2
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
2. Since the 1st of December the regiment has occupied the lines previously tenanted by
the 9th Regiment N. I. at Baroda;* they consist of a number
of pendals with tiled roofs, the walls being of bamboo plastered
inside with mud; those occupied by married men are divided
into rooms, while those occupied by single men are not so
divided, except in some instances by low partitions made by the sepoys themselves; they are
fairly well ventilated, but the space afforded per man is much less than that sanctioned by
the Government of India (namely, 70 superficial feet for each single man, and 120 for each
family), and the men are as uncomfortable and discontented as they can well be. The lines
are situate at the N.E. corner of the general parade-ground, in a spot well open to the breeze,
but devoid of shade and infested by white ants, and are not to be compared in respect of
comfort and individual privacy with those formerly occupied by the 22nd Regiment N. I.
while at this station, but now vacant. The drainage of the lines and cantonment and their
general sanitary condition are fairly good, and the sanitary condition of the bazaar is satis-
factory.
The quarter-guard occupied by the regiment is that previously occupied by the 22nd
Regiment N. I., and is a very suitable building; it contains two solitary cells, which in respect
of cubic space and ventilation are all that can be desired.
The Lines and their surround
-
ings: present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
3. The system pursued in Bombay was the same as in
former years.
In Baroda the trench system of latrines is established, two enclosures (for men and
women respectively) being situated to the north of the lines: this arrangement is much disliked
by the men, and I think must always be practically more or less a failure, as many of the men,
sooner than use them, wander into the surrounding country after dusk and defile the ground
in the neighbourhood of camp.
I believe it is arranged that the permanent latrines (which are now used by the inmates
of the hospital only) shall be used by the regiment generally during the rains.
4. In Bombay good and sufficient, from Vehar Lake. At Baroda there are four wells in
the lines, which at present yield a sufficiency, but, the rainfall
having been very scanty, it is expected that there will be a
scarcity in the hot weather : the water is slightly brackish.
5. Food was abundant in Bombay, but dearer than in
former years. At Baroda supplies are dear compared with
Bombay, and of inferior quality.
6. The work performed by the regiment in Bombay was the same as in former years,
and does not appear to have had any special effect upon the
health of the men : they had an average of little over three
consecutive nights in bed. At Baroda the duties are lighter; the
Residency and Rewa Kanta Jail guards are the only large ones furnished, and the average
number of consecutive nights in bed is four and three-quarters. For exercise the men have
their ordinary parades, with running drill in the cold weather.
No regular amusements (such as a talimkana) appear to have been kept up during the
year, but sports have occasionally been got up for the men.
7 . T h e h o s p i t a l a t B a r o d a c o n s i s t s o f o n e l a r g e w e l l - r a i s e d p e n d a l n e a r t h e e a s t e r n l i m i t
of camp, and close to the Guicowaree village of Gowlee Poora:
it is about ninety feet long by twenty broad, capable of holding
comfortably about twenty-four beds, and having wide verandahs,
which can be utilised for extra accommodation.
The hospital is clean, well ventilated, and in good repair, and its general hygienic con--
dition good.
The quarters for medical subordinates are very inferior, being cutcha -built, deficient in.
space, and badly ventilated; the senior hospital assistant has only one small room and a
little cookroom, and there are no quarters for any other medical subordinate.
Water supply.
Food.
Duties, exercise, and, amuse
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ments: their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings: present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.
8. Fairly good.
9. The total admissions into hospital were 568, the average daily number of sick 23.5.
Of the total admissions 206 were due to fevers, chiefly malarial,
of which 13 only were remittent in type. Five cases of small -
pox occurred: all recovered. Rheumatism., syphilis, bowel complaints, and contusions fur -
Details of treated.
* A description of the lines, hospital, &c. &c. occupied by the regiment while stationed at Bombay will he
found in the report of the 9th N. I.