Mortality and its causes.
Epidemics.
58
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
been well covered over with dry earth, into iron receptacles. The latter are conveyed by
carts to some distance from camp, and their contents buried in pits. The rubbish, collected
twice daily from the lines, is also emptied into the pits dug for the reception of the latrine
accumulations. The bathing-places are situated in the verandahs of the huts. The bath
-
water is allowed to flow from the vicinity of the huts through kutcha-built surface drains.
4. Drinking water is obtained chiefly from the well situated about three hundred
yards to. the north of the lines. This supply is ample; every
man is allowed to draw as much as he requires. The high brick
surrounding wall, and the absence of drains from the immediate vicinity of the well, account
in great part for the excellent quality of the water.
5. The duties consist chiefly of parade and guard duty. Under the head of exercise
are included morning and evening parades, running drill dur
-
ing the cold season, wrestling, and sword exercise. Music and
singing are the principal amusements. The duties are by no
means injurious to the health of the men.
6. The hospital is a large well-ventilated building. The latrine is in close proximity
to the well which supplies the hospital and several of the
officers at camp with drinking water. The condition of the earth
in and around the latrine is bad, and may prove injurious here
-
after. The soil is thoroughly saturated with bowel and kidney
excretions, and, unless precautionary measures are adopted to prevent contamination of the
hospital well water, specific bowel complaints may result.
7. The health of the corps for the past year contrasts most favourably with that of the
previous one; this is due in a great measure to the withdrawal
of the detachment from the unhealthy outpost, Burda Chowkey.
There was a decrease of 154 in the number treated during the past year as compared with
that of the previous one, the average strength of the corps being almost the same during the
two years. The physique of the men is about the average.
8. I doubt whether the climate of Rajkot has, to any extent, been prejudicial to the
health of the men. Under the head of 'local circumstances' I
think. I might venture the opinion that the want of good sub
-
stantial food, such as good fresh vegetables, a variety of new
grain, fair mutton, fish, &c., for a continuous period of five years, has helped greatly to
affect the general health and physique of the men.
9. During the year 1876, with an average strength of 280, the total number treated
was 384; while during the past year, with an average strength
of 306, the total number treated was only 230. Ague in both
years was the prevailing disease; the number treated from this cause during 1876 exceeded
that of the past year by 75 cases. Scurvy only gave eight treated,. of whom four remained
from the previous year.
Water supply.
Duties, exercise, and amuse
-
ments: their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings: present condition,
hygienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.
Details of treatment.
10. Two deaths occurred during the year, one from debil
-ity, the other from pneumonia.
11. There was no epidemic disease.
12. Vaccination and re-vaccination have been carried on assiduously; 32 primary and
30 successful re-vaccinations took place. The lymph was good.
13. Fifteen men passed the annual Invaliding Committee at Ahmedabad, principally for
general debility, chronic rheumatism, and impaired vision.
Vaccination and re-vaccination.
Invaliding and its causes.
Requirements and recommenda
-
tions.
14. There is no place of residence attached to the hospital
for the native medical pupil.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon-General WYLLIE .
Inspected 19th February. There was much less sickness than in the previous year,
and, as in the case of the 28th Regiment, the improvement dates from the abandonment of
the unhealthy and malarious outpost of Burda Chowkey, and is largely shown in the decrease
under ague and scurvy, as well as in cases of debility—the outcome of both. Hospital in
fair repair, and has sufficient room to accommodate the native sick of other arms. Lines