134
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
General con-
clusions.
General conclusions.— The health of the regiment has been good during the last year,
the admissions into hospital being 149, showing a slight increase of six over the admissions
of the preceding year. There have been eight deaths during the year, five in hospital,
each one from intermittent fever, diarrhoea, abscess, paralysis, and bronchitis, two on sick
leave, one each from asthma and diarrhœa, and one death out of hospital from heart disease.
Climate.
Diseases of
the district.
Position of
barracks.
Rooms.
Ventilation
an d drainage
of the men's
huts.
Has there benr
nuisance dur
¬ing the year.
Water-supply.
State whether
provisions
have been
cheap and
plentiful.
Clothing.
Duty and
Exercises.
Drill.
Exercise.
Vaccination.
SAUGOR CIRCLE.
Average daily strength present during the year......
... 2,613
Do.
sick per cent. to average strength...
...
2.33
Ratio of mortality do. do....
...
...
...
1.10
The troops in this circle are under the administrative charge of the Deputy
Inspector-General of the Bengal Service, who does not submit any annual
reports to this office as to the results of his inspection of Madras Corps.
3 r d R e g i m e n t L i g h t C a b a l r y .
This corps was stationed at Saugor during the year, and was under the
medical charge of Surgeon C. Cooper, M.D.
Climate. —The range of the thermometer is very great, from 109° in the shade in the het
season to 32° in the cold weather. The alternations are also sudden.
The different seasons have been average ones, and have not exercised any peculiar
influence on health or disease.
Diseases of the district.— Fever of mild intermittent type is met with all the year
round ;but is most prevalent in the months of September, October, and November, when
the country is drying up after the rains.
Position of barracks.— The lines are to the north-east of the station, on elevated sloping
ground ;the position well chosen and healthy. They are sheltered from the east wind by
the hill behind them.
Rooms.—The huts originally built for the Bengal Irregular Cavalry are rather small
and ill-ventilated, but there are enough of them, and there is no overcrowding. In front
of each is a yard enclosed by bamboo tatties. The rows are separated by broad spaces in
the rear and in these spaces the horses are picketed.
Ventilation and drainage for the men's huts. —The ventilation of the guard-room is
good. The drainage of all is naturally good. In the dry season large earthenware vessels
(gumlahs) are let into the drains in front of each hut to receive the waste and refuse water,
and prevent it from soaking into the black soil. The contents are removed twice a day.
In the rains these are removed and the holes filled up, the flow of water then being quite
sufficient to carry off all impurities.
Has there been any nuisance during the year.—None. Any negligence temporarily
of the sweepers on being brought to the notice of the Officer Commanding has been promptly
remedied.
Water-supply.—The water is derived from wells ; it is hard, but sweet and sufficient
for all purposes at all seasons.
State whether provisions have been cheap and plentiful.—Provisions have been cheap
and abundant ; vegetables are plentiful throughout the cold season. The average compensa-
tion for the dearness of rice amounted to Rupees 33 for the year per man.
Clothing.—The uniform is varied according to the season ;boots, often ill¬made, are
worn without socks, and men are often temporarily disabled in consequence. In undress the
quilted cotton mirzai is generally adopted.
The latest boots are well made, and socks have been ordered to wear with the boots ;
no late instance of foot soreness on record.
Duty and exercises.—The usual regimental and brigade parades and guard duties.
The duties have not exercised any injurious influence on the health of the men.
The average number of nights in bed at head¬quarters was 5.26.
Do. do on detachment at Jubbulpore 5.93.
Drill.—Stables every day for two hours.
Three parades per week of one hour's duration each.
The above have not exercised any injurious influence on the health ;no recommendations
were required.
Exercise.—No provision for games or gymnastics.
Vaccination.—There were 236 vaccinations during the year, successful 114, unsuccessful
108, doubtful 12, unknown 2. Every one now in the regiment and in the families is now
protected by vaccination,