36
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Year.
Station.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in Hospital.
1876 . . .
Malegaon and Ahmedabad.
115.7
3.1
0.7
1877 . . .
Do. do. . . .
107.1
2.5
0.6
1878 . . .
Malegaon . . .
106.0
3.4
0.6
Average . . .
109.6
3.0 0.6
1879 . . .
Mhow . . .
118.0
2.2
0.6
1. The head-quarters and right wing were stationed here till 27th March, when this
wing went to Indore, where it has been located till the 22nd
December, when it came into Mhow and remained till the
present. The left wing arrived here from Malegaon on 16th
March, and has been here ever since.
2. The lines are built on a stoney plain, mixed with some black earth, situated on the
northern extremity of the cantonment, having a slight slope
towards the east; they are constructed according to the stand
- a r d p l a n o f 3 r d M a y 1 8 6 4 , b u t w i t h o u t p l i n t h r u n a l m o s t p e r p e n d i c u l a r l y n o r t h a n d s o u t h ,
are built of sun dried bricks faced externally only with burnt bricks, and single-tiled roof.
The lines, from action of age, climate, and rats, are only in a very middling condition, and
the roofs are undulating, and sagged considerably in several places from the sinking in of
the wood-work. Ventilation is free through the doors and roofs; these latter leak in the
rainy season, and the floors being worn down, the water is retained in the huts. The drainage
is surface, and is fairly effective. They are bounded on the north and west by an open plain, on
the east, at a distance of 100 feet, by the 6th N. I . lines, and on the south by the commence
- m e n t o f t h e c a n t o n m e n t .
3. The latrines are situated on the open plain about 300 yards to the north of the lines,
are 3 in number, on the standard plan, containing 28 seats
each; 2 are for males, and 1 for females. They are attended
to by 3 male and 1 female sweepers, who are paid by Government. The ordure is collected
from the pans into large covered iron receptacles, which are emptied into an iron tank cart,
which attends morning and evening, and conveys the ordure to a distance, where it is buried.
Trench latrines near the permanent ones were used from the 17th January till 21st June, when
the permanent ones were again used. The trench latrines suited satisfactorily. The lines
are cleansed by 1 sweeper per company, who is paid by the men.
4. Good and sufficient water is drawn by leather and iron buckets, lotas, &c. from
several wells conveniently situated near the lines, and are not
exposed to any appreciable contamination. There are eight
regimental bheesties, viz. one for each company, but these bheesties do not supply water to
the men, only to the various guards and native officers; the men supply themselves.
5 . F o o d w a s p l e n t i f u l a n d o f f a i r q u a l i t y , b u t r a t h e r d e a r ; t h i s w a s c o m p e n s a t e d f o r b y
grain allowance. It had not any special effect on the health of
the men. The clothing seemed sufficient, but ought to be looser.
6 . T h e s e c o n s i s t e d o f t h e u s u a l r o u t i n e d u t i e s o f a c a n t o n m e n t , a n d h a d n o s p e c i a l
effect on the health of the sepoys. There is a good well
-conducted gymnasium attached to the regiment, where the
sepoys are taught various exercises, and all recruits have to
go through a three months' course of training in it. Occasionally and on native holidays
they wrestle, and during the gymkhana here they entered and won several of the sports.
These had no special effect on the health of the men. The average number of consecutive
nights in bed was 6.
7 . T h e h o s p i t a l i s s i t u a t e d 5 0 y a r d s t o t h e e a s t o f t h e 6 t h N . I .l
i n e s , w h i c h i n t e r v e n e
between the hospital and the 13th N. I. lines, so that the
hospital is about 300 yards distance to the east of the 13th
N. I. lines. On the north, at 70 yards distance, is the 6th
N. I. Hospital; on the south, at 123 yards, is the 6th N. I.
Location and movement of
troops.
Lines and their surroundings.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercise, and amuse
-ments; their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate sur
-roundings; present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.