10
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
rains especially. So as there were no available houses, and tents could not be pitched, the
ground being so damp that it would have been prejudicial to the health of the sick, under
these circumstances they were accommodated in all the available spaces that could be made
use of, and although there was much overcrowding for some time, yet no bad result came
from it.
The admissions from rheumatism and syphilis require no remarks.
There have been three admissions from scurvy—these generally come into hospital suffer
-ing from other complaints. No cases have proved fatal.
Epilepsy .—One case. He appears to have suffered from "petitmal" sometime without
coming into hospital, and just after the invaliding committee had sat, it showed itself in a
more decided form. Bromide of potassium was given with the effect of lengthening the inter
-vals between the attacks, but without eradicating the disease; he has since gone to head
quarters.
Mania.—He was admitted into hospital with dengue on the 31st August, suffering
from the usual symptomas. All fever had ceased on the 2nd; on the 6th the pains were
getting less, but he complained of weakness. During that day he became odd in his manner,
evidently suffering from delusions, talking to himself—skin moist and bathed with perspiration.
On the 7th he was much in the same state, having passed a very restless night. On the 8th,
he refused his food, and was with difficulty got to take medicine. On the 9th, he refused all
food and medicines, talking incoherently; he continued much in the same state till he was
sent to the Lunatic Asylum. He returned on the 28th December still odd in his manner.
It appears to me to be very doubtful, if he is fit to be entrusted with the arms usually en
-trusted to a sepoy.
Pulmonary Diseases. Bronchitis 3; pleurisy 1: total 4—deaths 1.
The cases of bronchitis were of a trivial nature and require no remarks.
The case of pleurisy is interesting: he came into hospital, soon after his arrival in Tanna,
with pleurisy, accompanied with no effusion. He was treated with salines, antiphlogistics,
leeches, and sank on the 5th day after admission; as his case was forwarded no remarks are
needed.
Dysentery 41; diarrhœa 10; colic 2; hæmorrhoids 2: total 55.
Sent on sick certificate 1. No deaths.
The table below shows the proportion of admissions and deaths from dysentery and
diarrhœa to strength per mille per mensem—
J a n u a r y .
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 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 .
Admissions . . . 11.11 18.58
9.74 11.15
7.35 21.69 54.94 21.02 11.97
5.63
3.44 . . .
Deaths . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . . . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
The admissions this year are 55 in number, in excess of last year by 15; they were most
prevalent in June, July and August; there were no deaths. One man, who I was afraid would
die, was sent away on sick certificate, and has since recovered.
The remarks that I made last year regarding their diet and treatment apply equally to
this year.
Guinea-worm .—Two admissions; both these cases were admitted immediately after they
arrived at the station, so that there is every probability that the affection was imported from
Mehidpore.
The remainder of the cases present nothing worthy of remark.
Vaccination— Has been regularly carried out during the year.
Three men have been sent away on sick certificate with no deaths.
The diet of the sepoy is subject to many variations according to his circumstances, family
concerns, probability of being invalided, or wish to be sent away on
sick certificate, so that diet tables become only an approximation to
the truth after all.
Diet.