Climate.
Lines.
Water-supply.
Sanitary ar
-rangements.
Diet.
Clothing.
Foot soreness
Duty.
Diseases.
Hospital.
Drainage.
Water-supply.
General con
-clusions.
112
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Vaccination.
eruptive fevers (28), general debility (25), rheumatism (18), guinea-worm (17), dysentery (11),
and diarrhœa (8). Febricula and ague are endemic here in the rainy season, but the cause
of their special prevalence in this regiment is not apparent. The eruptive fevers consisted of
24 cases of chicken-pox (January to April), 2 of small-pox (April), and 2 of measles (April).
During the prevalence of small-pox in the station a rather severe outbreak occurred
among the followers and families of the 3rd Light Infantry. It commenced on the 17th March,
and lasted till the 5th July. During that period there were 154 cases with 12 deaths.
Vaccination has been impeded both this year and last by the great prevalence of
fever. One hundred and thirty operations from 1st January to 30th September 1872, of
which 99 successful. Of 66 young persons examined in the lines, 40 had had small-pox, and
26 had not. Of the former class, 10 bore vaccination marks and 30 had no marks or indis
-tinct ones. Of the latter class, 20 had vaccination marks, and 6 no marks or indistinct ones.
6th Regiment Madras A atibe Infantry.
This corps arrived from Nagode at Secunderabad early in December.
During most of the year it was under the medical charge of Surgeon A. Mac
-Arthur, but the report was written by Surgeon-Major L. W. Stewart, who suc
-ceeded him in the charge.
Climate.—The regiment having been at this station but 20 days, the influence of
climate on the men cannot be noticed.
Lines. —There are no barracks. The men live in huts, arranged in lines, with their families.
March.
Ventilation
and drainage.
March. —The regiment marched by wings from Nagode to Secunderabad. The right
wing left on the 16th November, and arrived on the 11th December 1872; the left wing
left on the 14th December 1872, and arrived on the 9th January 1873.
The position of the place of arms, Serjeants' quarters, and quarter-guard is on well
elevated ground, facing due north, open on all sides but the south, on which aspect officers'
quarters are contiguous; as regards height, windows, and doors, all are satisfactory.
Ventilation and drainage.—The ventilation of the men's huts is by means of the
doors, which is considered sufficient. The drainage is defective, being merely trenches dug
in the soil, consequently the liquid filth is absorbed, and in course of time the effluvium
must become deleterious to those living in the vicinity. The subject has been brought to the
notice of the authorities very frequently.
Water-supply.—The water has been of good quality and abundant. It is drawn from
wells chiefly, but tank water is also drunk when well water is brackish or considered bad.
Sanitary arrangements.— On the whole, and as far as practicable, the sanitary arrange
-ments have been properly attended to in the lines of the men, and there have been no local
causes of disease requiring removal beyond the state of the drainage.
Diet.—The chief article of food for native troops, viz., rice, was dear in this station
until the month of November ; mutton also was expensive and indifferent. Vegetables were
scarce. Troops receive compensation for dearness of rice.
Clothing—The clothing of the men has been sufficient and adapted to the climate.
Foot soreness.— There has been foot soreness amongst the men from defective boots.
The boots are greased to make them as comfortable and soft as it is possible to do.
Duty. —The men are on duty every fourth day, and the average number of nights they
have had in bed per week is 5.
Drill.
Sanitary con
-dition of lock
-up-rooms.
Vaccination.
Drill.—The morning drill lasts from one to one and a half hours, between 6-30 and 8
A.M. Up to this time the health of the men has not been affected by amount of drills.
Sanitary condition of lock-up-rooms.— The sanitary condition of these buildings has
been satisfactory in every particular.
Vaccination has been regularly kept up in the regiment, both amongst the men and
their families. No deaths from small-pox have occurred. None have been re-vaccinated
during the year.
Diseases.—No epidemic disease has occurred.
Hospital.—Ventilation satisfactory. No representations have been made. No over
-crowding.
Drainage.—Drainage naturally good. Latrine kept clean, and the dry-earth system
adopted.
Water-supply. —Water is brought to hospital by puckallies twice daily.
General, conclusions.— The men while at Nagode suffered much from intermittent
fever, but they are as a body healthy looking men ; a good many are old in appearance
and are under-sized, and will be discharged by a Medical Invaliding Committee.