POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
17
H. M.'s 5th Regiment N. I.
POONA.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major H. DAY.
Average Strength
694
Deaths in Hospital
5
Do.
Present
606
Do. out of do.
...
Admissions
847
Invalided
39
Daily Sick....
1 8 . 8 Sick Leave
17
Years.
Stations.
Rate per cent. to Average Strength
Present of
Admissions. Daily Sick.
Deaths in
Hospital.
1874
Belgaum
.
62.8
2.1
0.3
1875.
Do.
64. 2
2.3
0.6
1876
Do.
187.7
3.7
......
Average......
104.9
2.7
0.3
1877
Poona
139.7
3.1
0.8
The regiment has been stationed at Poona ; small detachments of eighteen men each
have been sent to Kulwan, Egutpoora, and Nandgaum, and fifty
men marched to Neera and back on escort duty.
2 . T h e p a n d a l s a r e m u c h o u t o f r e p a i r a n d r e q u i r e r e - r o o f i n g , a s t h e y l e a k b a d l y
in wet weather. The floors of the bathrooms have been
paved, so as to prevent soakage into the ground as much as
possible.
3. There has been no change in the conservancy ; the latrines are cleaned out twice a
day. The drainage is surface.
4. The water supply from Kurruckwasla has been sufficient. This water at all times
holds much detritus in suspension. It is to be hoped that a
new tank now being constructed will assist its deposit. I have
had to call attention to what must be considered a dangerous condition of the main pipe from
the Kurruckwasla works which passes near the lines of the regiment; it was placed in a
nullah, and covered by water at times little better than liquid sewage. In company with the
Deputy Surgeon-General the main on one occasion was inspected, and solid fœces were rest-
ing on one of the joints. As it is impossible that the main can always be kept charged with
water the danger is obvious; this state of things has since been remedied by a wall having
been built to isolate the main.
5. Food has been very dear, and, in spite of the large grain compensation, men with
large families have been much pinched. Vigilance was used
in the bazaars to keep out bad grain. A prolonged break in
the rains caused great scarcity of green vegetables at that time of the year. As bearing on
the question of food I may mention that the time of the month appears to influence the
number of admissions, for I find that 468 men have been admitted during the fortnight
before pay-day, and 379 men after pay-day,—possibly showing that when in funds, and there-
fore able to buy sufficient food, the sickness in the regiment is less.
Gaiters have been given to the men and brought into use. I fear nothing can be said
in favour of them. They are fastened by a strap just under the knee-joint, which, to be of
any use, has to be drawn tight so as to form a ligature round the upper part of the leg,
and I have heard of one case where numbness in the foot was caused by a walk of only five
miles. If they get wet and heavy with mud I have no doubt they would fall down over the
heels and feet and impede movement. No tolerable tightness of the strap would be
sufficient to prevent the falling down of the gaiter, I am convinced.
I understand that these gaiters have been given to this regiment, as a tentative mea-
sure, before issue to the army at large, I can only say that I think them, as at present
fitted, in every respect inferior to trowsers.
5 m
Location and movements.
The Lines and their surround-
i n g s : p r e s e n t c o n d i t i o n , h y g i e n i c
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
Food and clothing.