140
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
patient in the monthly report for December was shortly to proceed on leave to his native country.
Change of air, it was believed, would do more good than other measures in Baroda, or treatment
of any kind.
Contusion.—Forty-eight cases of contusion occurred.
Syphilis primary and secondary were fortunately rare ; there were but three cases on
the list.
Scurvy —Though but three cases of scurvy, as such were admitted, yet a scorbutic taint
is not uncommon among large number of the men. Few rheumatic cases are without signs of
scurvy, and it was present as already stated in most of the sepoys affected with dengue.
Conjunctivitis occurred in 29 instances.
Neuralgia was met with in 11. In all these cases including brow ague, I know of no
remedy of greater utility than the syrup of the phosphate of iron.
A case of some interest for me at the time may conclude these remarks.
One of the sepoys was brought to hospital in a comatose state on the 7th of March. He
appears to have suffered from fever for some days before admission, at which time 7 A.M., the
surface was cold ; there was no pulse in either radial, eyes congested. Cold affusion on head
and chest was tried, without effect, but by the assiduous use of stimulants, ammonia, arrack,
liquor epispasticus to nucha, turpentine enema, consciousness was restored about 8.30 A.M., and
the patient was able to answer questions. Toward noon fever set in, the pulse rose to 140, and
respiration was upwards of 40 in the minute. Crepitant rhonchus of both lungs and pungent
heat of thoraci surface indicated pneumonia, and the patient was in a critical and hopeless
state for some days. D u r i n g t h e f o l l o w i n g w e e k t h e s y m p t o m s w e r e t y p h o i d , t h e r e w a s m u c h
delirium, the bowels relaxed, the stools were passed unconsciously in bed, tongue dry, except at
tip, and edges were covered with a black fur. The treatment was stimulant, and arrack in large
quantities was exhibited—the blister which was raised over base of lungs was kept open. On
the 15th the tongue appeared to be slowly cleaning, and the patient over night enjoyed 2
hours' consecutive sleep, since then he has made progress and is now convalescent.
Vaccination is carefully attended to : there were 32 operations upon the children in the
lines, of these 29 were successful. There was no small-pox among the men ; but two cases were
under treatment : one in the infant daughter of a native officer, the other in a son of one of
the tent lascars ; both had been vaccinated.
Revaccination was performed in 16 cases but without any result.
Twenty-eight recruits joined during the year, 19 men were invalided, and 11 proceeded on
sick certificate to their own country.
Such are the salient points of interest in the medical history of the regiment during the
past year. Much sickness prevailed irrespective of the epidemic, for had there been no dengue,
the admissions into hospital are still largely in excess of those of the previous year, e.g. in 1871;
the admissions numbered 514 against 807 in 1872: the health of the regiment is thus seen to
be deteriorating. In such a climate as that of Baroda, the tour of duty should never exceed 2
years. It is hoped that the Rifles when relieved may be sent to a station of acknowledged
salubrity.
DETACHMENT H. M.'s 9TH REGIMENT N.I.
DWARKA.—In Medical Charge of 3rd Class Hospital Assistant C. JANNOO ; Strength 89.
The native detachment employed during the year in Okhamandel consisted of a detach-
ment of H. M.'s 9th Regiment N.L.I. The strength of the above detachment was as follows : 1
European officer, 2 native officers, 86 non-commissioned officers and rank and file. The
health of the detachment was very good.
Admissions into hospital for all classes of diseases amounted to 149. The principal
diseases have been ague 57, chronic rheumatism 22, secondary syphilis 1, and scurvy 3.
There is also stationed at Dwarka one irregular native police corps belonging to His
Highness the Guicowar of Baroda, amounting to 460, commanded by a European officer, also
a small body of 59 sowars.
A vaccinator has been employed here by His Highness the Guicowar, and he has been
carrying out his duties in a satisfactory manner. The epidemic of cholera has not broken
out either in Dwarka or the districts ; but that of small-pox broke out in the city and district
during the year, but was not of serious extent.
The water here is generally drawn from wells and tanks. Climate very pleasant, as
there is a fresh breeze generally : the rains are mild and the cold season delightful.
The usual sanitary arrangements are not carried out in the city of Dwarka and the prin-
cipal streets are very dirty in consequence : many drains are upon the surface.