NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
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xviii
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CABUL EXPEDITION.
Sappers and Miners, Afghanistan
90
3rd Sind Horse do. 91
1st Grenadiers Regiment N. I. do.
95
19th Regiment N. I., Bolan Pass
.....
99
30th do. Quetta
103
STATISTICAL TABLE.
Statement showing the sickness and mortality among the Native Troops in the Bombay
Presidency during the year
..
110
Summary of do.
do.
.
112
APPENDIX.
Annual General Return exhibiting the sick of Her Majesty's Native Troops in the Bombay
Presidency
113
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT
OF THE
NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY,
FOR THE
YEAR 187 9.
(The Regiments are placed as they stood in the Army List on the 1st of
1879.)
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
Average Strength present during the year
2,723
Average Daily Sick per cent. to the Average Strength Present
4.6
Ratio of Mortality per cent. to the Average Strength Present
1.2
Aden Troop.
KHOR MAKSAR.—In Medical charge of 1st Class Hospital Assistant GUNGAJI RAMJI.
Average Strength
.
100
Do.
Present
86
Admissions
180
Daily Sick
3.5
Deaths in Hospital
1
Do.out of Hospital......................
. . .
Invalided
1
Sick Leave
4
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1876
.
Khor Maksar
176.5
6.8
0.1
1877
D o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
159.0
4.0
......
1878
D o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
204.2
4.4
......
Average......
179.9
5.0
......
1879
Khor Maksar
. ..
209.3
4.1
1.2
A
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding, and its causes.
Requirements and recommend-
-ations.
Special observations.
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
12. There has been no epidemic disease in the Troop during the year, but in the town
there was an outbreak of small-pox, imported by pilgrims
returning from Mecca.
13. Eight children have been successfully vaccinated during the year ; the lymph was
Epidemics.
good and the vesicles well formed and left good cicatrices.
There was no re-vaccination carried out during the year.
14. One man was invalided for palpitation of heart and
general debility.
15. There has been nothing particular to recommend or
require.
16. I have not followed any new plan of treatment since
assuming charge of the Troop.
9th Regiment N. I.
BOMBAY.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major P. COCKELL.
Average Strength
693
Do.
Present
642
Admissions
..
909
Daily Sick
25.0
Deaths in Hospital
6
Do. out of Hospital
2
Invalided
51
Sick Leave
30
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1876
Baroda
68.2
1.8
0.9
1877
Do.
71.2
2.2
1.9
1878
Bombay, Malta, and Cyprus
121.8
2.9
1.0
Average......
87.0
2.3
1.3
1879
Bombay
141.5
3.9
0.9
1. The Regiment has been stationed at Bombay the whole year. One detachment of
Location and movements.
16 men is stationed at Junjira and has been relieved twice this
year. Another detachment of 89 men, under one European
and two Native officers, went after the dacoits in the Konkan at Mahar in the month of
November, and are still out in the district.
2. The lines were fully described last year. They are situate between the Crawford
Market and Carnac Bunder, having the native town on the
north, and Municipal buildings and workshops and sweepers’
lines on the south. On the north, at the extreme easterly
corner, is the sewage pumping station for that part of the native
town, and the smell is disagreeable when the wind sets in from the north-east. There are
ten blocks of pendals facing north and south, and ample accommodation is provided for the
Regiment.
3. There is one general latrine divided into two parts, for women and for men, and
properly flushed with water by the sweepers after use, for
which purpose there are four stop cocks in each division, and
the filth mixed with water runs into the pumping station close at hand, from whence it is
pumped into the sea about 400 Yards off through a large sewer. The number of seats in the
at ri n e is said to be too few, there being only 14 each side, 28 in all, and half of these are
lor women, and the number of people using them is about 1,200.
4. The water is Vehar water, and is supplied by the Municipality. It is contained
in four large iron tanks, which hold 700 gallons each ; the
amount is unlimited, sufficient for every use, both for washing
and drinking.
Lines and their surroundings ;
present condition, hygienic and
otherwise.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
Water supply.
Food and clothing.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings ; present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.
5
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
21st Regiment N. I.
BOMBAY.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major W. H. COLVILL.
Average Strength
695
Do.
do. Present
666
Admissions ...
1,227
Daily Sick
....
25.7
Deaths in Hospital
8
Do. out of Hospital
2
Invalided
38
Sick Leave
36
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average
Strength present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
H o s p i t a l .
1876
Bombay
80.6
2.5
0.4
1877
Do.
.
82.8
2.5
1 . 1
1878..
