170
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
From the station being so densely wooded and so intersected by canals (which, after the
inundations have subsided, are full of stagnant water, swarming with fish that are left to de-
compose in the channels as the water evaporates and percolates through the soil; the stench
arising from this cause, towards the end of November and in the beginning of December, is
something horrid), it becomes enveloped in a damp stagnant atmosphere during the absence
of the north-east wind. The effects of this atmosphere on the constitution of the men is
most pernicious; almost all the men who have been admitted into the hospital during the
six weeks that I have been in medical charge of the regiment, suffered from anœmia and
innervation.
The total admissions into hospital during the year amounted to 770.
450 of these were for ague and remittent fever.
1 8
, ,
, ,
debility and enlargement of the spleen.
1 1 5
, ,
, ,
boils and ulcers.
8 0
, ,
, ,
contusions.
17
, ,
, ,
diarrhœa.
9
, ,
, ,
dysentery.
11
,,
,,
pneumonia.
2
, ,
, ,
bronchitis.
7
, ,
, ,
syphilis (primary and secondary).
9
, ,
, ,
gonorrhœa.
3
, ,
, ,
renal diseases.
59
,,
,,
skin and other diseases.
The strength of the regiment being 494 natives and 6 Europeans; the proportion of
admissions into hospital to strength per cent. was 227.1.
The average daily sick being 27.3.
The proportion of daily sick to strength was 3.3.
The deaths which occurred being 10.
The proportion of deaths to strength was 2.9.
From the above table, it would seem that the labour of about six men has been lost to
the regiment during the year; whilst the health of the whole regiment has suffered very
much.
The greatest amount of admissions have been for ague. The cases which have come
under my observation, have been extremely mild. Few have been ushered in by rigors, which
are a marked symptom of the typical forms of this disease. The most of the cases have been
ushered in merely by slight elevation of temperature. Quinine appeared to me to have little
or no influence in controlling or preventing it. Preparations of iron seemed to have a greater
effect. The number of men having enlargement of the spleen seemed to be enormous.
They present themselves only when suffering from fever or when that enlarged organ
deranges the functions of other organs by pressure or otherwise. One case of
ascitis was admitted into the hospital, evidently due to the pressure of an enormous spleen
on the blood-vessels of the abdomen; another case which proved fatal, evidently resulted from
the same cause. The left ventricle of the heart was hypertropied and dilated, with patency
of the mitral valve, subsequently followed by œdema of the lower limbs (probably caused by
that law of compensation which prevails extensively in the animal economy). The application
of biniodide of mercury ointment over the enlarged organ appears to have some effect in
reducing its size.
It is a remedy greatly extolled by Dr. Maclean. Its modus operandi seems, as far as
I could make out, to be that of a counter irritant.
The admissions for boils and ulcers have been slightly decreased. The latter is usually a
sequence of the former. The boils have presented a languid character, and might be justly
but indirectly attributed to the influence of climate.
Contrary to what might have been expected, the admissions for diarrhœa and dysentery
have been comparatively few and generally presented a mild form, easily amenable to trea
tment.
The admissions for the diseases of respiratory organs have likewise been few, but they
have been rather severe cases, both lungs being implicated; all have made a good recovery
except one which proved fatal in the early part of the year.
The admissions for venereal affections have slightly decreased in number, but it is
extremely difficult to say how much it prevails amongst the men, as they seem to be very
reluctant to present themselves at the hospital; no doubt, partly through shame and partly
from viewing it as a slight affection, which they themselves might cure by medicines which
they can obtain in the bazars. The amount of the admissions, therefore, cannot be taken as a