SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
There is a great difficulty in examining bodies, as they should be examined, consequent
on the want of a deadhouse; all bodies have to be examined in the verandah of the hospital.
Thirty men were sent up before the Invaliding Committee in Poona, of whom 17 were
rejected, and have been obliged to be kept in hospital, nearly the whole period that has elapsed
since then.
On the arrival of the regiment in Poona, 2 havildars were sent before a Special Invalid
-ing Committee, one suffering from great debility and the other from a large inguinal hernia
on the right side.
Two European officers and seven men have proceeded on sick leave during the year, the
latter for periods varying from four to twelve months.
Vaccination has been steadily practised throughout the regiment, not only among infants
but a large number of the men have been re-vaccinated.
H. M.'s 13TH REGIMENT N.I.
AHMADNAGAR.—In Medical Charge of Surgeon W. T. D. TICEHURST; Strength 650.
The right wing of the regiment arrived at Ahmadnagar in December 1871. The left
wing and head-quarters on the 3rd February 1872. The health of the regiment has much
improved since its arrival at this station, as the following table of increase and decrease will
show:—
H. M.'s 13th Regiment N. I.
1871.
1872.
Increase. Decrease.
Remarks.
Strength . . .
Europeans . . .
6.4
6.5
0.1
. . .
Natives . . .
632.0 650.1
18.0
. . .
Admissions . . .
868
753
. . .
115
Daily average number of sick . . .
23.8
18.8
. . .
5.0
Treated to strength . . .
14.1
11.7
. . .
3.6
Died in hospital . . .
9 .
3.
. . .
6 .
Died out of hospital . . .
. . .
*1
*1
. . .
* Sudden death
from heart
disease.
Sent on sick certificate . . .
12
8
. . .
4
Invalided . . .
13.
15.
2.
. . .
The chief cause of admissions has been from fibricula, of which 228 cases are recorded.
Ague 94 cases against 137 of the preceding year. Bronchitis, chronic, 30 cases, dysentery 12
cases, diarrhœa 12, and contusion, chiefly shoebites, 80. The fevers generally were of a mild
form and easily amenable to treatment. Four cases of remittent fever, were entered, of which
one proved fatal; this case occurred in a young recruit lately joined, who contracted fever on
the road; he died ten days after admission from exhaustion.
Of chronic rheumatism 3 remained from last year, and only 9 were admitted against 34
of the proceeding year.
Of syphilis three cases of primary and eight of secondary syphilis are recorded. Of scurvy
only 4 cases were admitted, and one remained from last year, of these two were discharged
cured to duty.
Lumbago.—Eighteen cases are recorded, 17 were discharged to duty, and one remained
on the 1st January 1873.
Paraplegia.— Under this head one fatal case is recorded. The paralysis was the
result of severe concussion of the spinal cord and brain. The deceased was a havildar in
the regiment, and had been attacked and beaten and thrown violently down by a sepoy
(Punjabee): death occurred on the 10th day. The patient was quite conscious when brought
into hospital. The result of a post mortem examination was recorded in the remarks in the
monthly return for December.
Disease of the Respiratory System. —Thirty-one cases of chronic bronchitis were treated
during the year: all discharged to duty.
Disease of the intestines.—Twelve cases of dysentery were treated, all were of a mild
character. Twelve cases of diarrhœa are recorded, and twenty-four cases of colic.