POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
29
Special observations, new ex-
periences in treatment, sanita-
tion, &c.
16. Special observations in accordance with Memo. No. 1202 of April 1877 from the
Deputy Surgeon-General were carried out with reference to
the effects of cinchona mixed alkaloid (quinetum) in malarious
fever, depressing nausea having been one of the chief objec-
tions to its use in previous experiments. In all, 50 cases were
treated from 16th June to 4th September 1877. It was administered in two-grain doses
every two hours in the fever interval, and six grains just before the accession. In seven
cases nausea was produced—in four of these cases slightly, and in two of the remainder it
was followed by vomiting. It only failed in one case, when quinine was beneficially sub-
stituted. The conclusions drawn were that it was a most useful drug in milder cases, where
depressing nausea was not of much moment, and, considering the expense of quinine, that it
was undoubtedly a most valuable substitute.
Three or four cases of guinea-worm were experimented upon—1 st, by the application
of the electric battery to the worm, and, 2ndly, by stinging it with a living scorpion. In both
cases large portions of worm came away, and in the case of the scorpion-sting a large
shrivelled piece came away the next morning. Enough cases, however, did not come under
observation to enable me to draw any positive conclusion, but it is my intention to pursue the
subject further when opportunity offers.
Inspection by Deputy Surgeon-General BEATTY.
The sanitary condition of the lines, which consist of four parallel streets, is good. They
are situated north and south, so as to permit free ventilation from the prevailing south-
westerly winds.
The water supply is obtained from the river Ghori, and is fairly good and plentiful, but
is subject to contamination from the practice of growing water-melons in the bed of the river.
The general health of the regiment has been very good.
The hospital, which has in former years been unfavourably reported on, should be at
once replaced by a new one. It may here be convenient to quote the opinion, with which
I fully concur, of Dr. Hewlett, the Sanitary Commissioner, who in his sanitary report on Sirur
writes:—" The present hospital, too, is in front of the lines, which, although it would make an
excellent standard guard-room, is utterly unsuited in every way for an hospital; but I would
desire to represent to Government, with all the earnestness I can, that the provision for a new
hospital for the Poona Horse is a matter of urgent necessity, as in the present building the
men are made sick when sometimes the beds are necessarily so close as to be nearly touching.
I look upon the hospital at Sirur as one of the worst places I have ever seen, and trust
that immediate measures may be taken to provide the men of the regiment with a building in
which their diseases should at all events not be aggravated, and one where proper quarters for
the hospital establishment can be provided. At present there are absolutely none of' any de-
scription whatever."
H. M.'s 15th Regiment N. I.
AHMEDNAGAR.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major E. P. BURROWS.
Average Strength
706
Deaths in Hospital
7
Do.
Present
585
Do out of do. .
0
Admissions
593
Invalided
0
Daily Sick
17.3
Sick Leave
6
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
Deaths i n
Hospital.
1874
Ahmednagar
54.3
2.1
0.1
1875
Do.
85
2.4
0.3
1.876
Do.
67.8
3.3
0.7
Average...
69
2.3
0.3
1877
Ahmednagar
101.3
2.9
1.2
8 m