56
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
then, and had been for two or three days previously, south-east. The detachment had, how
-
ever, marched in from that direction. A day after, another case occurred in the same house;
and then cholera began to spread in a south-easterly direction for about a week, being en
-
tirely confined to the village, the wind being all this while north-east; then it followed a
north-easterly course, though still prevailing in the first direction; and by the end of Octo
-
ber cholera had travelled again near the lines through the bazaar, the direction being west. It
seemed at times to travel with, and at times against, the wind. Before the arrival of the
detachment it appears, from inquiries made by the Political Agent, Mahi Banta, that not a
single case of cholera had occurred, nor was there any unusual prevalence of diarrhœa or
fever in either the bazaar or village of Sadra.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon-General WYLLIE.
This corps, previously stationed at Baroda, arrived at Ahmedabad, the right wing on the
19th September, and the left on the 14th of December. Health less satisfactory than in
previous year, and the admissions have advanced from 97.90 to 124.83, chiefly from increase
in ague and malarious conjunctivitis—most probably in connection with prolonged stay in
Guzerat; for I realize that many of the men are of impaired physique. Cholera appeared in
the regimental lines at the end of October, and lingered till the beginning of December, four
deaths resulting; and thus the mortality was nearly double its usual average.
The hospital accommodation is ordinarily sufficient, but latterly it has been crowded. The
building is now partially unroofed, for repair. The lines are in fair order, and clean
throughout, with ample provision for hut ventilation.
No. 1 Mountain Battery.
RAJKOT.—In medical charge of Surgeon J. PARKER; Strength 117.
This battery has been stationed in Rajkot during the year. Eighteen gunners and
two naiks were transferred to No. 2 Mountain Battery at
Jacobabad in the month of February.
2 . T h e l i n e s , b u i l t o n t h e s t a n d a r d p l a n , a r e w e l l s i t u a t e d , c l e a n , w e l l v e n t i l a t e d , r o o m y ,
and in good repair. The drainage is all surface; bathing-water
from the huts passes to the base of trees planted recently in
front of the houses,
3. The native officers are provided with latrines in their own huts, on the dry earth
system. Situated about 140 yards to the east of the lines are
two pucka-built latrines, one for the use of gunners and drivers,
the other is used by the women and children of the battery.
4 . T h i s i s f r o m w e l l s , o f w h i c h t h e r e a r e t w o ; t h e r e i s a f a i r a m o u n t o f w a t e r i n t h e m
now, but that will rapidly fail as the hot season approaches.
The mules are watered at a river which runs about half a mile
from the lines.
5 . F o o d h a s b e e n e x p e n s i v e , b u t o f g o o d q u a l i t y . V e g e t a b l e s w e r e b o t h d e a r a n d
scarce. The uniform worn by the battery has been altered;
that now in use is similar to the one worn by the Punjab
batteries, and has been found very comfortable.
Location and movements.
Lines and their surroundings:
present condition, hygienic and
otherwise.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
Food, &c.
Duties, exercise, and amuse
-ments: their effects on health.
6. The gunners have erected a talimkhana in the lines,
where they go through different calisthenic and other amuse
-
ments.
7. The hospital, which is a good roomy building, well situated, ventilated, clean, and
in good repair, also accommodates the sick of the right wing
of H. M.'s 7th Regiment N. I., and 3rd Squadron 2nd Regi
-
ment L. C. The latrines are situated north-west of the hospital,
and in close proximity to a well used by the patients; its site
has been condemned, and another selected.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings: present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.
8. The general health has been good for the past year. The total number treated was 75,
as against 84 for the previous year, and of these 25 were re-
admissions. In physique they are a fine, muscular lot of men.