SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The Trench system of latrines has been in operation in the squadron and infantry dur
-
ing the year, the only drawback is the distance the women and children have to go, owing
to the situation of the only ground available for the purpose.
The health of the staff and details has been satisfactory during the year. One death
took place during the year from diarrhœa. The lascars occupy an old cookhouse which has
been partitioned off into the number of rooms required ; it is situated close to the cavalry hospital.
During the year the fall of rain has been above the average, and has amounted to 29
inches 3 cents. The following table shows the quantity of rain registered each month :—
Locality.
J a n u a r y .
F e b r u a r y .
M a r c h .
April.
M a y .
J u n e .
Jul y.
Au g u s t .
S e p t e m b e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
T o t a l .
Rainfall registered at
the hospital of H.
M.'s 23rd Regiment
N.L.I. . . .
I. C. I. C. I.
C. I.
C. I. C. I. C. I. C. I. C. I. C. I. C. I. C. I. C. I. C.
. . .
. . .. . .
. . .
. . . 20 . . .
. . .1
76
3
17 5 29
1 4
11 4 25
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . 25 29 3
Total . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . 20. . .
. . . 1
763
17 5 29 14
1 1
4
25
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . 25 29 3
RIGHT WING H.M.'s 25TH REGIMENT N.L.I.
AUGUR.—In Medical Charge of Assistant Surgeon R. CALDECOTT ; Strength 248.
Average strength . . .
248.27
Average daily sick . . .
9.26
The lines are in fair condition. They are built in four parallel rows, with a space of about
forty yards between each row. The rooting is not very good, and they were found to leak
considerably during the rains. The quarter and store-guard buildings have been condemned.
The lines are situated about three quarters of a mile to the north of the city of Augur, the
lines of the Central India Horse being between the two. The hospital stands about 800 yards
to the north-east of the lines. The drainage throughout the lines is fair. The latrines are
placed about 500 yards to the west of the lines. They are on the Trench system and work
satisfactorily. There are two large tanks on each side of the city. The bunds of both of these
are defective. The country to the south-east of the lines is constantly in a swampy condition.
.After the rains the smell from the tank nearest the lines was at times offensive.
The old hospital is being pulled down and a new one is being built close by. The
s i t u a -
tion is very good, being on the most rising ground in cantonment limits, but is rather too far
from the lines. The new hospital and outhouses will be roomy, and the accommodation suffi
-
cient. The sick are at present in tents.
The average rainfall during the last year was 30 inches and 90 cents. The average tem
-
perature in the hospital verandah was at 6 A.M. 68.57, at noon 75.66, and at sunset 82.51.
A hot wind blows throughout the day during the months of April, May, and the early part of
June. Throughout the hot season the nights were cool.
The water-supply is derived from six wells in or near the lines : one about 40 yards to
the north of the lines being reserved for the Purwarees, and another to the south of the lines
for the Mochees. The quality is good and the supply is abundant.
The prevailing disease has been fever. The number of admissions having been 153. The
total admissions have been 288. Cholera was prevalent in the city and surrounding villages
during the hot season and the rains. Two cases occurred in the wing:one of these was a sepoy
who had only just returned from furlough and had not been admitted into the lines; the
other case was the wife of a sepoy. The greater number of the fever cases were, I think, due
to the leaking state of the houses in the lines.
The lines have been recommended to be put in thorough repair, but little has been done
on account of the hutting money not yet having been received.
I am not possession of any meteorological reports for former years.
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