Diseases.
General con
-clusions.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
73
CEDED DISTRICTS.
Diseases .—A few cases of malarious fever have been treated since the arrival of the
regiment at this station of a mild quotidian character, and principally in long-service men.
I am unable to assign a cause.
General conclusions.—From the above return it may be deduced that, as regards
sanitary arrangements, the health of the regiment has been remarkably good for the period
under consideration, viz., from 4th to 31st December 1872.
The following are extracts from the inspection report:—
Regimental lines .—No change has been made in these lines during the year. They are
quite clean but have a rather dilapidated appearance, just now, having suffered considerably
from the heavy and continuous rain of the last few days. Some huts and many walls have
fallen down. These damages will be repaired as soon as the weather permits. Drainage is
natural by configuration of the ground, aided by open side drains. These also have been
damaged by the heavy rainfall, and need repairing.
Water-supply .—From wells: quality generally indifferent. Since there have been threat
-enings of cholera in various directions, five wells, most generally used for drinking and
cooking purposes, have been placed under sentries to prevent pollution, and the use of water
from any other wells for these purposes has been prohibited.
Duties.—Not prejudicial.
Regimental
lines.
Water-supply.
Duties.
Conservancy .—The conservancy of the neighbourhood of the lines and hospital is satis
-factory.
Hospital .—No change has been made in the hospital during the year. It is clean
and in good order. Ventilation sufficient by doors and windows below, and swing ventilators
above. Accommodation ample. Drainage natural and sufficient. The latrine is an excellent
one of ample size, well ventilated and perfectly free from smell. Dry earth and coal tar in
use. A shed outside for storing the earth would make this latrine complete. There are no
cess-pools or foul drains. Water is brought by puckallies from the wells in the lines. A bath
-room is needed for the hospital.
Principal diseases .—The men of this regiment have been very healthy during the year.
The principal diseases were, in the order of their frequency, ague (40), contusions (12), guinea
-worm (4), and dysentery (3). Only one casualty occurred from dysentery among the families
and followers. Amongst the children there was an outbreak of small-pox, which commenced
in the end of December 1871, and terminated in the middle of May 1872. The total attacks
were 149, and the deaths 4.
Vaccination .—Three hundred and seventeen successful operations since 1st January. Of
54 young persons examined in the lines on the day of inspection, 22 had small-pox, and 32
had not. Of the latter class, the whole bore marks of vaccination. Of the former 14 had
vaccination marks, and 8 had not.
Principal di
s-eases.
Vaccination.
2nd
Regiment Light Cabalry.
This corps continued at Bellary until the middle of December, when it
commenced a march to Kamptee. As it was en route on the 31st December, the
extracts from the annual report have been entered here instead of under the
Nagpore Force. Surgeon-Major E. Dixon was in medical charge.
Climate .—The first two months of the year at Bellary, though not cold, were agreeable.
The hot season may be considered to have been a moderate one. There was very little rain
during the greater part of the monsoon, though cool winds prevailed until September and
October, when there was an abundance, making the total fall amount to between 19 and 20
inches, which exceeded the average, and from that period until the 14th December, when
the regiment left Bellary, the climate was very agreeable, though it never could be
pronounced to be cold. Small-pox prevailed during the first half of the year amongst the
inhabitants of the Brucepettah, Cowle Bazaars, and the camp-followers of the native
corps, and a good many cases occurred amongst the sepoys of the Native Infantry Regi
-ments. Whilst dengue fever prevailed during the latter part of the year in the same bazaar
and in the native corps (cavalry and infantry) whether the small-pox was influenced by the
climate is doubtful; but, as dengue fever prevailed during the year over a great portion of
Southern India, it was probably not influenced by the climate of Bellary.
Lines .—The lines which were occupied by the men of the regiment during the year are
situated at the south-west of the cantonment adjoining the Cowle Bazaar, but, notwithstand
-ing their unfavorable position, they were not found to be unhealthy. The huts which were
occupied by the men are of a very inferior description, and insufficiently ventilated, and
therefore cannot be conducive to health, though the men did not suffer in health from then
faulty construction.
Climate.
Lines.
Water-supply .—Water was procured from five wells in the lines and immediate
neighbourhood. From only one (which was deepened during the year) a constant supply
Water-supply.
19