NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
23
The physique of the men is on the whole good, and that of the majority of the recruits
enlisted this year excellent.
9. Prior to the monsoon the heat was greatly felt. The rainfall of 23.94 inches was
considerably in excess of previous years, that for 1877 being
11.48 inches and for 1878 19.4 inches. To this cause may be
attributed much of the malarious fevers which occurred. Owing
to the scarcity and high price of fresh vegetables during the hot months, the want of this
article of diet was much felt, and served to re-develop the scorbutic taint which was originally
contracted by residence in Aden. Much of the ague and lung affections from which the men
suffered may be attributed to the fact of their not being provided with cots, coupled with the
dampness of the huts on account of the lowness of the plinths.
10. There were 1,423 admissions, which, with 22 remaining from the previous year,
gives a total of 1,445 treated. Of the admissions, 1,178 were
for ague. Most of the cases of this affection were not severe,
and yielded to cinchona mixed alkaloids, but some were very intractable, and with these the
mixed alkaloid had to be replaced by quinine. Many were complicated with bronchial catarrh
and gastric irritability.
Remittent fever furnished three severe cases, which were followed by protracted con
-valescence.
There were 51 admissions for diseases of the respiratory system, including 22 for
bronchitis, with one death; 9 for pneumonia, with 3 deaths, and 16 for bronchial catarrh.
Dysentery gave 7 admissions, which all recovered under the ipecacuanha treatment.
Five cases of syphilis were treated (2 primary and 3 secondary). There were also 4
cases of scurvy (2 of which were severe), 2 of phthisis pulmonalis, 15 of diarrhœa, 1 of acute
and 4 of chronic rheumatism, 8 of lumbago, 18 of eye affections, including 15 of conjunctivitis,
and 1 of keratitis. The admissions for wounds and accidents and other causes call for no
special remark.
11. There were 12 deaths in hospital during the year. Of these, 6 are returned under
the head of ague, and include one case in which the fever
assumed the remittent type. Acute bronchitis was the cause
of 1 death, and pneumonia of 3. One case of obstructive jaundice terminated fatally, as
did also a case under treatment for general debility. In the latter instance the post mortem
examination revealed a subperitoneal abscess pressing on the liver and right kidney. There
was also ulceration of the large intestine. Death was preceded by diarrhoea for a few days.
Of the cases enumerated, 7 were taken ill on the line of march between Ahmedabad and Nu
s - s e e r a b a d , a n d d i e d e i t h e r w h i l e o n t h e m a r c h o r s h o r t l y a f t e r a r r i v i n g a t t h i s s t a t i o n . T h e
causes of death in these cases were, ague complicated with pneumonia 3, ague and pleurisy
1, pneumonia 3. Two men died of acute bronchitis while absent from the regiment.
12. Vaccination has been strictly attended to. There were 41 primary and 13 re-vac
-cinations during the year. All the former and 11 of the latter
were successful. Although small-pox was exceedingly prevalent
in the Sudder bazaar, the regiment has been exempt from it. There are not any unprotected
people in the regiment at present.
13. Twenty-nine men were invalided by the General Invaliding Committee. Of these,
17 were for general debility, 1 for asthma, 1 for valvular heart
disease, 1 for chronic bronchitis, 1 for phthisis pulmonalis, 1
for chronic rheumatism, 4 for defective vision (3rd class shots), 1 for opacity of the cornea,
and 2 for diuresis. One man was discharged for physical disability.
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.
Mortality and its causes.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommend
-ations.
14. The huts and native officers' quarters should be
newly roofed without delay, as they are quite unfit for another
rainy season.
The western half of the hospital verandah ought to be provided with moveable jhamps,
similar to those at the eastern side. A large amount of additional accommodation would
then be provided for patients during the autumn months, when the admissions for ague are
so numerous, and the necessity for utilizing tents would be avoided.
It was recommended that such of the men as required them should have an allowance
of fresh vegetables and lime-juice when the tendency to scurvy was prevalent. The issue
was sanctioned, and the most beneficial results ensued.