81
SIND DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
jerked out, as is so noxiously apparent now; the dividing partition would strengthen the
sides of the receptacles, and the addition of four small wheels to run in and out would be
a great improvement, possessing the combined advantages of economy and of more perfect
conservancy, in preventing the wearing away of the bottom, and in facilitating the with
-drawal of the contents without spilling.
4 . T h e w a t e r o f K u r r a c h e e i s n o t e d f o r i t s i n f e r i o r q u a l i t y , b e i n g l a r g e l y c h a r g e d w i t h
saline, and in a lesser degree with organic impurities. The
supply is derived from wells, and for whatever length of time the
scheme for bringing pure water into Kurrachee may be delayed, so long will the inhabitants
be deprived of one of the greatest necessities of life.
5. An excellent and varied supply of meat, fish, grain, and vegetables is always to be
found in the Kurrachee markets. Every description of food is
procurable at moderate cost. The clothing with which the men
provide themselves is only suited to the mild climate of Lower Sind. I have had occasion to
represent the urgent necessity of supplying the Mittri Field Force with warm clothing, the
general health of the force having considerably deteriorated from the want thereof, owing
to sudden vicissitudes of temperature. The thermometric range varies considerably in a few
hours, and in consequence the climate is much more trying than a colder and a more equable
one. The clothing of the men is sufficient on still warm days, but wholly insufficient to pre
- s e r v e h e a l t h w h e n t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s u d d e n l y f a l l s ; a n d t h e c o l d i s i n t e n s i f i e d b y t h e o c c a s i o n a l
prevalence of a strong penetrating wind from the neighbouring snow-clad hills.
6. The duties were of the ordinary parade and guard nature, with occasional escort
duty, and had no injurious effects on health. The exercises
were those common only to natives of very active habits, and
practised at weekly regimental sports and amusements, in
which the men of all castes eagerly compete, and which give a tone and vigour to the men
scarcely to be equalled in other regiments.
7. The hospital is a commodious stone building, well situated, and contains two
large wards and four isolated rooms. The ventilation, both
lateral and ridge, is good; and a broad verandah runs the whole
length in front and rear. Its plan and structure are excellent,
and it is kept in thorough repair. Its immediate surroundings,
especially that portion which lies within civil limits, are not as satisfactory hygienically as
I could wish; but no sanitary evil, calling urgently for remedy, exists.
8 . T h e g e n e r a l h e a l t h o f t h e r e g i m e n t c o m p a r e s f a v o u r a b l y w i t h t h a t f o r 1 8 7 6 . T h e
general physique, chest formation, and muscular development
are such as constitute thoroughly efficient soldiers, with physical
powers capable of bearing great and prolonged fatigue under privations which so often prove
fatal on active field service.
9. I cannot say, from an experience of several years, that the climate of Kurrachee exer
-cises an injurious effect on the health of soldiers. Extremes of
heat and cold are very rare. The local circumstances are not as
favourable, sanitarily speaking, as they should be, particularly
in the Sadar bazaar, the native city, detached native quarters, and in the vicinity of tanks.
It is to be regretted that the Sadar bazaar now lies within civil jurisdiction (though formerly
embraced within camp limits), and that the Cantonment Committee should be powerless to
mitigate the sanitary evils which everywhere abound therein. Situated as it is, so close to
the Staff and 83rd Regimental Lines, I felt it my duty to call the attention of the civil authori--
ties to the subject, through the Cantonment Magistrate, but with what result I am unable
to state.
10. The total number treated in hospital was 436, against 616 in 1876, of which 25
remained from the previous year. The total discharged to
duty was 413, and otherwise 7. The total number of deaths in
hospital was 3, out of hospital 2 ; 7 men proceeded for change of air, and 15 were invalided
and discharged. The average daily sick was 17.1, against 18.08 in 1876. The percentage
of treated to strength was 70.8, against 98.4 in 1876; that of deaths to strength 0.4,
Against 0.8; and of deaths to treated 0.6 against 0.8. The percentage of daily average of
sick to strength was 2.7 against 2.9. Paroxysmal fevers were, as usual, the prevailing
diseases, but the decrease in admissions from the. preceding year was most marked,, standing
in the proportion of 337 in 1876 to 200 in the year under review.
Water supplv.
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercise, and amuse--
ments: their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings: present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
General health.
influences of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.
21m