Diet.
Duty.
Drill.
Exercises.
Sanitary con
- d i t i o n o f l o c k -
up-room.
Vaccination.
113
HYDERABAD SUBSIDIARY FORCE.
24th Regiment Aatibe Infantry.
The 24th formed part of the large garrison of Secunderabad, and Surgeon
A. Ferguson, M.D., was in medical charge, and wrote the report.
Climate .—With the exception of an unusually hot season and a rainfall during the
monsoon much greater than there has been for many years, the climate of the station has
been much the same as usual. These appeared to exercise little or no appreciable influ
-ence on the general state of health.
Medical topography .—Diseases of the zymotic class, such as intermittent and remittent
fevers (usually in a mild form), liver and local complaints more or less prevalent through
-out the year. Rheumatism, imperfect paralyses (acinesia with anæsthesia less marked) of
the extremities. beri-beri. and diseases of that class most commonly met with in the rains.
Climate.
Medical top
o-graphy.
Huts .—The sepoys live in huts situated in a low-lying flat part of the country, sur
-rounded in every direction except the north-east by paddy fields. From 1867 until 187
0 a g u e w a s v e r y p r e v a l e n t a m o n g t h e s e p o y s a n d o t h e r s l i v i n g i n t h e s e l i n e s .
Ventilation and, drainage .—Ventilation of guard-room and cells good. Ventilation of
huts mainly carried on through the door-way. The drains are all open, are kept clean, and
otherwise well attended to.
Huts.
Ventilation
and drainage.
Water-supply .—Supply of water during the year sufficient. An analysis of all the wells
in the lines has recently been made by the Analyst of Potable Waters.
According to his report, three wells only in the lines have been recommended as fit to
be used for drinking and cooking, and certain sepoys of the regiment are detailed to draw
water from them for the use of the whole regiment.
Sanitary arrangements .—The sanitary arrangement in the lines have been properly
attended to. The paddy fields in the immediate neighbourhood of them are supposed sources
of disease, but their removal is found to be impracticable.
Water-supply.
Sanitary ar
-rangements.
Diet.—Provisions generally dear but plentiful supply of common country vegetables as
a rule good. Compensation allowed for the dearness of provisions.
Duty .—The usual regimental parades, guards, and garrison duties. Effects on health
good. Average number of nights in bed per week 6.40.
Drill.—The drills have been four a week, and each about an hour in duration. During
the hot weather from 5-30. A.M., and in the cold weather from 6 A.M.
Exercises.—There is a gymnasium in the lines, which is well attended. A number of
the younger men, perhaps about thirty, are fair cricketeers. They play usually twice a week.
Sanitary condition of Lock-up-room .—The sanitary condition of lock-up-rooms and
prison cells, as regards cubic space, ventilation, warming, and cleanliness, has been satisfac
-tory. No defects injurious to the health of prisoners.
Vaccination.—All the men in the regiment have either had small-pox or been vaccinated.
No cases of small-pox have occurred among the men. Re-vaccination will be commenced
in a short time.
Diseases.—One naigue was admitted for cholera on the 19th March 1872, and discharged
to duty on the 30th of the same month. So far as could be ascertained there were no other
cases of that disease in the lines or neighbourhood at the time, and no communication with
affected persons or localities could be traced. There were five cases of small-pox during
the year (one woman and four children). They all recovered.
There has been no overcrowding or defect of ventilation, nor ,any defects in drainage,
latrines, or water-supply, diet, clothing, extra fatigue, &c., to which the occurrence of these
diseases can be atributed.
Hospital .—Ventilation of hospital good. No overcrowding.
The drains are in good condition; earth sewage is carried out as far as practicable.
Alterations in the construction of the latrines recommended.
General conclusions .—The regiment has been fairly healthy throughout the year,
although the death-rate has been unusually high; but these for the most part were the result
of diseases contracted in former years.
The following are extracts from the Deputy Surgeon-General's report on
the corps :—
Lines .—The conservancy of these lines is carefully attended to, but they have at pre
- s e n t a m o s t d i l a p i d a t e d a p p e a r a n c e f r o m t h e e f f e c t s o f t h e r e c e n t h e a v y r a i n s . B e i n g t h e
oldest lines in the station, they have suffered proportionately; about 30 houses and a great
number of walls have fallen down.
No changes have been made during the year.
Drainage is sufficient by natural configuration of the ground, aided by open side drains.
Sanitary condition of all buildings .—The guard-rooms, cells, Staff Serjeants', and
Apothecary's quarters are clean and in good order, The school-rooms were closed on
account of a holiday.
Diseases.
Hospital.
General con
-clusions.
Lines.
Sanitary con
- d i t i o n o f a l l
buildings.