Sanitary con
-dition &c.
Lavatories
and Baths.
Water-supply.
Sources.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
34
Lines.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
filth, together with the early removal of all dead leaves and other foreign substances from
the wells, have materially contributed to keep the Regiment healthy.
The Deputy Surgeon-General of the Circle reports as follows on the
corps :—
Lines.—The lines of this Regiment are to the north-east of the town of Palamcottah
on a site somewhat declivitous and free from all obstruction. The sepoys' huts are in
double rows running east and west, and on the rear are separated from each other by a
narrow lane. A broad unpaved street fronts each row, having, in close proximity to the
front, compound walls, where earth worn drains irregularly excavated by the action of storm
water. Thanks to the surface slope, liquid lodgement cannot take place, but a stone facing
so as to form a V shaped drain, is greatly needed. The huts are the usual mud walled, tile
roofed structures, with an absence of the means of ventilation, so absolutely necessary in
such contracted and it may be added, overcrowded spaces. The rows of huts though built
in continuous line, have these sub-divisions isolated from each other by mud walls, enclosing
narrow spaces. The front space, is encroached on by a walled off space, used as a domestic
latrine and lavatory. On the present occasion these lines and huts were found scrupu--
lously clean and well looked after. Latrines are not yet supplied, though it is understood
that this will not be long deferred.
Sanitary condition of all buildings— The place of arms, guard-rooms, and cells were
Found in excellent condition. There are no cess pools or drains in the vicinity of the lines.
Lavatories and Baths .—The men resort for bathing purposes to a large tank in the
neighbourhood of the lines. The families use the compartment in the compounds of their
huts for ablution purposes.
Water-supply .—An abundant and perennial supply of good water is obtained from
several deep wells with close vicinage of the lines. This water has not been analyzed. A
masonry platform inclining outwards prevents soakage, or accumulation of soiled water.
Duties.
Conservancy
of the neigh
- b o u r h o o d .
Principal dis
-eases.
Vaccination.
Duties .—Such as devolve on a sepoy corps in cantonment, and as such not by any
means excessive.
Conservancy of the neighbourhood .—This is well looked after by the regimental autho--
rities and is most satisfactorily conducted. Once a week the Medical Officer and Quarter
Master inspect these lines so as to enforce and secure thorough cleanliness, not only of the
streets but the domestic latrines with which each hut is furnished.
Principal diseases .—The principal diseases during the year under review were fevers,
bowel, rheumatism, abscess, and ulcers, and skin diseases. There were no excessive sick or
mortality.
Vaccination.—In the last annual report it was my pleasing duty to call attention to
the efforts the former Medical Officer, Dr. Morton, had bestowed on the vaccination of
the men of his Regiment and their families, the result being that while variola was
epidemic in the town, a complete immunity from the disease had rewarded these efforts.
Vaccination is still assiduously conducted by the present Medical Officer.
2 6 t h R e g i m e n t , N a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
Climate.
The 26th remained in Trichinopoly throughout 1872, and Dr. Duckworth
was in medical charge.
Climate .—The climate of Trichinopoly is very hot. April, May, and June are the hottest
months of the year. The north-east monsoon is experienced here setting in unusually about
the middle of October, and terminating towards the end of the year.
Average rainfall 35 Inches.
Average temperature 85° Fhr.
N.B .—The Meteorological observations are kept in the Observatory of the station.
Disease of the
District.
Disease of the district .—The prevailing diseases are fevers, diarrhœa, dysentery, catar-
rhal ophthalmia, guineaworm, bronchial and rheumatic affections. Cholera occasionally
epidemic, but this year in lieu of it we have had a new disease, namely, dengue.
Water-supply.
Water-supply .—Water-supply at all. times good and abundant.
Sources.—Wyacondan channel which derives its water from the Cauvery river, a large
stone tank, (supplied by the above channel) and from several wells in the lines.
Diet .—Provisions of all kinds plentiful and equal to any demand, prices moderate
during the year. Rice the staple article of consumption in southern part cultivated in a
large scale.
The average compensation per mensem received by the sepoy on account of dearness of
rice has been 12 annas.
Clothing .—Clothing of the men is adapted to the climate and season of the year.
Duty.—The duties of the men are neither irksome nor detrimental to health, and con-
sist of Drills and Parades, Route Marching, Guard Mounting and Brigade Exercise, cleaning