MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
4. Is very abundant, and is received direct from the Kurruckwasla waterworks through
pipes; the water is not clean, but is reported to be wholesome.
There is a good supply of pure well water also, but the sowars
and families for the most part prefer the former.
5 . T h e s u p p l y o f p r o v i s i o n s i n t h e b a z a a r i s g o o d a n d p l e n t i f u l , a n d v e g e t a b l e s a r e e a s i l y
procured; owing to the late famine, the prices are generally
high.
6 . T h e d u t y i s f o r t h e m o s t p a r t l i g h t , t h e m e n g e t t i n g o n a n a v e r a g e 5 ½ n i g h t s i n b e d .
There is a gymnasium, where a few of the men exercise them
-
selves, and the effect on the health of those who practise gym
-
nastics appears to be beneficial.
7. The hospital is an excellent one, and was very fully described in the report for the
year 1874; it will accommodate 29 patients within the walls, but
more accommodation has been required during the last month
of the year, owing to the number of ague cases admitted: the
excess have been placed in the verandahs. The greatest num
-
ber at one time in hospital was 37. The dry-earth system has been carried out in the
h o s p i t a l l a t r i n e .
8. The health of the regiment was good up to the end of September. The physical
condition of the men appears to be good, for the most part.
9 . T h e i n f l u e n c e o f t h e D e c c a n c l i m a t e o n t h e r e g i m e n t d u r i n g t h e p a s t 6 ¾ y e a r s a p p e a r s
to have been favourable, and sickness and mortality have been
low.
10. Including the figures for the squadron at Baroda, there were 289 admissions for
fevers, of which 4 were of the remittent type; there were 2
cases of small-pox, both in men protected by vaccination. Of
other diseases 152 cases were admitted, none of which were, however, of any particular inter
-
est; and of trifling injuries there were 72 cases.
11. There were two deaths during the year—one from pneumonia, and the other from
ague and diarrhœa. This latter man returned from escort duty
in
a very weak and emaciated state.
16
Water supply.
Food.
Duties, exercise, and amuse
-
ments: their effect on health.
Hospital and its surroundings:
present condition, hygienic and
otherwise.
General health and physique.
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treated.
Mortality and its causes.
Epidemics.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
12. None.
13. Vaccination and re-vaccination were carried out
carefully.
14. Sixteen men have been pensioned—one for impaired vision, two for disease of the
lungs, and thirteen were old and worn out.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon-General BEATTY.
The sanitary condition of the lines as regards drainage has been improved; superficial
drains have been cut and roughly paved with stone through eight of the twelve lines during
the year.
The general health of the regiment has, in the opinion of the medical officer, suffered
in consequence of the cultivation which has taken place in proximity to the lines since the
introduction of the Kurruckwasla water, and the statement submitted showing the number
of admissions from ague during the last three years would tend to justify this view.
The hospital is an excellent one; 29 patients can be accommodated within the walls, and
in addition the verandahs utilized in case of emergency. The dry-earth system is used in
the latrine.
At the time of inspection the hospital was found to be in a state of perfect cleanliness,
the books and instruments in excellent order, and the organization and management gener
-
ally reflected credit on the medical officer and his establishment.
Invaliding and its causes.