NAOPORE FORCE.
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The hospital accommodation, though generally sufficient, was not enough during the months
of September, October, and November.
The Detail Hospital was also slightly overcrowded, so that the additional accommoda
-tion required for the regimental sick was obtained by using the hospital verandah with the
purdahs let down, taking care to arrange the sick so as not to interfere with the ventilation
of the hospital.
The duties of the men, though considerably increased during the drill season, do not
appear to be severe or injurious to health.
Head-Quarters, 32nd Regiment Aatibe Infantry.
The head-quarters of this corps occupied Hoshungabad during 1872, and
the annual report was written by Surgeon-Major A. L. T. Cooke.
Climate is of medium character, neither excessively hot nor cold. The cantonment of
Hoshungabad is 1,500 feet above the sea. The cold season is seldom cold enough to be
thoroughly bracing. December and January are moderately cold, particularly in the early
mornings, average temperature being 56.0, and frosts are not uncommon. An easterly wind
is prevalent during these months, being the cause of much sickness among the sepoys in the
form of intermittent fever. The sun throughout the day during these months is not
excessive, and moderate walking exercise can be taken without causing distress. In the hot
season the sun during the day is excessively powerful. After sunset there is a marked
diminution in the temperature, and the nights are cool, and this is in a great measure owing
to the nature of the soil—black cotton—which has the property of retaining moisture for a
great length of time, and the quantity of evaporation which is continually occurring is the
cause of the decrease of temperature. The rains commence somewhat late, but are heavy
and continuous. During the monsoon the inhabitants are generally healthy; severe ailments
are not as a rule met with.
Water .—The natives of the district derive their water for drinking and other purposes
from rivers and nullahs; the inhabitants of Hoshungabad obtain their supply from wells.
There are three wells in the immediate vicinity of the hospital, all containing good, whole
-some Water.
Climate.
Water.
Hospital .—Is built upon a slight elevation, as also the latrine, which is favorable for
drainage; this being natural, there are no made drains. There is ample accommodation in
the hospital, the general ward capable of containing 28 men, allowing each man 1,200
cubic feet. The atmosphere of the ward is perfectly pure, ventilation through windows
placed opposite and six feet in height, the ward is therefore light and cheerful. There is an
additional ward of the following dimensions, length 48, breadth 18, capable of accommodat
-ing 14 patients if is a continuation of the general ward separated from it by a, thick wall.
Duties .—The duties of the men have been those as laid down in former reports, viz.,
regimental duties with garrison guards. The duties are not in the least excessive, and, as a
body, the men appear to be in the enjoyment of very good health.
Hospital.
Duties.
C Classes of diseases.—The present annual return shows a decrease of sickness, the total
admission being 314. Under the head of fever there was 177 admissions, and the deaths
from the same cause were three, viz., remittent fever one, continued fever one, intermittent
fever one.
Cholera .—In all amongst the men of the regiment and followers there were six cases,
with five deaths, during the year. The disease was confined to two families in the lines,
and the origin and cause of the outbreak is supposed to have been the eating of unwhole
-some fish.
Classes of dis-
eases.
Cholera.
Vaccination .—During the year vaccination was kept up amongst the recruits and
regimental followers and families of the sepoys. No case of small-pox has occurred in this
station during the year.
Vaccination.
Deputy Surgeon-General Tribe, who inspected the wing, &c., reported as
follows :—
Hospital.—When I approached the hospital I found its general appearance much
improved, and was told that it had been re-thatched; but, upon entering, I found that it had
been re-roofed, and upon inquiry that it had been re-built, nothing of the old hospital
being left but the floors of the wards and the doors and windows, including their frames. I
was told that the walls had been re-built from their foundations, which had been deepened.
This was done in the Spring of 1872; but in October 1871 Dr. Williamson describes the
hospital as a thatched building in good repair. But what appears to me extraordinary is
that the Divisional Head of the Medical Department should never have heard of one of the
Hospital.
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