Do. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
150.4
4.3
1.3
Average
104.6
3.1
0.9
1879
Bombay
184.2
3.8
1.2
1. The head-quarters and main body has as usual been stationed in Bombay, besides
furnishing the usual detachments in course of annual relief
Location and movements.
to the Persian Gulf and Indian Government steam vessels,
as per subjoined details
Baghdad
16
Bushire
25
Bassadore
10
Gwadur
..
23
Jask
78
I. G. S. S. Dalhousie
8
Ditto A byssinia
8
Ditto Magdala
8
The lines and their surround-
íngs ; present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
2. The same as reported in previous year.
3. The same as reported in previous year.
4. From Vehar by means of cast iron pipes for drinking purposes, and from wells in and
near the lines for washing and other purposes ; the quality of
the Vehar water has been excellent and the supply is abundant.
5. It seems desirable the sepoy should be fed, for if he
had a large family, he starves himself to feed it.
The clothing is. sufficient for the climate in which he serves, but he certainly ought to
be obliged to wear stockings to prevent sore feet.
6. Not heavy, the men had on an average 3.94 nights in bed during the year at head-
Duties, exercise, and amuse-
ments ; their effects on health.
quarters. The amusements of the men are principally of their
own invention. A few young sepoys compete for the prizes at
the annual running, jumping, climbing and sack races on the
Esplanade.
7. The hospital accommodation has been sufficient, and
there was no overcrowding ; the hygienic condition of the
hospital and its surroundings has been the same as reported
before.
8. The general health and physique of the men has been
on the whole fairly good.
The regiment is recruited from the two classes of men, viz. Mohamedans from N. W.
Provinces, and low caste Hindoos, called Purwarees and Moochees, from the Concan. The
total number of admissions has been 1,227 during the year, including all the Detachments
now serving in the Persian Gulf and on the Government steam vessels, with the exception of
the Detachment at Baghdad.
B
Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
6
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The total number of patients treated at the head-quarters amounted to 566, including
15 last remaining ; 676 were from various detachments.
The following table gives the number of admissions at the head-quarters and
detachments mentioned below :—
Head-
quarters.
Gwadur.
Jask.
Bushire. Bassadore. I. G. S. S.
Dalhousie.
I. G. S. S.
Abyssinia.
I. G. S. S.
Magdala.
Admissions ...
551
272
269
13
122
......
......
......
9. Throughout the year the health of the men of the detachments at Gwadur and
Jask has been greatly reduced by the effect of that climate and
malarious fever. Many of the men were sent from the Persian
Gulf owing to their debilitated condition requiring medical aid
sick furlough, or invaliding at last.
10. The treatment of the sepoy is unsatisfactory and must remain so until there is some,
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.
means of dieting him. I joined the regiment only at the end
of September 1879, so I cannot enter much into its health or
details of treatment.
11. During the year under report there have been 10 deaths. Eight were at the head-
quarters and two on sick leave at their homes. Four died
from dysentery ; out of this three were arrivals from the
Persian Gulf. Two from hepatitis, one from remitten ť fever, and one from suicide (gun shot
wound) ; the case of suicide was brought to the hospital and died within five minutes.
Mortality and its causes.
12. No epidemics.
13. 59 children have been primarily vaccinated during
the year, out of which four were unsuccessful and rest were
successful.
14. 38 men were invalided during the year, and their causes as follows :—5 from
rheumatic affections, 3 from syphilis, 3 from scurvy, 2 from
nervous diseases, 5 from eye diseases, 1 from enlarged spleen,
18 from old age and worn-out by long service, and 1 from fistula in ano.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommend-
ations.
Special observations, new ex-
periences in treatment, sanita-
tion, &c.
15. A dissecting table is highly needed in the dead-
house.
16. None.
25th Regiment N. L. I.
ADEN.—In Medical charge of Surgeon Major M. HEFFERNAN.
Average Strength
663
Do.
Present
644
Admissions
504
Daily Sick
32.9
Deaths in Hospital
4
Do. out of Hospital
3
Invalided
29
Sick Leave
39
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1876
Mhow and Indore
130.4
5.1
0.1
1877
Do.
...
133.2
3.8
0.3
1878
Aden
86.2
2.2
0.3
Average . .
116.6
3.7
0.2
1879
Aden
78.3
5.1
0.6
Vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.
13
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
11. Mortality, 19.
Names of Diseases.
Died in
Hospital.
Died out
of Hospital.
Ague, quotidian
6
. . . . . .
Acute rheumatism
1
. . . . . .
