NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
27
vaccination or by previous attack of small-pox. The first case of small-pox occurred in
February and the last case in May. The largest number of admissions were in the month
of March.
There were three cases of chicken-pox in men and three in children, and there were
three cases of measles in children. All these cases recovered.
13. Vaccination and re-vaccination were diligently and
carefully performed.
( a) Primary vaccination
Successful
87
Unsucces sful
7
Total
94
(b) Re-vaccination
Successful
22
Unsuccessful
22
T o t a l
44
On the 31st December 1879 all the sepoys and recruits were protected by vaccination
or by small-pox marks. Nearly all the children were also protected. Those that were left
unprotected were either too ill or too young to be vaccinated.
14. In the whole regiment 58 men of all ranks were invalided for pension, six for
discharge, and one for discharge with gratuity, by the Annual
General Invaliding Committee. Seven more were pensioned
independently of a Medical Board, as they were men of over 32 years' service. Three more
were invalided by Special Invaliding Committees which assembled from time to time. And
lastly, one man was sent to the Lunatic Asylum, Colaba.
Chronic bronchitis and incipient phthisis pulmonalis, 1; old age and general debility,
45; varicose veins and general debility, 1; chronic rheumatism, 2; general debility,
15; acute dementia, 1; phthisis pulmonalis, 1; scorbutic ulcer and debility, 1; acute
mania 2 (one of these sent to Colaba) ; long service, i.e. , over 32 years' service, 7.
There were 18 men sent on sick leave suffering from—chronic rheumatism, 1; general
debility, 1: sent from Indore from the right wing; phthisis pulmonalis, 1; dyspepsia, 1;
dysentery, 1; secondary syphilis, 1; chronic bronchitis, 1; acute bronchitis, 1; ague, 10:
sent from head- quarters from Mhow.
15. All the defects already pointed out in the huts may be removed. There is hospital
accommodation for women and children required, as the native
women appreciate European medicine much more now than they
did formerly, and the men have not so much objection to their
being treated in hospital, particularly in Mahratta regiments.
A filter for dispensary use is much wanted. All the European officers drink filtered
water in their houses, and their medicines, I think, ought to be made up with filtered water
also. Mattresses for the men are very much needed, as in these large hospitals, which are far
too much ventilated for native constitutions, they feel the cold very much, and without
mattresses, or at the least straw bedding, their backs get very cold. Several unprofessional
visitors to the hospital noticed this want and strongly urged on me to represent it.
16. One case of acute rheumatism was treated with salycilic acid in 20 grain doses
every two, three, and four hours, according to the daily decreas-
ing severity of the disease. The man was discharged cured
in seven days. There was no heart complication. I obtained some iodoform privately for
trial. I tried it in three cases of bad ulcer resulting from slight injuries and slight burns in
some of the cachectic recruits above alluded to. The ulcers were very unhealthy-looking,
with an uncontrollable tendency to spread and very obstinate to heal. After their spread was
checked by strong caustics, they refused to heal until iodoform dissolved in ether was applied,
which acted immediately. This application relieved the pain and brought them to a healthy
condition. In one case of sloughing syphilitic sore, the same application proved very success-
ful. In bilious and malarious headaches, podophylin dissolved in absolute alcohol was used
in drop doses, as recommended by Dr. Ringer, and its action was very beneficial when thus
given. Croton chlorate hydrate also was tried in hemicrania with marked benefit. As cinchona
mixed alkaloids have already established their reputation as antiperiodics, I need not say
much about them. I always use them in mild cases, and in the majority of cases of ordinary
ague with success. I reserve quinine for bad cases, for obstinate cases, and for officers with
whom the alkaloid is not so useful as quinine. I believe the cinchona alkaloid does not
produce nausea and vomiting if given in the form of a pill, and particularly if given in
combination with minute doses of morphia.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommend-
ations.
Special Observations.