31
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
10. The returns contrast unfavourably with those of the previous year. The admissions
into hospital from all causes in 1876 numbered 396, of which
100 were re-admissions. In the past year the admissions have
been 593, the re-admissions 201. In comparing the monthly returns for the two years, the
increase is seen to have occurred chiefly under the headings of febricula and conjunctivitis.
Cases of remittent fever have been of more frequent occurrence, numbering sixteen, against
eight in the previous year. They were most common in May, when six were admitted.
The cases occurring later, however, were of more severe form, two out of the three admitted in
September terminating fatally, one in eighteen, the other in twenty-five days. Of the 201 cases
of febricula treated, 120 were admitted during the latter part of May and in June. In the
majority of these cases the fever lasted four to five days only. In a few the normal tempera
-ture was not reached until the tenth or twelfth day; in four cases the fever returned after an
interval of a week's convalescence. Headache was a prominent symptom in all. There were
85 cases of ague, against 110 in the previous year. Two cases of mumps occurred, one in
March, the other in May. Three cases of acute and four of chronic rheumatism came under
treatment,—an unusually small number. There have been 14 admissions from syphilis, 10 of
primary and 4 of secondary disease. The total under this head in the previous year was 17.
Of diseases of the digestive system there were 77 admissions; of these 36 were for dysentery
and 25 for diarrhœa. Dysentery was most prevalent in the months of July and October.
The admissions under this heading last year numbered 72.
1 1 . T h e r e h a v e b e e n 7 d e a t h s — o n e f r o m c h o l e r a , t w o f r o m r e m i t t e n t f e v e r , o n e e a c h
from anæmia, acute bronchitis, asthma with affected heart, and
paraplegia. Two men died out of hospital—one, on leave, from
heart disease, and the other of small-pox on detachment duty at Sungumneir.
12. Four men were admitted with small-pox—the first three in February, the last in
April. All had been previously vaccinated and they made good
recoveries. One man, however, suffered severely, the eruption
being partially confluent. Two women and five children were also treated during the same
period; one child died. The disease has been very prevalent in the town and surrounding
districts this year. There have been two cases of cholera—one in June and one in August; the
former was fatal. This disease was also reported prevalent in the town and surrounding districts
from the middle of May to the end of October, and during that time the men were not allowed
to enter the town.
1 3 . A r m - t o - a r m v a c c i n a t i o n h a s b e e n m a i n t a i n e d a t t h e h o s p i t a l t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r ,
and all children in the lines and in the regimental bazaar who
were under two months old, recruits, and those of the men con
- s i d e r e d b a d l y p r o t e c t e d , h a v e b e e n r e - v a c c i n a t e d .
14. Eighteen men were invalided, all Hindoos; twelve were aged and worn-out men, and
six weakly and no longer active enough for service. Their
average age was forty-one. The oldest, forty-nine years old,
had served in the ranks over thirty-one years; the youngest, aged thirty-eight, had served
between nineteen and twenty years.
1 5 . T h e d e s i r a b i l i t y o f i m p r o v i n g t h e v e n t i l a t i o n o f t h e l i n e s b y r i d g e v e n t i l a t i o n ,
the bad flooring of the hospital, and the better accommo
-dation required for special cases than the general ward now
affords were noted in my report last year.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon-General BEATTY.
The hospital and head-quarters were inspected on the 16th November 1877.
The lines were kept clean and well drained, but the defective ventilation of the huts was
brought to notice by the medical officer. Improved bathing arrangements in the verandahs of
the married men's quarters were being constructed. The conservancy arrangements for both
lines and hospital were excellent.
The medical officer particularly called attention to the badly made and ill-fitting native
boots furnished to the men; fourteen admissions were entered under the head of injuries on
account of sore feet induced by badly fitting boots.
The hospital at the time of inspection was clean, the books and records carefully written
up to date, and the organization and management generally good.
Details of treated.
Mortality.
Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding.
Requirements and recommen
-dations.