41
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
The mixed cinchona alkaloid has been extensively used. I have not found irritability of
stomach, headache, or other immediate unfavourable effects
produced by its administration in doses of 10 to 20 grains.
But though persistently given in most cases of apparently
simple ague to the extent of 30 grains daily, it has failed in so large a proportion of them in
preventing recurrence of the paroxysms, that the year's experience does not enable me to
report favourably of its efficacy as an antiperiodic.
In very many cases in which the mixed alkaloid failed to effect cure, the use of quinine by
hypodermic injection was substituted, and generally with good results. The disadvantages
of its use in this way in regimental practice are that, to be safe, the instrument must be
a delicate one, which, in constant daily use in many cases, is very liable to gdt out of order;
and, however carefully the injections are made, inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous
tissue is sometimes caused, occasionally resulting in abscess and ulcer. Two instances of
such misfortune have occurred during the year in this hospital. Neither case gave much
trouble in the cure of the local injury, but kept the men in hospital more than a fortnight,
when otherwise well and fit for duty. The injection used was quinine 2 grains, diluted
sulphuric acid 1 minim, water 3 minims.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General HEWLETT.
Inspected 28th January. The regiment has been quartered at Ahmedabad throughout
the year. The lines are old and too near the bazaar; no plinths. Ventilation of huts
defective. During the year half-tile drains have been laid from each married sepoy's hut to a
central drain, which runs down the length of the lines, but at the further end the intercept
-
ing drain is so deep as to be in my opinion dangerous, and it abruptly ends in the earth, so
that the sullage which has been conveyed by it stagnates and becomes offensive. The water
supply is derived from wells; that for the Purwaries is the only one above the lines. All the
remaining wells are situated between the lines and the bazaar. They ought all to be covered
over, especially one beneath a large tree. The regimental privies are on the standard plan,
and those on the south side are very inconveniently situated across a steep nullah, which is,
as might be expected, fouled. The health of the regiment has not been good during the past
year, there having been during the autumn an epidemic of malarial fever which has debili
-
tated and much weakened the physique of the men. Other causes have also operated in
producing a lowered vitality among the men. The regiment had. to perform all the duties of
the station ordinarily shared by another Native Infantry Regiment. In September and
October the men only got two consecutive nights in bed, and during the latter part of
October even less. I was much pleased at my inspection at the efficient supervision main
-
tained by Surgeon Major Burrows over the hospital, &c. The number of sick was so large
that for many mouths he was compelled to utilize the adjacent hospital in addition to his
own. The hospital ceiling and flooring are in bad repair, and the hospital is too dark. The
surgery is too small, and there is not sufficient light in it. The hospital privy is in bad
order, and should in my opinion be removed and another one on a better plan be substituted
for it.
H. M.'s 20th Regiment N. I.
BARODA.—In medical charge of Surgeon Major H. DETATHAM, M.D.
Average Strength . . .
700
Deaths in Hospital . . .
10
Do. Present . . .
673
Do. out of Hospital . . .
1
Admissions . . . 2,097
Invalided . . .
23
Average Daily Sick . . .
58.8
Sick Leave . . .
35
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1876 . . .
Bombay . . .
119.1
7.0
2.1
1877 . . .
Do.
.
.
.
95.3
3.8
0.7
1878 . . .
Baroda . . .
156.7
3.3
1.5
Average . . .
123.7
4.7
1.4
1879 . . .
Baroda . . .
311.6
8 . 7
1.4
Treatment of malarious fever
with mixed alkaloid.