinking of wells for the use of the " Parwari" and other low caste men. These wells, which
are circular in shape and lined with stone, are rapidly approaching completion.
Water.
Food.
5. Food is becoming cheaper, and it is anticipated that
the price of grain will fall yet lower.
41
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Ahmednagar
85.0
2.4
0.3
1876
..
Do.
67.8
3.3
0.7
1877
Do.
101.3
2.9
1.2
Average,..
84.7
2.9
0.7
1878
Ahmednagar
124.3
3.5
2.2
1. The whole regiment was at Ahmednagar (where it had been stationary for the
Location.
previous two .years,) until J une, when the lett wing was detach-
ed to Poona. This wing remained in Poona until the 23rd
November, when it moved by rail to Ahmedabad, arriving on the 26th. The head quarters
left Ahmednagar on the 16th December and arrived on the 19th. The regiment occupies
the lines previously tenanted by the 1st Grenadiers.
2. The lines at Ahmednagar were in a fair state of repair
and clean and well drained.
3. The conservancy of the lines 'was considered fair. The regimental latrines well
situated and kept clean, but were complained of by the men
as too far from the lines (280 -yards). Men were often found
polluting the ground in front of their huts, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the hos-
pital and lines, and the erection of urinals in convenient places was recommended to obviate
this. The hospital latrine was kept clean. Dry earth was used, but the system could not
be perfectly carried out, no means of separating the urine and foeces being practicable.
4. The water supplied to the lines from the Kapurwarree aqueduct was of good
Lines.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
quality and abundant, except for about a month in the hot
weather, when there was a slight scarcity,
5. In the commencement of the year the grain forming the principal food of the men
was dear, lint of a fair quality. Towards the close of the year
grain became cheaper.
6.
Duties were severe fur same time after the detachment of the left wing went to
Poona in June, the men getting but three nights in bed. In
November a reduction of ward duties allowed them four nights
7. The hospital was in good repair, and afforded sufficient room for the sick during
Food.
Duties.
H o s p i t a l .
the year, except when a lire accident at the theatre suddenly
sent in twent y -two " burn" p atients. The cantonment hospital
was then utilized, which arrangement prevented any overcrowding. The hospital compound.
and surrounding ground were clean, open, and well drained.
General health.
8. The general health of the regiment was good, and the
physique of the maioritv of the men of fair standard.
9. The season was normal, the rainfall being about the average, and regular. Its
influence on the sick list was not very marked. The percentage
of sick to strengthh at Ahamednagar during the first five months
of the year with that of the succeeding wet months is given below :-
Months.
Rain.
Percentage of
admissions to
strength.
Average.
In.
Cents.
J anuary
7.7
7.7
February
5.1
March
5.9
April
71
6.5
May
. . .
8
13.3
June
.
1
78
10.6
9.8
July
3
69
8.9
August
7
94
9.1
September
6
88
10.2
October
2
84
10.6
Influence of climate.
11 qc
44
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
11. At Deesa amongst the families and followers mild small-pox was prevalent in
March, April, and May. Total admissions amounted to 22,
as follows :—males 8, females 2, children 12. Only one
death, the wife of a sowar. There were two cases of malignant cholera, one a sowar’s
daughter, the other the wife of a syce. In both cases the urine was suppressed for over 48
hours, re-action imperfect, and considerable secondary fever with intercurrent diarrhœa.
Convalescence was established after 17 days’ treatment.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
12. Thirty-nine children were successfully primarily vac-
cinated, and fifteen persons successfully re-vaccinated.
13. The causes of invaliding in whole Regiment were as follows, viz. :—General debility
Invaliding and its causes.
and worn out 15, fracture tibia compound 1, concussion of
brain 1, total 17. Two men were discharged with gratuity.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General BEATTY.
Only a portion of this regiment,. viz. the troop which returned from Cyprus and pro-
ceeded to Poona in September last, was inspected along with the 1st Lancers on the 3rd of
November last. The head-quarters with remainder of the regiment arrived during the
period of annual tour. The medical officer considers that the sullage from family quarters
percolating into the surrounding ground is likely to create miasma. A more perfect system
of drainage to carry off the waste water would be desirable. Conservancy is satisfactory and
the water supply excellent. General health of the regiment was very good. The hospital
was found in excellent repair, and its management generally all that could be desired.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
November 16th, 1878.—My inspection was satisfactory, alike as regards hospital arrange-
ments and the conduct of its duties, as well as in respect of the condition and cleanliness
of the lines generally. No alteration in hospital or offices since last visit, which are all in
good repair, very suitable, and amply sufficient. Health shows only a fractional increase in
daily sick to date, as compared with the same period of previous year, notwithstanding a
very considerable addition under ague from exceptionally heavy rainfall. Nothing unusual
has occurred throughout. The system of removal of urine from family quarters by puckals,
as formerly in practice, has been again resumed under regimental arrangement, the only
instance in the circle in which this salutary measure is adopted : other sullage being led out
from the huts to trees planted close by, as done elsewhere.
