48
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The 13 cases invalided were for the following diseases:—
2 opacity of cornea.
1 valvular disease of heart.
2 varicose veins
2 enlarged spleen.
1 hepatitis.
2 defective vision.
1 secondary syphilis.
1chronic inflammation of knee joint.
1 debility.
15. A dead-house should be attached to the hospital.
16. None.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General HEWLETT.
I inspected the head-quarter wing 24th N. I. on the 20th December 1879. The Native
Infantry lines at Mehidpur have been frequently condemned. They have been placed in
exactly the worst site that could by any possibility have been selected. They are at the very
lowest end of camp, and when the river rises during the rains they are not unfrequently
flooded; deep drains have been cut, but they are not sufficient. The lines themselves, too,
are of the worst possible construction. The huts have no plinths; the only ventilation is
through doors and roof tiles, and the cubage of each hut is only 684 feet. Everything that
can be done to remedy such an unsatisfactory state of things has been done by Colonel Hen--
derson, the Commandant, who has set an example which I earnestly wish was ordered to be
carried out in every Native Infantry regiment in the Presidency, viz., he has compelled each
man to provide himself with a charpoy at a cost of about 12 annas. This excellent and
simple arrangement prevents the men sleeping on the damp ground, and I have no doubt
that it has had a beneficial effect on the health of the men. I am decidedly of opinion that
the cantonment at Mehidpur for health-reasons should be given up, but if it is to be con--
tinued, I think a site might be selected on the high ground above the native city. This
would, I believe, be better than the site of the old cavalry lines, which I believe was proposed.
I was pleased with my inspection of the hospital. I found all diaries of cases kept in the
handwriting of the medical officer, and his other arrangements were good. There is ample
accommodation in the old and new hospital. A dead-house, however, is much needed. The
contagious disease wards have been built objectionably close to two roads and to the officers'
quarters, The wing suffered severely from ague during the autumn, but at the time of my
inspection was in a fairly healthy condition.
24th Regiment N. I.
AUGAR.—In medical charge of Surgeon C. G. W. LOWDELL.
1. On the 1st of January 1879, the left wing of the 24th Regiment N. I. was quartered
at Augur, and the right wing at Mehidpur. The left wing
marched for Mehidpur, and was relieved by the right Wing in
February. Two companies of the right wing, B and D, arrived at Augar on the 18th of
February, and two companies, A and C, arrived on the 22nd February.
2. The lines consist of rows of tiled huts running east and west; there is ample space
between them, and a well between each at the west end. The
huts are built of unburnt brick, and have an average cubic space
of 760 cubic feet; in part of each is a small covered verandah,
separated from the room by a mud wall and a small bamboo door.
Part of this verandah is used for washing, and the water flows through a pipe into a mutkar
placed outside, which is emptied twice a day. Ventilation of the lines is very good, but of
the individual huts bad, consequent on there being no other opening but the door for the
admission of air. They are in good repair, and are in a good part of the cantonment
towards the north end, separated from the city of Augar by a tank, the Central India Horse
lines, and a piece of open maidan. At the opposite north end is the regimental garden for
the sepoys, and maidan with the officers' bungalows a short distance off. On the west is the
parade ground and the open country, and behind the lines is the open ground of camp with
a few trees. There are large trees in the lines which afford shade to the men, but no under-
wood or other shrubs.
Requirements and recommen--
dations.
Special observations, new ex-
- p e r i e n c e s i n t r e a t m e n t , s a n i t a t i o n ,
&c., &c.
Location and movements.
The lines and their surround-
ings; present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.