10
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
H. M.'s 6th Regiment Bombay N.I. has been located at Aden since November
1875, and whilst quartered there it has furnished the usual
detachments both to the island of Perim and to the isthmus;
the detachments were relieved about every two months. During the period of 1877 now
under review—about eleven months—detachments have been moved to and from Perim on
five different occasions, and on the 10th of December the head-quarters of the regiment, con
-sisting of two companies, left Aden for Mhow, on board the S.S. Dalhousie, reaching the
Presidency on the 19th, and Mhow on the 27th, of December 1877. I resumed medical
charge of the regiment on the 15th of November, and left Aden with the head-quarters on
the 10th of the following month.
2. There are no tanks in the lines, and no surface or other drains, so that after a copious
shower of rain the lines become flooded,—rendered nearly im
-passable, the water coming up almost to the edge of the low
plinth upon which the huts are built. Upon the whole, the pendals are in a fair state of repair,
and afford tolerably good accommodation, but the lines occupy a very unfavourable site,
—close to and behind a large portion of the Native Town which stands between them, and the
only openings in the crater through which the sea-breeze blows for several months of the
year; the town thus excludes, to a great extent, the sea-air, whilst they are, on either side,
and in the rear, surmounted by lofty igneous rocks, which absorb and radiate the intense
heat. Thus it will be seen that the ventilation in the lines is greatly impeded, and their
hygienic condition much deteriorated; the atmosphere in them, as may be readily imagined,
is during the coolest season of the year hot, close, and oppressive, but in the hot season it
must be almost unbearable ; indeed, I have been told that in the hot season the men are in
the habit of sleeping in the open air, and almost in a state of nudity.
3. The conservancy is easily and effectually carried out. Where there is, as at Aden, only
a very trifling—in fact little more than a nominal—annual rainfall,
and where there is even less vegetation, there is little to increase
the filth, or augment the work of the scavenger. There are regimental latrines, well built,
well situated, but too far from the lines, and of very defective construction ; hence they are
offensive even at a distance. Dammered iron pans are in use, and their contents are emptied
into large buckets, and removed daily in a large air-tight filth-cart to a place a considerable
distance from the town and lines.
4. The sources from which the water supply at Aden are obtained have already been
described in former reports. None of the water in Aden is
tempting to drink ; it is not absolutely unpalatable, but it is
insipid, flat, neither aërated, nor sparkling, nor pleasant to the taste. I had neither time
nor opportunity to test it chemically, but I drank it and bathed in it, and was very much
dissatisfied with it.
5. The rations of the men are supplied by Government, and consist of the same ma
-terials and in the same quantity as described in the annual
report last furnished.
If the sepoy had this ration for himself alone, it would be enough—indeed ample—for him,
and keep him in good health. I think, however, that in a place like Aden his diet should
be more varied, and that fish, meat, and potatoes should be introduced occasionally—that is
to say, in the diet of all those sepoys who will use such provisions. In connection with this
subject it must ever be borne in mind that the sepoy, as a rule, is either A a married man with
a lot of children, or he has a number of poor relatives living in a great measure, if not alto
- g e t h e r , u p o n h i m , s o t h a t a f t e r p r o v i d i n g f o r t h e m t h e r e i s b u t v e r y l i t t l e l e f t f o r h i m s e l f ,
and hence the indications of insufficient nourishment so often observed in men for whom, as
men individually, an ample supply is provided by Government.
6. The duties consist of the ordinary routine duties, such as parades, drill, musketry
instruction, guards, and orderly duties,—in fact such work as
troops in garrison usually perform. The average number of
nights in bed has been—for the men in camp 3¼, for those at
the Isthmus 3, and for those at Perim. 10 nights. They have extra guard duty in the hot
weather, so as to save the European soldier that duty at the arsenal and main guard. The
duties of the sepoys at Aden have proved so arduous that they have exhibited no desire for
additional exercise, nor for amusements ; and there can be no question that they have more
guard duty than is desirable.
2.
7. The hospital is a very suitable building; it has recently undergone thorough repair.
The floor is of a composite material, chiefly asphalte, and is
the best I have ever seen. It is a very well constructed building,
with a good tile roof, is well ventilated, and affords excellent
accommodation. Its surroundings are in every respect, hy
- g i e n i c a n d o t h e r w i s e , v e r y s a t i s f a c t o r y .
Location and movements.
Lines.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
Food.
Duties, exercises, and amuse
-ments.
Hospital and its surroundings:
present condition, hygienic and
otherwise.