NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
129
H. M.'s 3RD REGIMENT N.L.C.
NEEMUCH.—In Medical Charge of Surgeon F. H. SMITH ; Strength 309.
1. Health.— The general health of the men during the year 1872 has been very satisfac
- t o r y , e x c e p t t h e l a t t e r p o r t i o n o f t h e y e a r , d u r i n g w h i c h p e r i o d f e v e r o f a n i n t e r m i t t e n t t y p e
was unusually prevalent, not only among the men of the cavalry, but such was the case with
the inhabitants of the vicinity and the men of the different corps stationed at Neemuch.
The following table shows the difference of sickness and mortality between the year 1871
and 1872 :—
1871.
1872.
Average strength . . .
2 7 1
309
Admissions
.
.
.
327
387
Discharges
.
.
.
331
381
Deaths in hospital . . .
2
1
Average daily number of sick . . .
12.7
13.8
Percentage of treated to strength . . .
127.7
129.4
" d e a t h s t o s t r e n g t h . . .
0.7
0.3
" deaths to treated . . .
0.6
0.2
2. Admissions and Discharges.— There were 13 cases remaining on the sick list at the
end of the year 1871: 387 admitted during the year 1872, which makes total treated 400, out
of which 381 discharged, 1 died, and 18 remaining under treatment at the close of the year
1872.
3. Otherwise Discharged.— The discharged number 381, mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, contains 22 marked as discharged or otherwise : 8 of these were sent on sick certifi
- c a t e t o t h e i r n a t i v e c o u n t r y , a n d 9 d i s c h a r g e d f r o m s i c k l i s t , a s t h e y w e r e p e n s i o n e d a n d ,
consequently, struck off from the regimental strength. The nomenclature of diseases remaining
were changed from one to another while under treatment in hospital.
4. Prevailing Diseases .—Throughout the year fevers, rheumatism, ophthalmia, and
local injuries, have been the most prevalent : 207 cases of fever admitted during the year,
which contributes 66 admissions per cent, to average strength, or an increase of 9 per cent,
when compared with the year 1871. The admissions from fever and the average strength at
head-quarters have been as follows :—
J a n u a r y 1 8 7 2 .
F e b r u a r y "
M a r c h "
A p r i l "
M a y "
J u n e "
J u l y "
A u 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 .
Strength . . . 320
283
273
276
276
313
317
317
320
328
339
352 3 , 7 1 4
Fever . . .
6
6
4
5
8
12
8
14
16
55
43
30
207
The usual treatment of quinine, arsenic, and bark was adopted for the cure of these cases ;
the former was generally used by the mouth, and also tried by subcutaneous injection with the
hypodermic syringe successfully.
5. Rheumatism .—Thirteen cases admitted from. this complaint : all treated with colchi
- c u m a n d i o d i d e o f p o t a s s a , w i t h o p i a t e s a t n i g h t t o r e l i e v e p a i n ; i n a d d i t i o n t o w h i c h e v e r y
sick patient had issued to them some warm clothing from the hospital stores.
6. Syphilis.— The total number of cases treated from this disease during the last year
have been 7, there being a decrease in the number of admissions by 10 compared with the
report of the year 1871 ; but no mercury was administered internally in any of these cases.
7. Ophthalmia.—Eleven cases admitted, 10 discharged to duty, and one still remaining
under treatment.
8. A case of deafness has been recommended for pension, and a case of polypus nasi is
improving gradually, and there is every hope of his recovery, he being activly treated.
33 s