Water-supply.
Food and clothing.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths i n
H o s p i t a l .
1876 . . .
Deesa . . .
81.1
2.5
0.4
1877 . . .
Do. . . .
63.6
1.9
. . .
1878 . . .
Do. . . .
76.4
1.6
0.9
Average . . .
73.7
2.0
0.4
1879 . . .
Poona . . .
87.0
1.7
0.3
1. The head-quarters and the Right Wing have been stationed at Poona since the 20th
December 1878, the Left Wing arrived here on the 27th January
1879. The detachment of 103 men, which did jail guard duty
at Tanna from 1st January to 31st December 1879, was relieved by a second detachment 102
strong during the year. Bodies of men were sent on duty to Tanna, Mahableshwur, Wai,
Shirvell, Bhor, and Flying Columns to Saswad.
2. The lines, which have been considered as ill suited for the accommodation of native
soldiers, are still utilised by the men of the 18th. The venti
-lation, which is effected through the tiled roof and doors, is
considered very defective. The mud huts, which are without
any plinths, leak freely—during the rains at least, so I am told. The cubage of each amounts
to 1,025 cubic feet ; the distance between the lines and the bazaar equals about 300 yards. I
believe the sanitary condition of the lines and bazaar has been attended to during the past
year.
3. Under this head I think it is sufficient for me to note that "the latrines are situ
-ated during the dry season in the bed of the river, which is
several feet below the surface of the lines, and in the wet
weather they are on the river's bank. The trench system is used throughout the year.
4. Supply ample for all purposes. Quality good. Sources
from springs and from Khurruckwasla.
5. Food ample and fairly cheap. No alteration has been
made in the clothing.
6. The usual garrison duties and escort parties. There is no gymnasium, and
the men's amusements seem confined to those in ordinary
vogue amongst natives : neither appear to affect the general
health.
7. The hospital is built in an excellent situation, and there are no surroundings except
the usual buildings. It is in good repair and the accommoda
-tion is ample. No fault can be found with the method of
ventilation, which is free and good. The latrine is built of
bricks and mortar, and answers its purposes completely. The
bowel defections are removed by the sweepers and the night-soil carts.
72
Location and movements.
The lines and their surround
-ings.
Conservancy.
Duties, exercises, and amuse
-ments ; their effect on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings; present condition,
hygienic or otherwise.
General health and physique.
8. The physique of the men compares favourably with
that of other regiments. The general health has been fairly good.
9 . T h e h i g h e s t n u m b e r o f a d m i s s i o n s w i t h a g u ew
a s
i n t h e m o n t h s o f A p r i l , M a y , a n d
June, the lowest in January and February. No lung diseases
were treated in January, April, May, June, and July. February,
August, September, and December give the greatest average.
10. There were 543 admissions into hospital, being 62 more than the previous year.
There were 4 deaths ; 8 men were sent on medical certificate
for change to their own country. The admissions with ague
equal 306, i . e ., 95 in excess of the number under treatment in 1878. June yields the
highest average. A few of the cases were complicated with lung disease. Conjunctivitis
gave a total of 12, rheumatism 29, syphilis 32, and chicken-pox 2 ; chest diseases 20, diarrhœa
16, itches 10, general debility 10, blisters of the feet 22, due to ill-fitting boots, and gunshot
wound 1. The case of the latter, as drawn up by Dr. Ross, is as follows :—
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.