93
SIND DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
9 . T h e r e w e r e a l t o g e t h e r 3 0 3 a d m i s s i o n s s i n c e t h e 1 7 t h o f M a r c h , t o w h i c h a g u e
contributed 151. A great number of those suffering from this
disease were attacked by bronchitis and congestion of the lungs,
and three by pneumonia. This was most particularly the case in the months of October and
November, when the cold at nights was intense. The uncomplicated cases yielded readily to
cinchonidine or quinine; so mild were some of them, that I am of opinion that they were
brought on rather by chills acting on men who had previously suffered from ague, than from
any particular malarial poison. A peculiar fact about the attacks of ague is that, with few
exceptions, the type amongst the men of this wing was of the quotidian variety, while the
Panjab troops almost always were attacked by the tertian or quartan. For diseases of the
alimentary canal 57 were admitted into hospital, and a great number of others treated in the
lines ; in fact I believe that there was not a man in the wing who did not suffer more or less
from diarrhœa. It was of the same description as what is known as hill diarrhœa, and was
caused by congestion of the liver and bowels. All European Officers in the camp suffered
from it also—some very frequently. The treatment I found answer best was two grains of
grey powder and three grains of compound rhubarb pill, given once or twice a day, and
followed by an iron tonic. The cases of dysentery, with one or two exceptions, were mild, and
cured generally by one or two large doses of ipecacuanha. Three cases of pneumonia, six of
bronchitis, and one of pleuritis were admitted. In the cases of pneumonia only one lung was
attacked, and in all instances they recovered. Injuries of the lower extremities caused
thirty-four admissions, the majority of them being slight bruises caused by their horses.
The only other case calling for any remark is that of frost-bite. This case occurred while
on the march from Khelat to Kurrachee and at a place two marches from the former. The
man had been on guard duty during the night without any guard tent, and I suppose that
while asleep his foot was exposed without his knowledge. The case was not severe.
10. One case proved fatal. It occurred in an old man who had asked to be sent be
-
fore the Invaliding Committee. He was admitted for ague,
and a few days after was attacked by pneumonia, which rapidly
proved fatal.
11. None of the men have been sent before an Invaliding Committee this year, owing
to their being at such a distance from head-quarters.
12. The sick carriage of the wing was entirely defective, owing to the want of "ka
-
javas," and to the weight of the dhooly. In Beloochistan, where
the marches are chiefly over the beds of mountain-torrents, the
dhooly-bearers, no matter how good they are, cannot well keep up with a cavalry regiment,
when they have to carry the unwieldy dhooly at present used. In addition to the dhooly,
wooden camel "kajavas" are also necessary ; and when properly made they are quite as
comfortable as the dhooly, two or even four men being accommodated in each. Iron "kajavas,"
one of which we had with us, are generally useless, on account of their liability to get out of
repair, the iron bending when any great strain is put on it. Instead of the dhooly some
lighter article should be provided. This is a matter which should certainly be looked after ;
as, had our sick carriage been severely tested, it would have broken down and thus impeded
the movement of the troops.
Details of treated.
Mortality and its causes.
Invaliding.
Sick carriage.
24 m