BRITISH BURMAH DIVISION.
125
Diet. —Provisions have been supplied by the Commissariat Department in accordance Diet.
with the scale laid down for Native Troops on foreign service. They have been of very
fair quality, with the single exception of ghee, which is never very good in Burmah. Vege-
tables were abundant. The rations being supplied free by Government, no compensation
is demanded. Taking into consideration the circumstances named, the dieting of the
troops has, in my opinion, been sufficiently varied and good to maintain the men in health
and strength. No changes were considered necessary.
Clothing. —The clothing has been changed from time to time with change of seasons, Clothing.
and has thereby been adapted to the climate.
I consider the men off duty (not in uniform) far too lightly clad in the cold weather
here. Rheumatism and febrile attacks are common in consequence of insufficient clothing.
Duty.—The duties of the sepoys are of the usual garrison and regimental character. Duty.
They have not been excessive, nor have they been hurtful to health. The average number
of nights in bed was five.
Drill.—Drill, during the drill season, between the hours of 6 and 8 A.M., occasionally Drill.
in the evenings also between 5 and 6-30. In the hot season between the hours of 5 and 7 A.M.
Influence on health good.
Vaccination. —The re-vaccination of the whole regiment was commenced late in Vaccination.
December ; results not yet ascertainable. No case of small-pox occurred during the year.
Diseases.—The only epidemic which prevailed during the year was dengue, which Diseases.
Day of
Mouth.
NUMBER OF CASES.
Day of
Month.
NUMBER OF CASES.
April.
May.
June.
April.
May.
June.
1
...
12
1
18 ...
...
9 ...
2
...
31
...
19 ...
...
6
...
3
...
2 1
...
20 ...
...
5
2
4
...
3 1
...
21 ...
...
3
...
5
...
19
2
22 ...
...
1
...
6
19
. . . 23
...
. . .
3
...
7
...
19
. . .
24 ...
. . .
1
. . .
8
...
25
1
25 ...
...
2
2
9
...
11
...
26 ...
...
1
...
10
...
11
1
27 ...
5
2
...
11
...
8
2
28 ...
3
...
...
12
...
18
...
29 ...
6
...
...
13
...
16
2
30 ...
7
...
...
14
...
9
1
31 ...
...
...
...
15
..
12
...
16
....
13
3
17
...
9
1
Total ...
21
317
18
appeared in the regiment in
the end of April. The disease
was believed to have been
introduced into the district by
the river steamers plying
between Rangoon and this sta-
tion. It had prevailed among
the inhabitants of the native
town for several clays before
showing itself in the regiment.
On the 27th April the first cases
occurred in the regiment.
The annexed table will show
at a glance the progress,
decline, and ultimate dis-
appearance of the disease. It
will be observed that most of
the cases occurred in the first
half of May, that they got gra
- d u a l l y f e w e r i n t h e l a t t e r
half of that month, and that
they occurred sporadically, and finally ceased in June. The average duration of the cases
was four days, but many men remained as convalescents after discharge front hospital on
account of debility induced by the disease. I found one case to have remained under treat-
ment 32 days, two others for 26 clays, and a few others for short periods, but far exceeding
the average duration of cases. One death occurred, the result " I found recorded." No
doubt of active cerebral determination. Most of the officers suffered from the disease. The
European Regiment was attacked about a fortnight after the Native Regiment suffered con-
siderably, but the Artillery had only two cases.
Ventilation excellent ; no representations have been made on the subject.
There has been no overcrowding of the hospital wards.
Drainage. —No drains in connexion with the hospital. Latrines kept in good sanitary
condition. The earth sewage has been efficiently carried out.
Water-supply. —Water-supply good from well in hospital compound.
General conclusions.—The health of the regiment for the year has been on the whole
good, the admissions to an average strength of 691 being 778. The epidemic of dengue
was clearly exceptional ; and if the number of admissions from this disease directly (343)
be deducted, the health of the regiment would show very favorably (760—343==417). The
ratio per 10,000 of admissions from all causes was 1,125. Average daily sick 16.06. Average
daily sick per 1,000 of strength 23 .7. Deaths two—one from dengue and one from bronchitis.
The highest number of admissions (334) too k place in the month of May, the lowest (12) in
January while the regiment was en route to this station. The lowest at this station (18)
occurred in March.
Febrile diseases gave (433) more than half the total admissions. Chronic rheumatism
in most instances following upon an attack of dengue, was the cause of 96 admissions.
There were singularly few cases of bowel disease, only 14 admissions from dysentery and
8 from diarrhoea. No case of hepatitis, and only two of spleen disease. Venereal diseases
were very few in number. Only one case of primary syphilis and three of gonorrhœa. Cuta-
neous diseases give a. large number of admissions, thieve being 50 cases of itch alone.
Accidental injuries furnish 35 admissions, No case of a. severe description.
Hospital.
Ventilation.
Drainage.
water-supply.
General con
-c lusions.