2
extent by heavy rain. Early in the year there was some anxiety regarding a
threatened famine in the Northern Districts, but the results did not prove so
serious as was anticipated.
4. Strength of the army .—During the past year the strength of the army
was 28,772, and, therefore, somewhat less than during any of the previous five
years, 1871 excepted. The actual strength borne on the rolls on the 31st
December 1872 was 29,577, whereas on the same date of 1871 it was 30,036.
The caste constitution of the actual strength at the close of 1872 was as
follows :—
Hindus
...
... ... ...
...
...
...
...
16,213
Mahomedans ...
...
...
...
...
...
... ... 10,945
Christians
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2,419
Total ... 29,577
5. Distribution of the force.—The average daily strength serving in the
several divisions, &c., during the past year, was as under noted, and aggregated
28,772 :—
Presidency
...
...
...
...
... ...
...
...
3,652
Northern...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
2,764
Southern
...
...
...
...
...
...
... 2,547
Malabar and Canara ...
...
...
... ...
...
... 1,903
Mysore...
...
... ...
... ... ...
... ...
4,069
Ceded Districts...
...
...
...
...
...
... ...
1,534
Hyderabad Subsidiary Force...
...
...
...
...
... ... ...
3,996
Nagpore Force
... ... ... ... ... ... ...
2,274
British Burmah Division
...
...
...
...
...
... ... ...
2,760
Saugor
...
...
... ... ...
...
...
...
. . .
2,613
Bengal ...
... ...
...
...
...
...
...
...
660
The largest number of troops was located in the Mysore Division, and the
next largest numbers in Secunderabad and the Presidency Division.
6. Health of the troops .—The health of the troops was less satisfactory in
1872 than during the previous year, the principal disturbing causes having
been malarious fevers and continued fevers, the chief of which was dengue.
A few figures will illustrate this more clearly. Thus in 1871 the total treated
under continued fevers amounted to 527, while the number appearing under
this head in 1872 is no less than 8,951.
7. Prevalence of dengue .—This great increase in continued fevers was due
to dengue, which was very prevalent in the Presidency, Southern, Malabar and
Canara, Mysore, and British Burmah Divisions, and attacked European and
Native Troops indiscriminately. As the disease has been hitherto comparatively
little known in India, I submit here a brief account of its medical features and
short history of the outbreak. Although generally grouped with continued, it
seems doubtful whether it should not be classed with eruptive fevers, as it is
usually characterised by a rash at a certain stage of its course. The period of
incubation appears to range from 48 hours to one week. There are not always
marked premonitory symptoms, but an attack may be preceded by chillness and
joint pains in the adult, and in children it may be ushered in by convulsions.
The attack is generally very sudden, and the earlier symptoms are high fever ;
quick full pulse ; distressing pains in the back and joints ; excruciating head
¬ache ; face swollen and red, as if the patient had been stooping over a fire ; eyes
congested and watery ; tongue foul with prominent papillæ, or clean and red ;
temperature high, often reaching 105°Fhr. ; and intense nervous depression.
During this feverish stage most of the joints become swollen, stiff, and excrucia-
tingly painful, and the face, neck, and chest may be covered with an erythematous
blush. After this stage there comes a remission of fever and decline of head-
ache, but the other local pains still continue, accompanied with great general
depression and absolute loathing of food in any form. About the fourth day of the
attack a measly eruption often appears, and after lasting for about 48 hours,