80
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Water-supply.
Duties.
Conservancy
of the neigh
bourhood.
Hospital.
Bedding and
furniture.
Principal
diseases.
the structure of the huts, the nature of the soil upon which they stand, and of which they
are built, are taken into consideration, is creditable to the regimental authorities. The
immediate neighbourhood is kept very clean. Much prickly-pear bush has been removed,
but a good deal still remains around the tank to the south-west of the lines. There has also
been some trouble regarding the pollution of the water of this tank by rotten vegetation,
eradicated prickly-pear which was buried some time ago too close to it. But this is of less
importance, now that there is an abundant supply from other sources.
Water-supply.—Two months ago the supply became very limited and precarious, but
rain very opportunely fell, and now the supply is abundant. The water of the tank to the
south-west of the lines was polluted by rotting vegetation buried too near, but this was
remedied by directing the sepoys to boil the water before use, a precaution which the
medical officer assures me he has reason to believe was readily and generally adopted.
Duties.—Not prejudicial to health. Three and four nights in bed to one on duty.
Conservancy of the neighbourhood.—The immediate neighbourhood of the lines is open,
and the surface clean. Much prickly-pear bush has been removed, but some still remain to
be eradicated and buried, especially in the neighbourhood of the tank above referred to.
Hospital. —The hospital was fully described last year, and a plan sent. No alterations
have been effected since. I would again advise the demolition of the old and dilapidated
buildings standing in the compounds referred to in last year's report, and I think the outside
latrine might also be demolished, the latrines attached to the wards (see plan) being alone
used. Dr. Thompson does use his for special cases, but I don't see the necessity for keeping
up the double system. The hospital is scrupulously clean, and well ordered in every
respect ; ventilation and drainage good. Water-supply abundant, and general conservancy
well attended to. Coal-tar is freely used in the latrines. The condition of the walls
referred to in the report on 4th Regiment is an eye-sore. I find it is due not to delique-
scence of salts in the water used to mix the mortar, but to unslaked lime having been used
in the mortar.
Bedding and furniture. —Iron cots with boards, bedding in accordance with the
regulation, and all good and serviceable and scrupulously clean. I may add that both in
this and the 4th Regiment the sick now wear the fatigue dress, which gives an air of cleanli-
ness, comfort, and uniformity to the appearance of the wards.
Principal diseases. —The strength of the regiment on date of inspection is as noted
below. The present state of sick is 1 European Officer and 5 sepoys. The admissions since
last inspection has been 252 with 6 deaths, 7 sent away on sick certificate, and 19 inva-
lided :—
Troops.
European Officers, &c....
...
11
Native
do
... ...
...
...
...
... 16
Non-commissioned Rank and File
...
...
... 680
Pensioned and Recruit Boys ... ...
... ...
54
750
F a m i l i e s , & . c
Adaults
Males .. ...
... ... ... .. ..
202
Females.. ... ...
...
705
Males ...
... 387
Children
Females
... ...
...
....
...
. . . 397
1,691
Total Natives... 2,441
Vaccination.
There has not been any particular prevalence of disease. A few cases, fifteen
altogether, of small-pox occurred two in sepoys, seven in women, and six children. There
are no deaths by it.
Statistics of sickness and mortality will be given in detail in the annual report. The
health of the regiment has been fair, if not good.
Vaccination has been carefully attended to. There are only 28 persons in the whole
regiment who are not protected, and these are children under six months of age. There
is a prejudice against vaccination at so early an age. Three hundred and seventy-four
operations were performed, of which 209 are returned as successful ; many of the failures
were re-vaccinated.