69
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
tents pitched near the old fort in the town; three of these proved fatal and one recovered.
The sanitary condition of the town was very unsatisfactory. Drainage was defective, and the
drinking water derived from the river was muddy and very impure. This was brought to
the notice of the Commanding Officer, who immediately made arrangements for the supply
of good well water to the men on the guard. From that time not a single case occurred
amongst our men. though the disease was prevalent in the town for about a fortnight after that.
13. The total number of primary vaccinations was 43, of which only one was unsuc
-cessful. There were 93 re-vaccinations, of which 28 were
successful.
14. Twenty-six men were invalided for the following causes :—Old and worn-out
10 (six of these having served over 32 years were pensioned
off without medical examination), impaired vision 6, chronic
rheumatism 1, chronic bronchitis 1, scurvy 1, sprained wrist with thickening 1, and physical
disability 5.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding, and its causes.
Requirements and recommen
-dations.
15. A good filter for dispensary use is required very
much.
16. Cinchona febrifuge was largely used as a substitute for quinine, and found very effi -
cacious in the treatment of intermittent fever. From the 1st
February to the end of the year 249 cases of ague were treated
by the administration of the cinchona alkaloids given in doses
varying from 5 to 30 grains, two or three times a day, accord -
ing to the severity of symptoms. All of these cases were discharged cured. The ague from
which these men suffered was free from visceral complications. The average number of
days in hospital was 7. The longest stay in hospital was nineteen days and the shortest
two days. In some cases the febrifuge caused gastric irritability, but on inquiry I found
that in all such cases it was by mistake given on a loaded stomach. I am of opinion that it is a
very valuable remedy, and has marked antiperiodic powers in ordinary uncomplicated ague.
In chronic ulcers and venereal sores the topical application of iodoform was tried with
marked success. Indolent ulcers that remained open for months and baffled all treatment,
rapidly healed up under its use. I have tried the boracic lint prepared according to Pro
-fessor Lister's directions as an application to shoe-bites, small ulcers, and superficial abrasions,
and think that it heals the sores more rapidly than the usual carbolized oil-dressing.
I am happy to state that Hospital Assistants Bhajoo Mahadhoo and Peerajee Sewajee and
Passed Medical Pupil Ramchunder Wamon have performed their duties to my satisfaction.
H. M.'s 17th Regiment N. I.
DHARWAR.—In medical charge of Surgeon H. W. BOYD.
Average Strength . . .
680
Deaths in Hospital . . .
3
Do.
present . . .
643
Do. out of Hospital . . .
1
Admissions . . .
617
Invalided . . .
2 7
Daily Sick . . .
19.8
Sick Leave . . .
10
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1876 . . .
Surat . . .
189.0
5.6
2.4
1877 . . .
Do.
. . .
210.9
4.2
0.8
1878 . . .
D o . . . .
1 6 9 . 1
3.7
3.7
Average . . .
189.6
4.5
2.3
1879 . . .
Dharwar . . .
95.9
3.1
0.4
Special observations, new ex
-periences in treatment, sanitation,
&c.
1. The Regiment arrived here by three detachments. The head-quarters on the 25th
December 1878, the 2nd Detachment on the 4th, and the 3rd
Detachment on the 20th January 1879. B Company proceeded
Location and movements.