22
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The quarter guard and cells (of which there are four) are built of stone masonry, and
are roomy and in good order. They are placed to the west of the lines.
The only piece of cultivated ground near the lines is that used for the trench latrines.
A crop of grain is grown there annually.
3. Trench latrines placed 230 yards to the south-west of the lines are provided for the
men. The latter use them freely, and the system works
admirably. A crop of grain is grown on the ground every year.
The women are accommodated with two latrines on the standard plan, 130 yards to the south
of the lines.
There are also six urinals with masonry beds in the lines for the men. Dry sand is used
in these, and changed twice daily. They are a great boon, as by their use the ground in the
immediate vicinity of the huts is kept quite pure and free from nuisance. The filth from
the women's latrines and urinals is carted away and buried at the other side of the station.
4. Drinking water is obtained from three wells in the vicinity of the lines. It is
slightly brackish, but otherwise appears of fair quality. It is
augmented by a daily supply of 394 gallons of first class water
from the Dilwarra well, situated about three miles from cantonment. This allows about five
pints per man, which is not sufficient. Fountains have lately been erected, which will yield a
plentiful supply of good water from a reservoir in the hills five miles from camp. But as
the necessary arrangements have not yet been completed, the bulk of the supply is still
furnished by the brackish water from the wells. The latter never run dry during the
summer, so the supply, such as it is, is unlimited. They are uncovered, and the water is
consequently liable to pollution from debris of various kinds carried in by the wind.
Water of inferior quality is obtained for washing purposes from five wells in the lines.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Food and clothing.
5. The supply of grain has been plentiful and of good
quality, but fresh vegetables were scarce and dear during the
summer months.
Knickerbockers and gaiters would be a great improvement on the trowsers now worn.
6. The duties, which consist of the usual guards, parades, musketry course, and
occasional escort parties are not excessive, and do not appear
to exert a prejudicial effect. The average number of nights in
bed has been 4·8 During the prevalence of ague in the latter
part of the year, the men were relieved of some of their guard duties by a detachment of the
Mheirwarra Battalion from Ajmere. All the recruits go through a six months' course of
gymnastics, which improves their physique wonderfully.
7. The hospital, which faces north and south, is situated on high ground to the south-
-east of the lines. It is built of stone and roofed with stone
slabs. The floor is well raised from the ground, and the build
-ing is dry, well ventilated, and comfortable. There are two
wards, each 115 feet long and 22 feet broad, in each of which
30 patients can be accommodated with a cubic space of 1,348 feet per man. It is surrounded
by a spacious verandah, one-half of which is supplied with moveable jhamps, and is
utilized as a ward during the unhealthy season, when the admissions are high. The latrines
are on the standard plan, and are kept as clean and free from odour as possible by the use of
carbolic acid solution and MacDougall's powder. In the centre of the building, between
the wards, are seven rooms, used as follows:—one for eye cases, one for cases of a private
nature, three as store rooms, one as a compounding room, and one for the office. Cases of
an infectious nature are treated in huts and unserviceable tents. The Hospital Assistant's
and servants' quarters, dead-house, and cooking rooms are in good repair.
Trees have been planted along the north side of the building. Crops are not grown
near the hospital 'compound.
8. The general health has been very inferior to that of the three preceding years,
while the regiment was stationed at Belgaum. The total
number of admissions was 1,423, against 372 in 1876, 351 in
1877, and 508 in 1878. Of the admissions, the large number of 1,178 was for ague alone,
which was very prevalent during the four latter months of the year.
The scorbutic taint, which was originally developed at Aden, became manifest at the
commencement of the hot weather and were it not for the free issue of lime juice and fresh
vegetables, there would undoubtedly have been many cases of scurvy.
Owing to the prompt measures adopted, only four cases of scurvy occurred, and two of
these were not severe. After the rains, when fresh vegetables became more plentiful and at
the close of the year, only seventeen men were receiving a small daily allowance of lime juice.
Duties, exercise, and amuse-
-ments; their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate sur
-roundings; present condition, hy
-gienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.