SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The rainfall during the past year has been reasonable, there having been 23 inches 95
cents, as compared with 13 inches 37 cents during 1871.
Mean Maximum.
Mean Minimum.
º
º
In Verandah . . .
9 6
6 7
In Hospital . . .
88
72
The small difference between the maximum in the verandah and the hospital, is accounted
for by the low walls and ceiling, and by the want of verandahs around the building, except on
the east side.
Vaccination has been regularly carried on during the year.
On the 28th October the regiment marched on Bombay for duty, during the visit of the
Governor General. The whole distance of over 140 miles was accomplished in nine marches
without a halt. The duty of the men, while stationed at Parch, was, to say the least of it, very
trying; but, nevertheless, the number of sick was comparatively small, and the regiment
marched again into Seroor on the 8th December with only one man on the sick list. I may
here remark that half the camping ground at Parell was so damp, as to be almost unfit for the
men to sleep on.
The dispensary, which was lately started at Seroor, has been of great advantage, and it is
moderately well attended. The building is substantial and commodious, the only objection
being its distance from the village. For the present, this cannot be avoided, as no other
house is available.
H. M.'s 11TH REGIMENT N.I.
SÁTÁRA.—In Medical Charge of Assistant Surgeon R. M. WALL; Strength 385.
On October 22nd I received medical charge of the regiment from Dr. Colston, and found
the head-quarter right wing in a good. state of health. The left wing of the regiment was
divided into two detachments, one being stationed at Asirgarh and the other at Bombay.
The daily average of sick in the hospital of the head-quarter wing was 10.5, and all the
eases were of a mild nature.
On November 8th the bead-quarter wing left Sátára en route to Poona, and arrived at
that station on the 15th instant.
During the march no severe cases occurred, but 21 cases of shœ-bite were treated—the
result of badly made and ill-fitting boots. While on field service at Poona, the health of the
sepoys was good, notwithstanding the heavy filll of rain. The Asirgarh detachment seemed
to suffer more than the head-quarter wing or Bombay detachment. Great care was taken to
keep the encamping ground clean, and trenches were dug to keep the rain from the tents.
Straw was provided for bedding.
The principal diseases which occurred while in Poona were as follows
: —
Bronchitis 4 cases, rheumatism 12 cases, splenitis 2 cases, diarrhœa 5 cases, dysentery 1 case,
ague 60 cases. None of these cases were of a serious nature, except one of ague, which occurred
in a sepoy of sixteen years' service; and when after severe fever chest complications set in,
recourse was had to stimulating treatment, with the best results.
The head-quarter wing left Poona on December 17th, and arrived here on the 23rd instant.
Under instructions received from the Quarter Master General, P. D. A., the marches were
changed, and trial was made of new encamping grounds, but the result was unsatisfactory,
and a report to that effect has been sent to the Quarter Master General, P. D. A., by the Officer
Commanding. Since the arrival of the head-quarter wing in Sátára, no serious cases have,
occurred.
There is no regimental hospital, and a bungalow in the officers' lines has been made use
of for that purpose. Neither the building nor the situation are suitable. The sanitary ar
- r a n g e m e n t s o f t h e s t a t i o n a r e v e r y d e f e c t i v e . N u l l a s , r u n n i n g c l o s e t o o f f i c e r s ' b u n g a l o w s , a r e
used by natives as latrines and waste pits, and brushwood grows unmolested along the public
roads. The lines are newly erected, well ventilated, and kept very clean.
Vaccination, has been regularly carried out.
Five cases of small-pox occurred during the year—3 in February, 1 in March, and one in
June; of these none were fatal.
No epidemic occurred, and no case of cholera.
66