Epidemics.
SIND DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
85
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
9. The district is highly malarious. The effect on health is very marked, and is par-
ticularly apparent in foreigners. Debility and premature old
age, as the annual Invaliding Committee testifies, is frequently
seen; numbers of, comparatively speaking, young men have to
be invalided yearly as "worn out" from premature old age—the effect of malaria. Strangers
are always struck with the anemic appearance of the troops.
Details of treated.
10. The total number of treated during the year was 426. Of these the principal were
—ague 195 cases, chronic rheumatism 18, pneumonia 6, dysen-
tery 13, diseases of the eye 11, syphilitic affections 16, gonor-
rhœa 6, and injuries, chiefly contusions of the lower extremities, 61.
Mortality and its causes.
11. There were two deaths in hospital, from ague and remittent fever respectively ; and
five out of hospital, one of which was due to bronchitis,—the
causes of the remaining four were unknown.
12. None. Small-pox, however, broke out several times
during the year in the neighbouring villages.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
13. There were 49 successful primary vaccinations during
the year, and 168 successful re-vaccinations.
Invaliding and its causes.
14. Five men were invalided for old age, and one each for
disease of the spleen, deafness, and injury.
Requirements and recommen-
dations, special observations, new
experiences in treatment, sani-
tation, &c.
15. A good scheme for the filtration of the water might be introduced with advantage,
particularly at some of the outposts where the water is notori-
ously impure. The roads are at present covered with tiger
grass, to prevent their being cut up ; this proceeding is objection-
able, as the grass retains the excreta, and after rain offensive
noxious vapours rise from it. They should be raised, and metalled either with burnt
brick or kunkur. A large amount of low jungle exists in many places round the station,
which might be removed with advantage. It extends for miles in every direction, and grows
rapidly. Some very important points with reference to hospitals seem to have been overlooked
in this station. In the event of another hospital being constructed here I would recommend
that it should have a ten-foot plinth ; the main walls protected throughout from the sun ;
verandahs broad and well ventilated at the top ; roof flat and double, and sufficiently strong
to allow of the patients sleeping on it during the hot weather ; doors, windows, skylights,
&c., large,—in fact, a system of ventilation which would admit of being graduated according
to circumstances. Every ward should have a fire-place. I would call attention to the excel-
lent results which follow treatment of the surgical cases in the open air. In all cases where
there is much suppuration, ulceration, gangrene, &c., &c., the benefit derived from open-air
treatment is sometimes astonishing ; a few mats will, as a rule, keep off the wind, if there is
any ; care must be taken to keep the patients warmly covered.
H. M.'s 2nd Sind Horse.
JACOBABAD.—In medical charge of Surgeon M. L. BARTHOLOMEUSZ, M.B.
Average Strength
492
Deaths in Hospital
4
Do.
Present ...... ,...... 284
Do. out of do.
.
4
Admissions
276
Invalided
10
Daily Sick
11.5
Sick Leave
10
Years.
Station.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deathsi n
Hospital
1874
Jacobabad
112.2
2.6
4.8
1875
Do.
116.0
3.4
1.0
1876
Do.
117.3
3.4
0.5
Average......
115.2
3.1
2.1
1877
•
Jacobabad
97.1
4.0
1.4
22 m