Climate.
Natural fea-
tures and pro
-
ductions of the
district.
Guard-rooms.
Nuisance.
Water-supply.
Provisions.
Clothing.
81
PROVINCES OF MALABAR AND CANARA.
PROVINCES OF MALABAR AND CANARA.
Average daily strength present during the year . . .
1,903
Do. sick per cent. to the average strength . . .
1.36
Ratio of mortality per cent. to the average strength . . .
0.63
As already stated this district, as well as the " Southern," formed a part of
the administrative charge of Deputy Surgeon-General Johnston.
9 t h R e g i m e n t M a d r a s N a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
This corps remained at Cannanore during the year, and the following are
extracts from the report of Surgeon J. H. Ritchie, M.D. , who held medical
charge :—
Climate.—The climate of this station is characterized by excessive rainfall in June,
July, and August, and great degree of humidity and moderate heat. There was nothing
unusual in the climate during the past year, except the rainfall was over the average, being
151 inches. Judging from the number of admissions into hospital, the climate seems to be
favorable for sepoys; and those diseases which caused the greatest number of admissions
were for the most part very trivial; fevers, dysentery, and diarrhœa being rare and mild in
type.
Natural features and productions of the district. —This district, which extends from
10° 12 to 10° 15 north latitude and between the parallels of 75° 10 and 76° 50 east longitude,
may be described as undulating, being more or less level towards the sea, and mountainous to
the east. In the vicinity of the coast the soil is sandy, but in the interior both the upland and
cultivated valleys are red mixed with gravel. The coast is intersected by numerous back
-
waters which communicate with the sea and run for the most part parallel with it for some
distance. The principal plants and trees cultivated are the cocoanut, arecanut, jack,
mulberry, mango, and plantain, and the productions are grain, wheat, barley, hemp, cotton,
r i c e , a nd r a ggy.
Guard-rooms.—The barrack guard-room is part of a long range of buildings, and is
well ventilated; but the accommodation is barely sufficient for the number of men on guard.
A guard-room for the hospital is much required. No recommendations made.
Nuisance .—There are no nuisances. The ash-pits and manure heaps are outside the
lines, and the refuse is carted daily to some distance.
Water-supply.—The water-supply obtained from wells in the lines is good, but during
last hot months was not sufficient. No recommendations.
Provisions.—Provisions are considered dear at this station. Vegetables are abundant.
Clothing .—The clothing of the men during the hot season is the white coat and black
light trowsers, and in the cold and rainy seasons the red tunic and black cloth trowsers, also
great coat when necessary. This has been sufficient and well adapted to the climate of this
station. No recommendations necessary.
Foot soreness .—Cases of foot-sores from wearing bad boots are quite common. They
are generally excused wearing boots until the sores heal. These are, no doubt, owing to the
boots being badly made and to bad leather. No recommendations necessary.
Foot soreness.
Duty.—The duties of this regiment are principally parades and in furnishing its own
and the cantonment guards (every other week). Its own guards are the quarter, hospital, and
mess, and the cantonment, fort, magazine, commissariat, and garrison hospital. These have
had no injurious effects on the health of the men. The average number of nights in bed is
one in seven. This varies: thus when the Mussulmans have leave, the Hindus have to furnish
the guards, and their tour of duty comes oftener, and vice versâ. No recommendations
necessary.
Drill.—There are, as a rule, three parades a week in the morning, but in the drill season
there are evening parades also. Each parade lasts about an hour and a half. The morning
ones from 5½ to 7, and the evening from 5 to 6. These have no injurious effects on the
health of the men. No recommendations necessary.
Exercises.—There is a cricket club, but only a few practise this game. There is a
talleemkhana in the lines for the recruits and young soldiers. Some men employ their
leisure hours in gardening. No recommendations necessary.
Vaccination .—Vaccination has been regularly kept up during the year among the
families of the men. Seventy-three cases were vaccinated; successful 53, unsuccessful 20.
No small-pox during the year. Only two cases of chicken-pox were admitted. I have had
no occasion to re-vaccinate any of the men.
Duty.
Drill.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
21