Nuisance.
Water-supply.
Drill.
Exercises.
Sanitary con
-
dition of Lock
-
up-rooms.
Vaccination.
110
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
3 r d R e g i m e n t L i g h t I n f a n t r y .
The 3rd continued to form part of the garrison of Secunderabad during the
year, and Surgeon L. C. Nanney held medical charge. Having left, however,
about the end of the year, his successor Surgeon McNally wrote the report:—
Climate.
Medical to
-pography.
Lines.
Climate.—Dr. Nanney's report which is appended gives much fuller information on the
subject than I am in a position to do, as I was attached to the regiment for only the last
fortnight of 1872. During the latter period the temperature has been low, and cool breezes
prevailed. In the morning and evening dense mists have frequently drifted over the lines
from the adjacent marshy villages: mild cases of ague were prevalent.
Medical topography.—The lines are situated south-east of, and close to the town of,
Secunderabad upon a slope looking north wards. The soil is sandy and principally composed
of granitic débris, and is impregnated with the liquid sewerage (as no means are provided
for its removal). The site appears good if proper drainage were provided. The principal
epidemic diseases are paroxysmal fevers, diarrhoea, and dysentery. There has been a little
cholera in the town of Secunderabad, but no cases have occurred in the regiment.
Lines .—There is only one barrack building, which is used for storing the arms.
Ventilation
and drainage.
i
The lines are built upon a slope facing towards the north. The position appears to be
as healthy as any in the vicinity.
Staff Serjeants' quarters are high, have proper windows and doors, and are built on a
good site. The men live in huts which are not usually provided with windows, and whose
means of ventilation are almost nil.
Ventilation and drainage. —Ventilation of guard-rooms and barrack-room is sufficient.
The ventilation of the huts is very bad, and the liquid sewerage is almost totally unprovided
for. The solid portion is removed every morning and deposited at a distance. There are
no funds available for the removal of soiled water as recommended by Dr. Nanney last
year. All the grant for conservancy of the lines is absorbed in providing for the removal
of solid sewerage and rubbish.
Nuisance.—None. There are no public latrines except at the hospital, and the dry-earth
system is properly carried out there.
Water-supply.—Water is abundantly obtained from four wells (one of which has been
condemned), and is said to be good, but this is very doubtful. Has not been analyzed.
Sanitary ar
-rangements.
Diet.
Sanitary arrangements.— The sanitary arrangements of the barracks have been properly
attended to. There appear to be no local causes of disease requiring removal, except the liquid
drainage, and very possibly the water may be a cause of disease which should be examined
and remedied, as well as the ventilation.
Diet .—Provisions of all kinds were dear. Rice, which was very dear, has diminished in
price from H.S. Rupees 24 per pullah to H.S. Rupees 13 to 18 for the last two months of
the year. Compensation was allowed for dearness of rice. Vegetables were plentiful.
Dieting.
Clothing.
Dieting.—It must be quite impossible for many of the men to feed themselves properly
on account of the large number of followers who are supported upon their pay. Improper
or insufficient food seems to be an abundant cause of disease. Single men, or men with small
families, can obtain very good diet.
Clothing.—The clothing has been well suited to the climate and season. There were no
changes recommended.
Footsoreness.
Duty.
Foot soreness.— Foot soreness were very common. I attribute them to (1) ill-fitting
boots, (2) no stockings being worn, (3) the usual custom of the men to wear no boots
except on duty. The sores usually get speedily cured by excusing the men from wearing
boots for a few days.
Duty .—Daily parades, drills, guards, escort and sentry duties. Most of the duties were
temporarily suspended during the fever epidemic in the regiment. Average number of
nights in bed ner week was 2 to 5.
Drill.— Drills take place daily from 6 to 7-30 A.M. and 4 to 6 P.M. Parades are usually
held three times a week. They were suspended during the prevalence of fever.
Exercises .—Colonel Freeze, the Commandant of the Regiment, has organized a gym
-
nasium. I consider it of great benefit to the recruits and men, who largely avail themselves
of it. No recommendations have been found necessary.
Sanitary condition of Lock-up-rooms.— The sanitary state of the cells and prisoners' room
has been satisfactory since I have joined the regiment. No recommendations were neces
-
sary.
Vaccination .—Forty-three men were vaccinated, 15 of whom were cases of re-vaccination,
of which 12 were successful and three failed. There were two cases of small-pox, one of
these bore marks of vaccination, the other did not; the latter died.
Diseases
.
Diseases.— I must refer to Dr. Nanney's report for an account of the fever epidemic
which visited this regiment during the year. During the last fortnight of the year very mild
cases of intermittent fever have been frequent; there were a few cases of mild dysentery and
one of severe remittent fever.