H. M.’s 3rd (Queen’s Own) Regiment Light Cavalry.
NEEMUCH.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major C. J. F. S. MACDOWELL.
Average Strength
484
Deaths in Hospital
1
Do.
Present
455
Do. out of do. ..,
1
Admissions
992
Invalided
36
Daily Sick
18.4
Sick Leave
.
12
Years.
I
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1875
Neemuch
116.9
3.6
0.2
1876
Do. and Nusseerabad...
133.8
3.5
0.4
1877
Do.
do.
...
103.8
2.8
......
1878
Average...
118.2
3.3
0.2
Neemuch
218.0
4.0
0.2
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
47
16. The cinchona alkaloids were given to the grooms and followers generally, and in
•
• Special observations, new
experiences in treatment, sanita-
tion, &c.
the form of pills seetmed to cause less vomiting than in solution
and to be of some use in preventing returns of the fever; some-
- t i m e s t h e y c a u s e d m u c h n a u s e a a n d v o m i t i n g a n d h a d t o b e l a i d
aside, but the fever was cured in about one-half of these cases (followers). Nitrate of amyl
inhalation succeeded in relieving symptoms in some cases, but utterly failed in my own
person. With regard to the etiology of the fever various surmises can be made—1St, the
rainfall (not very excessive) ; 2nd, the general malarial influence which was marked throughout
the whole of India this year; 3rd, the absence of trees near the European barracks. The
10th Regiment however and Cavalry have many trees in their lines on the flank or in front
or near &c., nevertheless almost every individual was attacked in both these Regiments. 4th,
the presence of the tank near the European barracks.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
My inspection (December 9th, 1878) was entirely satisfactory, all the more so that it
was made without any previous knowledge of my coming, and I was thus enabled to realize
that the sick are carefully attended to, and the duties faithfully and efficiently discharged.
The temporary hospital, in occupancy at the date of last inspection, has been vacated for
a Barrack, which affords ample and much better accommodation, with sufficient subsidiary
buildings. Lines clean, and improved in repair and drainage since last visit. Here, as at
Nusseerabad, the incidence of ague has been much less in the Cavalry than in the
Infantry. But in the case of the 10th Regiment it is to be remembered that the Corps
suffered much from that ailment during a three years’ residence at Mehidpur, and since
removal to Neemuch, at the end of 1876, there has been a constant excess in ague as the
outcome of malarious poisoning contracted at the former station.
H . M . ’ s
N o . 1 M o u n t a i n B a t t e r y .
RAJK0T.—In Medical charge of Surgeon R. H. BATTY.
Average Strength
126
Deaths in Hospital
....
2
Do.
Present
1.20
Do. out of do.
1
Admissions
287
Invalided
..
36
Daily Sick.
8.9
Sick Leave
12
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
H o s p i t a l .
1875
Rajkot
84.6
2.1
0.8
1876
Do.
70.0
2.5
0.8
1877
DO.
61.5
2.4
0.8
1878. .
Average
72.0
2.3
0.8
Rajkot
239.1
7.4
1.7
1. The Battery has been stationed at Rajkot during the year. A detachment composed
Location and movements.
of 46 men proceeded to Balacherie on the 11th November
1878 for target practice, and returned to this station on the
6th of the following month.
50
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
Poona
123.7
3.9
0.4
1876
Ahmedabad
124. 1
4.2
1.5
1877
Do.
94.3
3.3
0.8
Average ......
114.0
3.8
0.9
1878 ...
Ahmedabad
171.3
3.7
2.2
NOTE.—No annual report has been received from this regiment. The present Surgeon in charge, (A. Dane,)
writes that he joined the Regiment after the close of the year, that his predecessor, Surgeon Major Ogilvie, left no
data to go upon, and that he himself had no personal knowledge of the movements of the Regiment on which to
frame a report.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General WYLLIE.
