108
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
H. M.'s 20TH REGIMENT N.I.
BHUJ.—In Medical Charge of Assistant Surgeon H. DE TATHAM ; Strength 630.
Europeans . . .
7
Natives
.
.
.
6 3 0
In my medical history of the regiment for last year, I gave so full a description of the
cantonment of Bhuj and its environs, that to again describe the same would be superfluous.
The general aspect of the camp remains the same, but certain improvements have been made,
a number of additional young trees have been planted along the sides of the principal roads,
culverts have been built, and the roads themselves remetalled, and put into such good order
that, in that respect, the camp would now compare favourably with most up-country stations.
A few words as to the climate of Bhuj during the past year. The north wind, which
prevailed at the beginning of the year, continued to blow until the
end of January, when it veered round to the south-west, from which
quarter the prevailing wind came for the succeeding seven or eight months up to the middle of
Se pt e mbe r ; but t owa r ds t he e nd of t ha t mont h, t he nor t h a nd nor t h- e a s t wi nds be ga n t o ma ke
themselves felt, and prevailed up to the end of the year.
During the month of April and the first week in May, south-west breeze was not so strong
as is usual at that time of the year, and great heat was experienced in camp ; again in the month
of June, from the same cause, the heat was very trying up to the 20th of that month when.
the first rain fell, but from that date up to the end of the month the rainfall was nearly 5
inches and the air was cool and pleasant : the climate during the month of July, too, was most
favourable, rain fell almost every day, although not always in sufficient quantity to be register-
ed. The total rainfall during the month was about 9 inches, and a south-west breeze blew
through camp night and day almost without intermission ; on the 15th September, a violent
thunderstorm passed over camp, it appeared to come from the north.
The following table shows the maximum and minimum temperature, the prevailing
winds, and rainfall at Bhuj during the year :—
1872.
Temperature.
Prevailing Winds.
Rainfall.
Max.
Min.
Inches.
Cents.
January . . .7501298275012982
77
60
N.
. . .
. . .
February . . .
75
59
S.W.
. . .
. . .
March . . .
92
70
W.
. . .
. . .
April . . .
97
76
S.W.
. . .
. . .
May . . .
96
78
S.W.
. . .
. . .
June . . .
94
81
S.W.
4
79
July . . .
86
78
S.W.
8
75
August . . .
84
77
S.W.
2
8
September . . .
87
77
S.W.&N.
1
44
October . . .
89
76
N.E.
. . .
. . .
November . . .
88
67
N.E.
. . .
. . .
December . . .
78
56
N.E.
. . .
. . .
Total . . .
17
6
The system of conservancy, described by me on two former occasions, has been most
efficiently maintained throughout the year, and appears well suited to
the locality; the introduction of the Trench system of latrines at Bhuj
has been mooted ; but, owing to certain local and political difficulties,
has not yet been carried out.
The sudder bazar is still unprovided with any latrine.
The camp generally has been kept very clean during the year ; there are no immediate
local causes of malaria, the hedges of the officers' compounds are kept trimmed to the
regulation height, and the camp was efficiently cleared of all redundant vegetation directly
after the rains had ceased.
Climate.
Conservancy and general
sanitary condition in camp.
Water-Supply.
Under this head I have nothing to add to the remarks in my last
report, the supply has been both plentiful and good throughout the year