Lines.
Latrines.
Lavatories.
Water-supply
Recreation.
Duties.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
Vaccination.
Diseases of
the district.
Lines.
82
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Hospital.
General con
-
clusions.
Climate.
Hospital.—The ventilation by windows, doors, and ridges in roof is satisfactory. No
representations. There has been no overcrowding. The drainage is good, but the latrine is
small and badly ventilated. It is on the dry-earth principle, which is efficiently carried out.
No representations.
General conclusions.— The health of the regiment during the year was very satisfac
-
tory. The prevailing diseases were itch (42), rheumatism chronic (14), ulcers (13), ague (9),
dysentery (9), wounds (7), abscess (7) being mostly of a trivial nature.
Deputy Surgeon-General Johnston, M.D., inspected the corps, and the
following are extracts from his report :—
Lines .—These lines were found in excellent order; the drains clean and free from
sewage lodgment or refuse imnurities.
Latrines.— Still the need of regimental latrines is to be reported, and this want is seen
in the pollution of the fields and lanes in the vicinity of the lines with human ordure, and
perceived in the disgusting stench which pervades the air. It is said the men resort to the
low-walled enclosures within the narrow limits of the yards which front the huts; but this
may be fairly questioned in the presence of the facts now stated. A few latrines (four
would suffice), constructed in some such fashion as the following, should be run up at once:
a walled in square; the wall of mud, and not higher than three or four feet, with palmyrah
posts at each angle to support a cadjan roof; trenches within, and a supply of earth, and a
latrine fulfilling every useful purpose would be provided at very little cost. Under this
paragraph in the inspection report of this corps, submitted on the 23rd November 1871, the
presence of a small masonry latrine constructed by the municipality near the north-east
angle of the lines was described. Such a latrine so constructed is simply a nuisance, and
as such, it should be removed and replaced by a structure such as that now described. The
guard-rooms, cells, and places of arms, are in respect of sanitary condition and arrangement,
all that could be wished for.
Lavatories.— There are no tanks, save at a distance from the lines. The men resort to
wells, or nerform their ablution within the yards of their huts.
Water-supply. —Water of remarkable purity is obtained from wells in the vicinity.
Recreation.—Many
of the men find in gardening both recreation and profit. Several of
the officers have most disinterestedly given up large portions of their compounds to the men
for garden cultivation.
Duties.— Such as generally devolve on sepoy regiments in cantonment. T hese are by
no means excessive.
Conservancy .—Conservancy very indifferent, but municipal action is thwarted in the
direction of sanitation.
Hospital.— On the present occasion of its inspection the internal arrangements were all
found to be most satisfactory, the structural conditions of the building being very fair, the
wards clean, and the well-being of the sick evidently well attended to.
Vaccination.—Rank
and tile all vaccinated. Of children, there are 30 unprotected from
vaccination effected speedily. Most of these children are infants, and their parents wish the
operation to be postponed for a time.
25th Regiment Madras Native Infantry.
The 25th continued in 1872 to form part of the garrison of Cannanore.
Surgeon F. M. Rickard. who was in medical charge, reports as follows:—
Climate.—Climate may be divided into three seasons. The hot season from February to
May, when the thermometer ranges from 80° to 90°. From June to October the monsoon
from the south-west, when there is rain with scarcely any intermission, high winds,
&c. In October the north-east monsoon commences, severe thunder storms, lightning, and
heavy showers. From December to February there are light cool winds at night, but
strong land winds in the middle of the day. During the south-west monsoon the thermo
-
meter scarcely ever rises above 75°, or 80°, and sometimes goes down to 65°. In
December and January heavy fogs hang about the surrounding hills, but not apparent close
to the shore.
Diseases of the district.—The principal diseases are fever, diarrhœa, rheumatism, and
intestinal worms. Lumbrici are very common.
Lines.—The lines consist of rows of thatched mud huts to the north-west of the Native
Infantry parade ground. The site is somewhat low, but the natural drainage is good, and
the lines seem healthy.
Each private sepoy gets a space of 30 feet by 13 feet, which he divides into hut, out
-
house, and yard; there is generally one door and no window to the hut. The extent of his
family and the number of his relatives living with him determine the amount of space