60
MEDICAL AND SASITARY REPORT OP THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
6 0 M E D I C A L A N D S A N I T A R Y R E P O R T O F T H E N A T V E A R M Y O F B O M B A Y . The diseases for which they got leave were ague 3, remittent fever 2, bronchitis 2,
abscess 1, dysentery 1, debility 1, lumbago 1, mumps 1, nephritis 1, pemphigus 1, rhenma
- t i s m 6 , s c u r v y 1 , s p r a i n 1 , s y n o v i t i s 1 , a n d s y p h i l i s 1 .
The physique of the men is generally good. They, differ in size considerably, according
to their nationality, the Mahrattas being usually smaller men than those from the Punjaub
and north of India. Of the different castes and religions, there are 23 Rajputs and Brahmins,
58 Sikhs, 1 Dogra, and 453 other Hindoos. Of Mahomedans there are 32 Punjaubi Mussul
- m a n s , 3 P a t h a n s , a n d 7 0 o t h e r M a h o m e d a n s . O f N a t i v e C h r i s t i a n s t h e r e a r e 1 6 , a n d 2 2
others of no caste.
9. nephritis.The climate seems to have had a beneficial effect on the men at Satara, as they have not
suffered so much from malarial fevers as they did in Poona,
Influence of climate.
their previous station. The duties there were much heavier,
however, and that, I have no doubt, caused more disease. There was the greatest number
of admissions for ague during, the months of August and September, which is the rainy
season, and the men sleeping on the ground, as well as the damp state of their huts, tends to
increase the amount of sickness. The climate of Satara is considered good, but during the
cold season a nasty east wind often blows, which does not agree with every one, and causes
rheumatic and neuralgic as well as respiratory complaints. The healthiest season of the
year for the sepoys seems to be during the hot months of April and May. The season has
been normal, and the rainfall about the average.
10. The total number of admissions numbered 752 against a total of 1,345 for 1878,
.
which shows a decrease of 593. This has been chiefly in the
Details of treated
number of malarial fevers, the total of that disease in 1878
having been 938 against 366 for the present year. The average daily sick for 1878 was
31.6 against 23.5. The total treated at Satara was 461, at Bombay 151, and at Asirgarh 140.
The most prevalent diseases were ague 359 cases, of which 241 were at Satara, 52 at
Bombay, and 66 at Asirgarh. Of remittent fever there were only 7, 6 at Satara and 1 at
Bombay. Of acute rheumatism 5 at Satara and 1 at Bombay, total 6. There were 22 cases
of primary syphilis at Satara, 4 at Bombay, and 1 at Asirgarh, total 27. This disease is rather
common at Satara, there being no sort of check on the bazaar women, a Lock Hospital not
having as yet been established. Of eye diseases there were 17 cases of conjunctivitis, 9
occurring at Satara, 2 at Bombay, and 6 at Asirgarh. Of bronchial catarrh 11, of which 5
at Satara and 6 at Bombay; and bronchitis 22, 5 at Satara, 3 at Bombay, and 14 at
Asi r gar h. Of di ar r hœa 16 cases, at Sat ar a 9, at Bombay 6, and Asi r gar h 1. Of dysent er y 15
c a s e s , a t S a t a r a 6 , a t B o m b a y 7 , a n d A s i r g a r h 2 . O f g o n o r r h œ a 8 , a t S a t a r a . O f o r c h i t i s
7, at Satara 5 and Asirgarh 2. Of itch 14 cases, at Satara 10, Bombay 3, and
A s i r g a r h 1 . O f c o n t u s i o n s 5 8 c a s e s , 3 5 a t S a t a r a , 1 1 a t B o m b a y , a n d a t A s i r g a r h 1 2 .
Only one case of cholera occurred, and that was in the Bombay detachment. The actual
number of men treated for all diseases was 232, and the actual number for ague 159.
The number of men treated once for ague was 102, twice 43, thrice 8, four times 3, five
times 1, and six times 2. January, July, August, and September were the months in which
the greatest number of sick were admitted.
11. The number of deaths which took place in hospital was four, of which two occur-
red at Satara, one from remittent fever and one from broth.
Mortality, and its causes.chitis, and at Bombay two, one from scurvy and one from
remittent fever. Two men died out of hospital, one from bronchitis and one from nephritis.
12. There has been no epidemic amongst the men during the year.There was one
case of cholera in the detachment at Bombay, which recovered.
The districts here seem to have been very free of cholera for
. some time back.
13.This has been carried on amongst the children, and 23 cases were successfully vac-
cinated. The families go away for months to their own villages
Vaccination. and the children are not to be got for vaccinating until their
return,. and thus in some years a greater number is done than in others.
14.The total number invalided was 31. The causes as follows for general debility,
4 for ague and debility, 1 ophthalmia, 1 chronic rheumatism, 2
Invaliding and its causes. short sight, 1 abdominal aneurism, 1 retinitis, 1 choroido-retinitis,
1 presbyopia, 2 chronic bronchitis, 1 bronchial catarrh, 1 hernia, 1 internal hœmorrhoids,
1 palpitation, and 8 old and worn-out.
15.As has often been stated, new lines and hospital with subsidiary buildings are
very much wanted; also a better supply of good drinking
water. The former have been already sanctioned, and should
be built as soon as possible. The present .ones are not either
clean, comfortable, or healthy, and the cubic space for each hut too small. The drains also
should be lined with masonry to prevent soakage.
Epidemics.
Requirements and recommen
-dations.