52
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The following present the monthly progress of the disease in the shape of admissions:—
April
.
.
.
4
May
.
.
. 16
June
.
.
. 44
July
.
.
. 91
August . . . 36
September . . . 18
October . . . 22
November . . .
6
Total . . . 237
During the rains there were several admissions on account of dysentery, not of an acute
type, but obstinate and continuing for a long time in a chronic form.
Cholera existed for some months in and around Poona ; not a single case occurred in the
2nd Grenadier Regiment, though all the regiments, European and native, at the station, suf
-
fered more or less severely from the epidemic. I have no theory to suggest in explanation of
the immunity the regiment enjoyed, nor were any precautions taken, which, as far as I am
aware, were not equally carried out in those regiments which were affected.
During the year seven deaths occurred ; as they have been each reported upon in the
monthly returns, it is unnecessary to recapitulate them here.
I regret that some delay has occurred in the preparation of this report, due to my sudden
and unexpected departure from Poona for Aden on the 11th January, preventing its prepara
-
tion before that date. The record books were with the head-quarters of the regiment, and it
was not until the 17th instant that I have been able to have access to them.
H. M.'S 8TH REGIMENT, BOMBAY N.I.
POONA :—In medical charge of Surgeon A. W. G. ADEY ; Strength 660.
The average strength of the 8th Regiment N. I., has been 660. The total of admissions,
1,493. The daily average number of sick for each month has been as follows :—
January, 19.8 ; February, 17.9 ; March, 24.1 ; April, 38.2 ; May 44.2 ; June, 45.6 ; July,
35.2 ; August, 29.5, September, 33.5; October, 38.9 ; November, 43.7 ; December, 35.4.
The prevailing diseases, intermittent fever and dengue, the latter from May to October
inclusive. Three deaths have occurred. Thirty-nine recruits have joined during the year.
Twenty-eight men have had sick leave during the year ; and thirty-three have been invalided.
The regimental lines have been condemned, and preparations are being made for the
construction of the new ones on the eastern side of the cantonment. The situation of the
present lines is open and well exposed to the breeze, but the site is too level to make drainage
effectual ; the nature of the soil too tends to the lodgment of water ; both of these defects will
be remedied in the site chosen for the new lines.
The hospital is well built, divided into two wards, floored with stone, and, as far as space
is concerned, fairly adapted to the ordinary requirements of a native regiment. The space
provided for inlet and outlet of air are sufficient in area, but are ineffectual, owing to faults of
construction. The building faces north and south or nearly so, and on the eastern and
western ends, one small window only exists, by which air can enter. The dispensing and
writing room, moreover, is placed between the two wards, and partially obstructs the passage
of air through the building. A separate ward is much wanted for the accommodation of
persons whom it may be desirable to keep apart from the other patients ; two, small, dark,
ill-ventilated closets are the only accommodation of this kind existing. No accommodation
exists in the hospital, or in any out-buildings for the performance of post mortem examina
-
tions. The cookrooms and houses of the hospital attendants are too close to the main build
-
ings, and to their proximity, at one end of the building, is partly due the ineffectual ventila
-
tion. The distance between the present hospital and the site for the new lines, is about three
fourths of a mile.
The conservancy of the lines is well looked after. The Trench system is the one in use.
The trenches are situated at about 300 yards distant from the lines to the northward.
The water-supply is in quantity sufficient, but its quality is suspicious. The well from
which the generality of men draw their supply of drinking-water is too near to the trenches
used for the deposits. This was pointed out some months ago to the commanding officer, and
since that time the trenches have been (dug as far away from the wells as possible. I believe
that no other piece of ground, except that in use, would be available for the same purpose.
I am not aware of any objection to the other well used by the men and their families.