Remittent fever
1
. . . . . .
Dysentery
2
. . . . . .
Diarrhœa
1
1
Bronchitis, chronic
1
......
General debility
2
1
Sudden death
. . . . . .
1
Cholera
. . . . . .
2
12. None.
13. All the recruits on arrival are sent to the Civil Hospital, where they are vaccinated
by the Municipal vaccinator ; but almost all are protected before
enlistment. These cases are not as a rule successful.
14. Table showing the number of men invalided, and its
causes :—
Debility.
D e f e c t i v e
Vision.
Enlargement
of Spleen.
Hepatic
Abscess.
Inguinal
Hernia.
Partial
Paralysis.
Varicose
Veins.
Total.
30
1
1
1
1
1
1
36
Discharged for physical disability, 12.
15. None.
16. In reviewing the report, I may add that the cases of scurvy that occurred in Surat
were in men who had been left in Rajkot with the left wing and in men who had contracted
it there. The excess of diarrhœa and dysentery I believe is owing to the men, on their
arrival at Surat, drinking the river water and water from wells which were not to be used,
rather than trouble themselves to go to a distance. The cases of bronchitis, although more in
number, were less intense, and so with the ague, the temperature of which rarely exceeded
100°, except in those cases which proved fatal, where the temperature reached as high as 105°.
No.1 Company Sappers and Miners.
A DEN.—In Medical charge of Surgeon-Major J. W. HEFFERNAN.
Average Strength present
60
Admissions
48
Daily Sick
2.1
Deaths
...
Invalided
6
Sick Leave
1
Ratio per cent. to average strength present—
Admissions
80.0
Daily Sick
3.5
Deaths
. . .
Location and movements.
1. The company has been stationed in the Crater Position
during the year.
21
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Special observations, new ex
-periences in treatment, &c.
16. In my hands the cinchona febrifuge has proved
successful in the treatment of the majority of cases of intermittent
fever occurring in the men of the battery.
Remarks by Deputy Surgeon-General HEWLETT.
Marched from Rajkot before my arrival at the station, so that I had no opportunity of
inspecting it.
H. M.'s 2nd Prince of Wales Own Regiment N. I. (Grenadiers).
NUSSEERABAD.—In medical charge of Surgeon G. H. BULL, M.D.
Average Strength . . .
688
Do. do. present . . .
604
Admissions . . .
1,423
Daily Sick . . .
51.9
Deaths in Hospital . . .
12
Do. out of Hospital . . .
2
Invalided . . .
30
Sick Leave . . .
24
Years.
Station.
Rate per cent. to Average
Strength present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in Hospital.
1876 . . .
Belgaum . . .
63.8
2.6
0.8
1877 . . .
Do. . . .
56.4
3.0
1.4
1878 . . .
Do. . . .
80.4
2.9
0.4
Average . . .
66.8
2.8
0.9
1879 . . .
Nusseerabad . . .
235.6
8.6
1.9
1. The Regiment left Belgaum for Nusseerabad on 12th November 1878. It marched
in two detachments from Ahmedabad. The head-quarters,
consisting of five companies, leaving on 9th December, arrived
at Pallee on the 1st January, and at Nusseerabad on the 14th January 1879. The other
detachment, consisting of three companies, left Ahmedabad on 17th December 1878, halted
at Kooshawarra on 1st January, and arrived at Nusseerabad on the 25th January 1879. The
Regiment has since been located in Nusseerabad.
2. The lines, constructed on the standard plan, are situated on rather low ground at
the south end of the camp.
They consist of fifteen blocks of pendals facing north and
south. Each block contains 22 huts in two rows placed back
to back. The huts are built of sun dried bricks and mud with
single tile roofing. The plinths are only 10 inches in height. The central street, running
east and west, is 105 feet 6 inches in width; the cross streets are 39 feet.
The verandahs in the married quarters are partially closed. The married and single
men's quarters are of similar dimensions. Each hut has a superficial area of 75.5 square feet
and a cubic space of 831 cubic feet.
There is a small ventilator in the roof of each hut, but most of the foul air escapes
through apertures between the tiles. The principle adopted in the construction of the roofs
is most defective. During the rains the water actually pours through and renders many of
the huts uninhabitable. The women bathe in the verandah, and the water is carried by
surface drains to trees planted in front of the huts.
The rain water during the monsoon is conducted by open drains in the centre of the
streets to a nullah at the western side of the lines. The native officers' quarters consist of 16
houses, 8 being placed on either side of the lines. The roofs of these are also in a very faulty
condition. The regimental bazaar is situated close to the lines, at the north-eastern corner,
It is kept clean, and is in fair repair.
