Bedding and
furniture.
Diet.
Principal
diseases.
Ventilation
and drainage
Nuisance.
116
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Hospital.
Medical Officer of the regiment. Another small Nizam's village of about 30 houses
(Beguntapoor) close to the lines on the west also needs attention.
Hospital.—No change has been made in the hospital during the year. It is clean, and
in good order, and is well ventilated by doors and windows below, and clerestory windows
above. The accommodation is more than ample, Drainage natural and sufficient, Water
brought by puckallies from the wells in the lines. The latrine is in good order and of
ample size. Dry earth and coal tar are in use. There are no cess-pools or foul drains.
Vaccination.
Bedding and furniture .—Kept up according to regulation and in good condition, with the
exception of some articles become unserviceable. These have just been condemned by a
committee of survey, and indent for their replacement submitted.
Diet.—Native sick diet themselves, but extras (mutton, milk, &c.,) are provided for them
when considered absolutely necessary by the Medical Officer.
Principal diseases .—This regiment on the whole has been very healthy ever since arrival
here. The principal diseases during the current year have been. ague (94), dysentery (11),
chicken-pox (6), diarrhœa (4), and small-pox (2).
There have been 6 casualties, viz., 2 from general debility, 2 from small-pox, 1 from
ague, and 1 from endocarditis. One of the deaths from small-pox was in a man disabled
by leprosy, and who was just about to be brought before an invaliding committee. Both
men had been previously vaccinated.
Among the families and followers an outbreak of small-pox occurred, commencing in the
beginning of April and terminating in the middle of July. The total attacks were 56 and
deaths 2.
Vaccination .—One hundred and fifty-eight operations since 1st January, of which 134
successful. Of 29 young persons collected with some difficulty in the lines, 7 had had small
-
pox and 22 had not. Of the former class, one only bore marks of vaccination, of the latter
15 bore vaccination marks, and 7 had either no marks or indistinct ones.
Climate.
The March.
4 0 t h B e g i m e n t M a d r a s A a t i b e I n f a n t r y .
The 40th arrived from Saugor at Secunderabad sometime in December and
continued there throughout the year. Surgeon-Major Trimnell, who was in
medical charge, reports as follows :—
Climate .—The climate of Saugor, Central Provinces, where the 40th Madras Native
Infantry stationed from 1st January to 16th November when the head-quarters and a wing
left en route to Secunderabad, leaving one wing to follow in January, was during this time
tolerably cool, the hot weather was of short duration, and the rainfall abundant during
the monsoon months. The climate of Secunderabad, where the regiment has only been
a week, will be noticed in next annual return.
The March .—The head-quarters and left wing of the regiment left Saugor en route
for Secunderabad on the 16th of November, marching to Jubbulpore, from thence proceeded
by rail to Gulburgah, and from thence marched to Secunderabad, arrived here on the 23rd
of December. During the journey the men enjoyed good health, and the cases of sickness that
occurred were not of a serious character.
Native Troops are not housed in barracks, but in huts, which at Saugor are the
property of Government, but at Secunderabad belong to the men. At the former station
they are small, but at the latter are larger and higher. The lines occupied by the 40th at this
station are known as the Tai Bundi, and are to the west of the Nagpore road. The site is
slightly raised above the surrounding country. As rice cultivation is carried on in the
immediate vicinity, it is probable that during certain months of the year the position
is malarious.
At Secunderabad the huts occupied by the Native Officers and Non-commissioned have
more than one room a piece, whilst the private has only one. A Subadar's hut consists of five
rooms, having an aggregate of 379 superficial feet. A Jamadar's, four rooms, with an aggregate
of 284 superficial feet. A Havildar's, three rooms, with an aggregate of 155 superficial
feet. A Naigue's, two rooms, with an aggregate of 120 superficial feet. A private's hut has
one room, with an area of 72 superficial feet. The height of each room from the ground
to the wall plate varies from six to seven feet and to the centre of the roof eight to nine
feet. In addition to the above accommodation all the huts have a low verandah partially
shut in for a kitchen. They have an enclosed space in front much larger than the hut itself
and, as the walls forming it are pretty high, the occupants enjoy much privacy in the open,
air.
Ventilation and drainage .—Some few of the huts have an opening in the wall for the
admission of light and air, but most of them have no means of ventilation but that which
takes place through the door and tiles.
Nuisance.—No nuisance has been noticed during the year.