November 7th, 1878. Inspected thus early the Regiment being under orders to march
and I about to leave on tour. Health less satisfactory than in previous year, and mortality
relatively high, 8 out of 12 deaths to date having happened by cholera, which lingered in the
station from May to July. Equipment and details of management satisfactory. At present
however with 79 sick the establishment is scarcely sufficient. Hospital in poor repair, the
brick floor much worn, and the ceiling in tatters: accommodation ordinarily adequate and
fairly suitable ; but at present overcrowded, and there are 3 tents in occupancy. There is no
contagious ward, and no privy for establishment and families. These wants should be sup-
plied and, as both native hospitals are close together, the same provision would serve for both.
The only unusual event was the appearance of enteric fever in April, and 2 deaths
unfortunately resulted before it was fully diagnosed. The runlets, here covered, leading
from family quarters were suspected, opened out, and the disease at once disappeared.
Elsewhere all such drains have been kept open under my advice, as they should invariably be,
to obviate the risks arising at night from the heated rarified air of the hut drawing sullage
vapour within.
I refer to this matter because in the changes of medical officer the present incumbent
cannot speak to the circumstances, and it should be added that as soon as the disease was
diagnosed, turpentine treatment was adopted and with uniform success.
H.M.'s 6th Regiment N. I.
MHOW.—In Medical charge of Surgeon D. N. PARAKH.
Average Strength
684
Do.
Present
641
Admissions
795
Daily Sick
17.2
Deaths in Hospital
16
Do. out of do.
6
Invalided
46
Sick Leave
15
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in Hospital.
1875
Belgaum
58.3
1.8
0.6
1876
Aden
62.6
2.1
0.6
1877
Do.
53.7
2 .3
1.1
Average
54.9
2.1
0.8
1878 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mhow
124.0
2. 7
2.6
83
SIND DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
SIND DIVISION.
Average Strength Present during the year
3,952
Average Daily Sick per cent. to the Average Strength Present
.
4.3
Ratio of Mortality per cent. to the Average Strength Present
1.2
H. M.’s 1st Sind Horse.
JACOBABAD.—In Medical charge of Surgeon J. MCCLOUGHRY.
Average Strength
488
Do.
Present
471
Admissions
480
Daily Sick
14.7
Deaths in Hospital
1
Do. out of do.
5
Invalided
23
Sick Leave
13
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
H o s p i t a l .
1875
Jacobabad
187.2
3.3
1.9
1876
D o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
211.2
4.3
1.5
1877
D o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
176.9
5.2
0.8
Average...
191.8
4.3
1.4
1878
Jacobabad
101.9
3.1
0.2
1. The Head-quarters of the Regiment remained in Jacobabad since last report.
Location and movement of
Troops.
A detachment of 184 men, which had been on escort duty with
Major Sandeman, Governor General’s Agent, in Khelat terri-
tory, returned on the 11th of February. Parties varying in
strength from 10 to 103 sabres were on duty at the various outposts in Katchi.
2. The accommodation in the pendals has been already described, and no changes
The lines and their surround
-ings.
have been made during the year, except repairing the damages
caused by the rains of August and September last. About 70.
men live in the married men’s quarters. All the buildings are
exceedingly damp on account of the attraction the salt in the soil has for the subsoil water,
which is very near the surface during the inundation season. Were they raised on plinths,
this might to a certain extent be obviated.
3. The latrines are simple enclosures without pans of any description. The filth is
Conservancy.
removed from them twice daily to a place about a mile from
camp, mixed with the litter from the horse lines, and burned.
On account of the great evaporation and the power of the sun’s rays, this is satisfactorily
accomplished.
4. The supply of the station has been previously reported on. The water of the out-
posts is extremely bad on account of dissolved impurities, Sooie
being worst in this respect. That of the latter contains large
quantities of common salt, and I also suspect the presence of some salts of magnesia. It acts
on a person unaccustomed to its use as a purgative of considerable power. There is some
reason to believe that this water may be a large factor in the production of scurvy, so com
- m o n a t t h i s o u t p o s t .
5. The circumstances of the men being as a rule good, they are able to purchase good
food when it is procurable. Excepting during a part of the
hot weather, when vegetables are scarce, all foods are plentiful
in Jacobabad. The scarcity of vegetables at the outposts calls for some interference, as
in all the parties coming from outpost duties I have examined, a scorbutic taint was
visible in the majority. Meat forms a portion of the diet of all but six men in the Regi-
ment. For the, sake of giving a smarter appearance, some changes have been lately made
Water supply.
Food and clothing.