Location and movements.
The lines and their surround
- i n g s ; p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n , h y g i e n i c
and otherwise.
24
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
15. The mild cases of ague yielded to cinchona mixed alkaloids, administered in doses
of from 5 to 10 grains three times daily; but in severe cases,
although 45 grains were given daily, the cinchona failed to
arrest or modify the attacks. Many of the latter cases were
successfully treated by the hypodermic injection of the neutral
sulphate of quinine.
During the month of December, when ague was prevalent, as many of the men in
hospital as were fit to be moved were sent into camp for a change, and. speedily recovered.
It will be seen by the following table that the sickness and mortality amongst Hindoos
were much greater than amongst Mussulmans:—
Average
Strength
present
during the
year.
Admissions.
Deaths.
Percentage of
Admissions
to Strength.
Percentage of
Deaths
to Strength.
Mussulmans . . .
66
65
None.
98.4
. . .
Hindoos . . .
525
1,300
12
247.8
2.3
6th Regiment N. I.
MHOW.—In medical charge of Surgeon D. N. PARAKH.
Average Strength . . . 667
Deaths in Hospital . . .
2
Do. present . . .
610
Do. out of Hospital . . .
3
Admissions . . .
878
Invalided . . .
76
Daily Sick . . . 19.4
Sick Leave . . .
18
Years.
Station.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
De a t hs i n
H o s p i t a l .
1876 . . .
Aden . . .
62.6
2. 1
0.6
1877 . . .
Do. . . .
53.7
2.3
1.1
1878 . . .
Mhow . . .
124.0
2.7
2.6
Average . . .
80.1
2.4
1.4
1879 . . .
Mhow . . .
143.9
3.2
0.3
1 . T h e r i g h t w i n g o f t h e r e g i m e n t , w h i c h w a s s t a t i o n e d a t I n d o r e a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f
the year under review, joined head-quarters at Mhow on the
28th March 1879. From this date up to the 2nd December
1879, the whole regiment had been located at Mhow. The head-quarters and left wing left
Mhow on the 3rd December 1879, and marched to Neemuch, where they arrived on the
20th December 1879, leaving the right wing behind.
2 . T h e f o l l o w i n g d e f e c t s i n t h e l i n e s a t M h o w , w h i c h w e r e m e n t i o n e d i n m y f o r m e r
reports, still continue to exist :—( a ) Defective ventilation of
the streets as well as of the huts; ( b ) defective cubage of the
huts; ( c ) want of plinth; (d ) want of light inside the huts
; (
e ) d a m p n e s s o f t h e w a l l a n d f l o o r d u r i n g t h e r a i n s ; (f
) want of roof ventilation, and want
of openings to remove smoke, foul gases, &c., from the hut; ( g ) want of well made chunam
bathing places inside the hut. The same defects exist at Neemuch more or less. The floor
of the huts at Neemuch is on a lower level than the ground outside. The difference between
Special observations, new ex
- p e r i e n c e s i n t r e a t m e n t , s a n i t a t i o n ,
&c.
Location and movements.
The lines and their surround
- i n g s ; p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n , h y g i e n i c
and otherwise.
Epidemics.
12. None during the year.
33
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
1 ague quotidian, complicated with perineal fistula. Out of hospital, 1 died from remittent
fever on furlough ; of the above, 8 were Hindoos, 2 Mussulmans, and 1 Christian.
13. Thirty-eight cases were vaccinated primarily, and 2 re-vaccinations were done in
the regiment. The quality of lymph was good. The 6 unpro
-tected were under one month, and unfit to undergo the opera
-tion at the time of departure of the regiment.
1 4 . F i f t y - o n e c a s e s w e r e i n v a l i d e d ; o f t h e s e , 3 9 w e r e H i n d o o s , 1 1 M u s s u l m a n s , a n d 1
Jew. Of the above, 7 were short service, and 44 of long service
entitling to pension. Of the 44 abovementioned, 9 men were
invalided after 32 years' service, 40 men invalided for ague and general debility, 4 for rheu
-
matism, 1 chronic synovitis, 1 hœcemoptysis, 1 diabetes and general debility, 1 shaking palsy,
1 sprain and rigidity of shoulder joint, 1 dislocation, and 1 for stricture of urethra with perineal
fistula.
1 5 . A c o n t a g i o u s d i s e a s e w a r d i s s t i l l r e q u i r e d , a s r e c o m m e n d e d i n f o r m e r r e p o r t s .
