Chest dis-
cases.
General con-
c lusions.
24
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Diseases.
Diseases.—No cholera or small-pox in the regiment or cantonment during the year.
The only epidemic was dengue, which appeared in the regiment on the 20th November.
Since then up to 31st December the disease has attacked 328 of the regiment (head-
quarters and left wing) out of a total strength of 376. The number of people in the lines, viz.,
families and followers, is 1,092 ; of these, 960 have been attacked. I attribute the disease
to epidemic influence. No causes in this station to excite or help the spread of the disease.
The type of the disease was mild, especially in the latter part of December.
Chest diseases. —Only one case of phthisis, which was admitted in 1871. Only six
admissions from other chest diseases. The phthisis was due to hereditary scrofula, the other
diseases to chills. Very little chest affections in the regiment.
General conclusions. —The station is cool and healthy at all events as regards Euro-
peans. The health of the wing was good during the year (if we except the dengue epide-
mic). Excepting dengue epidemic the admissions to hospital were in 1871 183, in 1872 243.
The deaths numbered five, as contrasted with four in 1871. No special causes of dis-
ease, or any thing needing special remark. The excess of sickness in. 1872 was due to
the admissions for the sequels of dengue, viz., debility. Three deaths occurred in hospital each
year. The other deaths took place out of hospital.
Climate.
Left Wing 31st Regiment Light Infantrp.
The left wing of the 31st garrisoned the remote station of Jubbulpore
during 1872, and was under the medical charge of Surgeon W. H. Boalth.
Climate.—The first hot day last year was the 29th February, and from that date the
weather became gradually hot till in May the heat became intense. During the hot wea-
ther violent dust storms set in, generally from the south-west. The rains commenced
about the middle of June, and gave over about the end of September, when 69.28 inches of
rain were registered for the year. The monsoon was considered a very heavy one. The cold
weather commenced actually about the beginning of November. The hot weather and
rains appeared to have no injurious effect on the health of the detachment ; but as usual at
this station, about the breaking up of the rains and setting in of the cold weather, there
was an increase of fever cases.
Medical topo-
graphy.
Ventilation
and drainage
for the men's
huts, &c.
Medical topography.—Malarial fever is endemic at this station, and in my experience
during the months of August, September, and October there has been an increase of sickness
from this cause. During the past year it could not be said to have prevailed as an epidemic.
Dysentery prevails generally about the end of the hot weather and commencement of the
rains, due to impure water and sudden change in temperature. Rheumatism and bronchitis
occur during the rains and cold weather, but the principal disease of the district is malarial
fever, endemic to this district, and, when complicated with lung affections, such as bronchitis
or pneumonia, becomes dangerous.
Ventilation and drainage for the men's huts, guard-rooms, &c.—The huts of the
sepoys, the guard-room, the prison room, and the solitary cells are all sufficiently ventilated
to keep the air in them pure. Owing to the drains in the lines being kutcha, during the
rains the mud is washed into them, and they become temporarily obstructed. Government
refuse to undertake the expense of making these drains puckah.
Nuisance, &c.
Water-supply.
Has there been any nuisance .—There has been no nuisance within military limits
during the past year. The drains that have been built by the men at their own cost are
V-shaped kutcha drains of stone in mud. During the rains the mud falls in and obstructs
the drains. If these drains could be made puckah at Government expense, the drainage would
be most satisfactory. The excreta from the privies of the sepoys is removed daily by toties,
and the place has always been kept clean.
Water-supply .—During the end of the hot weather the wells, which have all a supply
of good water, became nearly dry, and there was then some scarcity for water. Some of the
men had to go to the river for water. The wells will have to be deepened next hot season.
The water in one kutcha well was once found to contain animalcules. This was brought
to the notice of the Commanding Officer, and, at my suggestion, the well was thoroughly
cleaned out, and after that the men were permitted to use the water of this well.
Foot-soreness
Duty and ex-
ercises.
Foot-soreness.—The men wear cheppools, and very few cases of foot-soreness arise from
this cause.
Duty and exercises. —The men have had the daily parades, on an average five times per
week, and the usual guard-mounting—the barrack guard, the hospital guard, the jail, and
the treasury guard. The duties performed by the men do not appear to have any bad
effect on their health. Average weekly number of nights in bed five.
Vaccination.
Vaccination .—No small-pox occurred in the detachment during the year. Sixty-six
children were vaccinated during the past year. Fifty-seven successful and nine unsuccessful.
I have had no occasion to revaccinate any adults.