65
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Some observations have been made on the emetic properties of pulvis calotropis, the
powdered root bark of the C. Procera or C. Gigantea. In doses of grains xxxv given in half
a tumblerful of warm water it is as effectual and trustworthy an emetic as pulvis ipecac., and
has the advantage of almost invariably producing bilious purging as well as bilious vomit-
ing. A reference to the cases of ague, the treatment of which has been commenced with the
exhibition of calotropis, shows that, as a general rule, the patient "vomited thrice, was purged
once." In one or two instances the powder proved quite inert ; but this inertness was probably
due to insufficient dilution. I have not yet tried it as a substitute for ipecac. in acute dysen--
tery. nor have I made myself acauainted with its alleged alterative and tonic properties.
16. The medical pupils are regularly practised in dispensing under the supervision
of the Hospital Assistant. They have also had lessons in
elementary anatomy, medicine, and the treatment of emer
-gencies from me.
16th Regiment N. I.
MALEGAON.—In medical charge of Surgeon B. N. KOYAJI.
Average Strength . . . 708
Deaths in Hospital . . . 24
Do.
present . . . 625
Do. out of Hospital . . .
2
Admissions . . . 792
Invalided. . .
26
Daily Sick . . .
3 0 . 2 Sick Leave . . . 14
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1876 . . .
Nusseerabad . . .
200.4
6.0
0.6
1877 . . .
Do.
. . .
124.4
3.3
0.4
1878 . . .
Do.
. . .
291.3
11.7
1.8
Average . . .
205.4
7.0
0.9
1879 . . .
Malegaon . . .
126.7
4.8
3.8
1 . T h e R e g i m e n t w a s s t a t i o n e d a t N u s s e e r a b a d t i l l t h e1
7 t h
J a n u a r y 1 8 7 9 , w h e n i t
commenced its march for Malegaon via Neemuch, Jowra, Rut
-lam, and Mhow, arriving at this station on the 27th February.
The roads were not very heavy, but the weather was very cold. Foot soreness caused
by ill-fitting boots was a general complaint, and a number of men used to fall out daily on
account of it. Malarious fevers and lung affections supervening on ague were the principal
causes of sickness. There were seven casualties, and the average daily sick was 31.5. The
sickness and the mortality on the march were mainly due to vicissitudes of weather, unusual
exertion, and insufficiency of proper food on men whose constitutions had been undermined
and vital powers lowered by repeated attacks of ague while stationed at Nusseerabad.
The Regiment left 14 sick at Nusseerabad, 1 at Neemuch, and 2 at Mhow, making in all
17 sick left behind for treatment. Of these, the one left behind at Neemuch died there
shortly after of remittent fever, four were sent on sick leave by the Medical Officer of the
2nd Grenadiers, and the rest arrived here by rail in a good state of health.
From 19th May to 12th July small detachments were employed on treasury guard duties
a t
N a s s i c k ,
N a n d g a o n , N i p h a d , K a r j a t . E g u t p o o r a , S h a h a p u r , W a r r a , M o o r b a d , a n d S i n n a r .
2 . T h e a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r t h e R e g i m e n t c o n s i s t s o f t h e N a t i v e I n f a n t r y l i n e s a n d t h e
old artillery barracks. The lines consist of sixteen blocks of huts
with broad streets crossing at right angles. They are built of
sun-dried bricks set in mud, and are raised on a plinth of about
a foot in height. They have no special arrangement for ven
-
Medical Pupils.
Location and movements.
The lines and their surround-
ings ; present condition, hygienic
or otherwise.