The present lines should be abolished, and those on standard
plan, with adequate space, plinths, drainage, &c., constructed.
16. As givenin former reports, the sepoy, to maintain a good working standard of health
for active service, should be rationed and have an adequate
supply of warm flannel inside clothing, and be furnished with
good English boots, especially during the trying cold and damp
weather of Neemuch, as experienced during and after the rains at that station.
12th Regiment N. I.
RAJKOT.—In medical charge of Surgeon H. P. JERVIS.
Average Strength . . . 709
Deaths in Hospital . . .
1 1
Do.
present . . . 699
Do. out of Hospital . . .
4
Admissions . . . 1,846
Invalided . . .
34
Daily Sick . . . 39.4
Sick Leave . . .
3
Year.
Station.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
De a t hs i n Hos pi t a l .
1876 . . . Dharwar . . .
47.1
2.1
0.6
1 877 . . . Do. . . .
80.3
2.2
0.9
1878 . . . Do. . . .
100.8
2.6
1 . 1
Average . . .
76.1
2.3
0.9
1879 . . . Rajkot . . .
264.1
5.6
1.6
1. The left wing of the regiment arrived at Rajkot from Dharwar on the 21st January
1879; and the head-quarters and right wing on the 30th
January 1879.
Vaccination and re-vaccina
-tion.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommend
-ations.
Special observations, new ex
-periences in treatment, sanita
- t i o n , & c .
Location and movements.
MAP OF THE
MILITARY CANTONMENTS,
AUGUR.
Scale 1 Inch = 8 Chains.
Mortality and its causes.
Epidemics.
50
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
11. There were two cases of deaths in the early part of
the year; one from intermittent fever and the other from
remittent fever.
12. There were no epidemics.
13. There have been 19 primary vaccinations during the year, but no case of re-vacci
-nation. Of the total present strength 275, 205 are protected by
vaccination, and 70 by small-pox. Of the 81 women, 63 are
protected by vaccination and 18 by small-pox. Of 112 children,
96 are protected by vaccination and 16 by small-pox, so that of the total men, women, and
children, 468, the are 364 protected by vaccination and 104 by small-pox.
14. There was only one man invalided from the hospital, who had suffered from
hepatitis, after long attacks of fever. Three other men were
discharged for pension on account of long service, debility, and
disability to perform their duties properly, but they were never in hospital.
Vaccinations and Re-zaccina
-tion.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommen-
dations.
Special observations, new expe
-riences in treatment, sanitation,
&c.
15. None.
16. None.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon General HEWLETT.
Inspected 22nd December 1879. The lines are on a good site, and are certainly above the
average. The streets are wide and kept scrupulously clean. The huts, however, are defective
from want of plinth and of efficient ventilation. Each man possesses a cot. The water
supply is fairly good, and is derived from wells, the depth to the water being about 50 feet
and the depth to the bottom about 20 feet more. The soil is laterite. There is an excellent
sepoys' garden, which is managed by the officer in command, and which keeps the men sup
-plied with excellent vegetables. The latrines are not good, but they are shortly to be pulled
down and new ones erected in their place. I was much pleased with my inspection of the
hospital, which stands high, and which has been well managed by Surgeon Lowdell, who
has evinced great zeal and intelligence in carrying out his duties. Diaries of cases have
been intelligently and well kept in the handwriting of the medical officer. The general
health and physique of the men was good, though some of them who had come from Mehid
-pur have suffered from fever; but on the whole Augar is a very healthy station.
26th Regiment N. I.
DEESA.—In medical charge of Surgeon J. H. EARLE and
Surgeon-Major S. YEATES HUNTER.
Average Strength . . .
659
Deaths in Hospital . . .
5
Do. Present . . .
614
Do. out of Hospital . . .
2
Admissions . . .
607
Invalided . . .
24
Daily Sick . . .
23.5
Sick Leave . . .
6
Years.
Station.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
D e a t h s i n
Hospital.
1876 . . .
Poona . . .
132.5
5.1
0.8
1877 . . .
D o . . . .
134.2
4.0
0.7
1873 . . .
Poona, Malta and Ahmeda-
bad.
184.3
3.6
1.3
Average . . .
150.3
4.2
0.9
1879 . . .
Deesa . . .
98.8
3.8
0.8
1. The head-quarter wing arrived at Deesa on the 13th of January, and the left wing
on 2nd of March. Both wings marched up from Ahmedabad.
Several escorts were being constantly sent to Massana and
Mount Aboo.
Location and movements.