34
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The bulk of the regiment was stationary during the year; but the following detachments
and escorts were furnished by it.
Strength.
Where proceeded.
Date of Departure from
head-quarters.
Date of Return to
head-quarters.
(1) 84 . . .
Dwarka . . .
20th January . . . 22nd December.
(2) 8 . . .
wudwan . . . 3rd March . . . 16th March.
(3) 14 . . .
Kattywar Districts . . . 11th do. . . . 22nd do.
(4) 5 . . .
Wudwan . . . 22nd do. . . . 2nd April.
(5) 14 . . .
Kattywar Districts . . . 4th April . . . 14th June.
(6) 17 . . .
Wudwan . . . 31st May . . . 12th do.
(7) 5. . .
Chotila . . . 5th October . . . 12th October.
(8) 5 . . .
Do. . . . 12th do. . . . 17th do.
(9) 14 . . .
Kattywar Districts . . . 18th do. . . . 22nd November.
(10) 83 . . .
Dwarka . . . 22nd November . . . Still at Dwarka.
2. The general description of the lines has been given in the annual report of the 18th
Regiment N. I. for the year 1874. They are sufficiently commo
-dious, well ventilated, and clean; and have been kept in good
repair. There is only the natural surface drainage down to
the river; but, as there is a gentle slope in that direction, it is fairly complete. There is no
Regimental bazaar.
3. Permanent latrines are used during the monsoon months, and the "trench system"
during the rest of the year. No defects in the working of
either have been noticed.
The lines and their surround
- i n g s ; p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n , h y g i e n i c
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
4. The water supply has been ample during the year and
apparently wholesome, as no affection traceable to this cause has
occurred.
5 . T h e v a r i o u s g r a i n s w e r e v e r y e x p e n s i v e t i l l a f t e r t h e m o n s o o n , b u t n o w t h e y a r e a t a
fair price. Suitable "grain compensation" has been given
throughout the year. Vegetables are expensive.
The white jacket of the recruit was found to be an insufficient protection during the
cold. months, and a brown wadded one has been substituted. As a substitute for socks (which
are too expensive for the sepoy) foot rags, of two different descriptions, are under trial.
6 . T h e g u a r d d u t i e s w e r e a l i t t l e h e a v y ; b u t t h e y d o n o t a p p e a r t o h a v e i n f l u e n c e d t h e
general health unfavourably. There is a "talim-khana" in the
lines; and the recruits are put through a course of gymnastics.
The sepoys are given to taking exercise and amusing themselves
in various ways.
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercises, and amuse
-ments; their effect on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings; present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
7. The hospital is nicely situated, well ventilated, clean,
and in good repair. There is no accommodation for the medical
pupils, and that for the second class establishment is incomplete.
8. The general health of the regiment during the year under review compares very
unfavourably with that during the year 1878; the number of
admissions in the year 1879 being 1,846, and in the year 1878
only 708. Many of the men are much debilitated by repeated attacks of intermittent fever.
Most of the newly enlisted recruits are of good physique.
9 . T h e g r e a t p r e v a l e n c e o f i n t e r m i t t e n t f e v e r w a s d o u b t l e s s o w i n g t o t h e h e a v y r a i n f a l l
of the previous year. During the "cold season" bronchial
and pulmonic affections were pretty frequent, owing to the
severity of the weather.
10. The following diseases gave the greatest number of admissions—"fevers" 1.396, of
which 1,186 were for intermittent fever, 207 for febricula, and 3
for remittent fever; rheumatic affections 82, diseases of the
digestive system 84, of which 26 were for dysentery, 26 for diarrhœa, and 32 for colic; guinea-
worm, 32; contusions, 25; itch, 21; abscess, 19; and syphilis 17, of which 14 were primary
and 3 secondary.
General health and physique.
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.