Medical topo
-
graphy.
Water-supply.
Sanitary ar
-
rangement in
the barracks.
Diet.
84
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Natural
features.
all fell after the beginning of June. In 1871 the fall was 162 inches, but it was distributed
all through the year. The average at this station is about 125 inches. No unusual influ
-
ence on health and disease has been exercised.
Natural features.—The country is undulating with many ridges of laterite rock, with
deep dells intervening ; it is well intersected with rivers. The town is crowded with
cocoanut trees, so much so that from an eminence hardly a house is to be seen. Cocoanut
trees also abound on all parts of the district near the sea. The vegetation throughout the
district is luxuriant. There is a good deal of jungle with intersecting grassy knolls. There
is little marsh land existing. Water is everywhere abundant and good, procured from
rivers and wells. The principal productions are rice, cocoanuts, sugar-cane, arecanut, and a
small quantity of raggy and tobacco.
Clothing.
Medical topography.—The luxuriant vegetation throughout the district is very condu
-cive to fevers, particularly in those parts near the ghauts. The principal diseases are inter
-mittent and remittent fevers, diarrhœa, and dysentery.
Water-supply.—Water good and abundant all the year round. No recommendations
have been necessary. Supply obtained from wells in the lines.
Sanitary arrangements in the barracks .—Sanitary arrangements have been satisfactory.
No local causes of disease have required removal.
Diet.— P r o v i s i o n s d u r i n g t h e p a s t y e a r h a v e b e e n m o d e r a t e l y c h e a p , e x c e p t d u r i n g t h e
monsoon in June, July, August, and September, when, owing to apprehension of a short
crop from very heavy rainfall, rice was very dear ; vegetables are abundant all the year
round. The troops have received the usual rice money, averaging Rupees 1-7-9 per mensem.
The diet is on the whole sufficiently nutritive, but on account of the dearness of mutton
many are deprived of it. Arrack and toddy are very cheap, and are too much resorted to.
Clothing.—Clothing has been sufficient and adapted to the climate. No changes have
been recommended.
Foot soreness
Duty.
Drill.
Sanitary
condition of
Lock-up
-
rooms.
Vaccination.
Hospital.
General con
-
clusions.
Foot soreness. —There have been many cases of slight foot soreness unavoidable in men
wearing English boots without stockings. On any slight abrasion a man is excused from
wearing his boots for a few days, which always has the desired effect. No recommenda
-
tion on the subject has been deemed necessary.
Duty,—The duties of the troops are light ; they are required to furnish only the usual
Regimental guards, and have not unfavorably influenced their health. Average number of
nights in bed 9.
Drill. —Drills generally take place daily during the fine weather from 6 to 7 A.M., except
on Sundays and Thursdays. They cannot parade very frequently during the monsoon. No
unfavorable influence on their health has occurred.
Sanitary condition of Loch-up-rooms. — T h e g u a r d - r o o m i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t l y c o m m o d i o u s ,
and enlargement has been recommended. The cells, on account of their dampness, could
not be used during the monsoon. They have now had deep trenches dug round them, and
one set is about to be asphalted. They are now in use, and will probably be fit for occupation
during the rains. No other defects regarding the health of prisoners have been observed.
Vaccination.—Vaccination is strictly carried out. No cases of small-pox have occurred.
Total vaccinated among troops and families 276, of whom 168 were successful. The whole
of the men have been lately examined, and only a very few were found to be unprotected
either from vaccination or small-pox.
Hospital.—Ventilation is good. No representations have been made. No overcrowd
-ing has taken place. State of drainage and latrines has been good, The dry-earth system
is carried out efficiently, No representations have been made. Water-supply abundant
and good.
General conclusions. —The sanitary state of the regiment has been very satisfactory,
The average strength was 627. The admissions were 159 less than the previous year. The
men are now becoming acclimatized to this coast. The admissions were only 47 more than
in Bellary, where they were before stationed, although during the monsoon the rainfall
was very heavy and much above the average. The men did not suffer nearly so much from
diarrhœa and dysentery as in the corresponding period of the previous year.
The principal admissions were from febricula, ague, chronic rheumatism, dysentery,
diarrhoea, abscess, general debility, and itch,
Europeans enjoy excellent health at this station.
Deputy Surgeon-General Johnston, M.D., who inspected the corps, reports
as follows
Lines.
Lines.—The
sanitary condition of the lines is generally good. The huts and streets of
the native lines are generally clean, and the utmost care is apparently bestowed in keeping
them so. The drainage is very effective, thanks to the declivitous nature of the surface
ground. In these huts ventilation must be reduced to a minimum, a defect which cannot fail
to react most injuriously on the health and efficiency of the sepoy inmates, especially when
regard is had to the fact that in each hut abode are huddled together not only the sepoy
himself, but also his family, and this for months together, night and day, owing to the per-