59
MYSORE DIVISION.
8 t h R e g i m e n t N a t i v e I n t a n t r y .
This corps continued at Mercara throughout 1872, and Surgeon-Major
Andrews, who held medical charge during the year, writes the report :
—
This regiment has garrisoned Mercara during the whole year, and is now in its fifth
year of residence. When it arrived from Singapore about four years ago, it was in a very
sickly condition from fever, and habits of dissipation acquired in the Straits were attributed
to many of the men and supposed to be the cause of much of their unhealthiness. The
influence of that climate upon the men generally must, by this time, have been removed,
and, although I have observed indications of the use of bhang and opium in some, I am
glad to say that there have been few signs of the dissipation prevalent among the men to
which my predecessor alluded. I have met with no cases of spermatorrhœa; there have been
very few cases of venereal disease, and I do not find that any case has been admitted into
hospital suffering from the effects of alcohol. The men are on the whole steady and well
-behaved, and the sickness among them has been due to the effects of climate or to circum
-stances beyond their control.
Meteorotogy.—The
climatic conditions of the year have been much the same as in
former years. The range of the barometer and thermometer much the same, and the
rainfall rather above average. The rainfall was accurately measured, and amounted to
128 . 25 inches, 8.25 above the average of ten years.
Influence on health. —During the cold months from December to February, when dry
cold winds prevail and humidity is least, the inhabitants of the district suffer much from
pneumonia, bronchitis, and other affections of the chest, and from ague, accompanied by
derangement of the liver, or by organic changes in both that organ and the spleen. Bowel
complaints are not very prevalent at any time. In the hot months fever becomes still more
prevalent. The rainy season, when the air is saturated with moisture and the temperature
scarcely varies 3°, is the most healthy for those whose dwelling and clothing afford
sufficient protection against the inclemency of the weather, but many of the coolies suffer
much from exposure, and the Civil Hospital is more frequented at this, than at any other
time. Although the inhabitants of the district suffer from remittent fever and severe forms
of ague followed by hypertrophy of the spleen, anæmia, anasarca, &c., frequently having
a fatal termination, the fever from which the sepoys suffer is generally of a very mild
type and free from any such complications.
Water-supply.— The water-supply of this district is abundant, the whole country being
traversed by brooks and rivulets; but the water is far from being wholesome in conse
-quence of its pollution by surface impurities. The decaying vegetable matter which it
contains is productive of fevers and hypertrophy of the spleen, and it is infested with
the ovæ of the ascaris lumbricoides, judged by the frequency with which these parasites are
found in the intestines of people dwelling in the vicinity of Mercara.
Meteorolog
y.
Influence on
health.
Water-supply.
The fort is supplied with a deep well, the water of Which is probably free from those
drawbacks, and there is one deep well in the lines, the water of which is tolerably pure, but
is not quite free from decomposing, organic matters and chlorides, probably introduced by
the objectionable practice of letting down lotas attached to ropes into the water. The other
wells in the lines, eight in number, are all too near the surface, and cannot fail to sustain
pollutions by surface drainage.
Buildings—Lines.— The troops are located in lines situated in a circular valley or basin
on the south side of the fort. The lines are built in terraces, continued from the top about
half-way down the slope; the bottom of the valley being damp and swampy is not
occupied with buildings.
The new lines, which are built in rows with streets between, and are constructed of
walls of rammed earth on a raised foundation, and tiled roofs, now accommodate more
than half the regiment, the remainder still occupy the thatched huts. The main street is
18 feet wide, and the cross streets are from 8 to 14 feet wide. Small channels are cut in the
soil to carry off the sewage, and then fall into larger channels which carry off the rain water.
Lighting and Warming. —The hospital is lighted by five oil lamps, and in the wet
months, from June to November, wood-fires are kept burning.
Latrines and Urinals.— The hospital latrine and urinal are kept clean, and are emptied by
hand daily. The latrines in the lines are in a much better sanitary condition than formerly.
The dry-earth system is in force.
Rations.— None.
The sepoys diet themselves. Fruit and vegetables are scarce but the
latter were cheaper than in the previous year. All other articles of diet are dear, but the
c o m p e n s a t i o n f o r r i c e p r e v e n t s t h e t r o o p s f r o m s u f f e r i n g f r o m t h i s c a u s e .
Clothing.—The military clothing of the troops is sufficient and adapted to the climate.
When off duty many of the sepoys are clothed in materials of too light a nature for this
climate.
Duty and Employment.— A portion of the regiment is employed in constructing
the new lines, the remainder have drill or ball practice in the morning four or five days in
the week, with the exception of those who are on guard. The troops seldom have a march.
The duties have no prejudicial influence on health.
Buildings—Lines.
Lighting and
Warming.
Latrines and
Urinals.
Rations.
Clothing.
Duty and
Employment.