119
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
36.
The pyrexia ceased entirely by the end of the fourth day, but on the fifth there was
slight elevation of temperature coincident with the terminal rash.
37.
Treatment : diaphoreties, diuretics : belladonna ten minims every hour for the first
four hours ; this did not alleviate the pain, but seemed to lessen the irritability and sooth the rest-
lessness. Chlorate, carbonate and nitrate of potass, and iodide of potassium where freely
given.
38.
By the beginning of September dengue had nearly disappeared—only four cases were
admitted into hospital : fourteen sowars were treated for rheumatism.
39.
October was the most malarious month throughout the year. Total admissions were
136, showing an excess of 123 when contrasted with those of 1871. The fever was of remit-
tent form, and characterized by great debility, and was not very amenable to treatment. Two
grains of quinine, every two hours, with a little blue pill and rhubarb every alternate day, and
liquor arsenicalis, were administered ; and in very severe cases half an ounce of arrack was
given every three hours.
40.
In November 43 admissions were registered against 136 of the previous month,
and an increase of 29 when compared with November 1871.
41.
A sowar was admitted in a comatose condition with very severe remittent fever ;
temperature in axilla 104˚.2—pulse weak, 130˚. His head was immediately shaved, and a
mustard poultice applied for one hour ; a turpentine enema was given, and in a short time he
was aroused, and for six hours he could talk to his comrades. Next day, however, a relapse
occurred, when a blister was applied all over head and nape of neck. Quinine was freely
given, and injected hypodermically. After an illness of two days and six hours he died.
42.
Lieutenant W. H. D. Jones, who was placed in the sick list on 9th September with
dracunculi over the instep and ankle-joint of right foot, was discharged cured on 24th
November.
43.
The following trick, which was played on Lieutenant Jones, I shall relate, in order
that others may be on their guard in similar cases.
44.
Being anxious to get rid of the guinea-worms at once, and hearing that an itinerent
native hakeem, famous for extracting dracunculi, had arrived in camp, Lieutenant Jones desired
him to see the foot. On examining the parts the hakeem said he could easily extract the
worms. I permitted the native to cut down upon a whip-cord like swelling, which could be
traced from the point where the worm had made its appearance, three inches backwards to
the spot where it disappeared in the deep structures. Having extracted a loop of a worm, he
severed it from the parts with a knife, and applied a horn to the wound. He sucked the horn
with great force, and in the course of ten minutes removed it from the parts, when a large
coagulum of blood was seen, in the midst of which a convoluted guinea-worm was discovered.
The tail was apparent and the parasite was fresh and well preserved.
45. He repeated the application of the horn on the dorsum of the foot, and, in the clot, a
second worm was seen
.
46.
The hakeem applied native medicines, and on the second day suddenly disappeared,
not, however, until he had obtained a handsome fee. The suction over the parts did not pain
Lieutenant Jones much, but slight inflammation was set up.
47.
On the fourth day the parasites made their appearance in the foot as usual.
The worms were evolved by me in two months. Considerable stiffness resulted, but by
gentle flexion and extension of the foot on the leg, the patient was able to walk as well
as ever.
48.
In December there was great decrease of malarial disease—only 14 admissions.
49.
The average strength of the regiment at head-quarters was 301. The admissions
into hospital amounted to 634, and the deaths to 4, being in the ratio of 2,106.3 and 13.28 per
one thousand of mean strength. The admissions were rather more than three times those of
1871. The mortality nearly equal. The following table shows the admissions and deaths in a
classified form :—