32
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
24. This contrasts favourably with the out of hospital deaths of the previous year; the
percentage to strength being as follows:—
Table XI V.
11th Regiment N. I. . . .
1871.
1872.
2.25
0.63
19th " . . .
1.23
0.31
21st " . . .
4.17
1.22
26th " not known
0.15
25. The medical history of the detachment of the 11th Regiment N. I., shows that
during the year, it was more unhealthy than in the previous one; and that in the rains of
1872, in the month of July, the huts, in which the men and families resided, had become so
utterly unfit to live in, that it was found necessary to remove the men to the pendals, on the
Esplanade, where they are still located. This was done on the recommendation of the Medi
-
cal Officer in charge, Surgeon Seward, M.D., who, in consequence of a case of cholera occur
-
ring in a child, visited the lines and reported on them. Subsequent to the removal I visited
the lines with Dr. Seward. Deserted—they appeared probably worse than they were really ;
but they were in a most undoubtedly insanitary condition, and the removal of the men was a
wise and timely precautionary measure.
The municipal arrangements which have been, and are, the subject of annoyance, dis
-
comfort, and injury to the health of all within their influence, it appears useless to again enter
into a description of. They are denounced by all medical authorities, and will in time, doubt
-
less, be removed; at present they are non tangenda "non movenda."
26.
The annual report of the Medical Officer in charge of the wing of the 15th Regiment
N . I . , s t a t i o n e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r a t T a n n a , s h o w s t h a t m u c h s i c k n e s s p r e v a i l e d ; 6 4 6 c a s e s , o u t
of a strength of 295, being admitted into hospital; 200 of these cases were from dengue, and
317 from fever, being more from the latter disease than in either of the previous two years,
when the wing was quartered at Augur.
The medical histories of the year will doubtless show how curiously and with what eccen
-
tricity of movement the disease called dengue originated and travelled; fixing itself amongst
certain sets of people, or at certain places. The wing of the 15th Regiment is a peculiar instance.
Dengue appeared in this wing in August, spread rapidly amongst the men and families, and
disappeared completely on the 17th September. Its origin in the wing could in no way be
accounted for. The disease, a considerable time before, had run through the town of Bhondi,
more than 14 miles distant, with a large tidal creek intervening, and it had also formed an
unsettled lodgement in Bombay; it had, however, ceased in both these places, and had not
extended beyond them. Though every man was attacked, the disease confined itself to this
wing. The prisoners and officials of the jail, of which the native soldiers formed the guard,
the police corps, whose lines adjoin those of the wing, the townspeople, with whom communi
-
cation could not be avoided, all were unaffected and remained so.
The Civil Surgeon and one or two Europeans were the only other sufferers. Surgeon
Atkin's remarks on the disease will repay perusal. Table X. will show that in this medical
charge improvement has not taken place. I continue to consider the lines as ancillary to the
malaria of the place, and to such other causes as tend to render the men susceptible to the
reception of disease, e.g., poverty of diet, &c. There are certain recommendations in this annual
report which have been frequently made—some of which, I think, should not be passed over
—
1st, rebuilding pendals for 1st Class Establishment; 2nd, ditto for 2nd Class Hospital Esta
-
blishment; 3rd, re-arrangement of latrines; 4th, the closing of a stinking cesspool in the lines,
upon which subject I addressed the Commanding Officer, without, as far as I am aware, any
action being taken.
27. The annual report of the Medical Officer of the 19th Regiment N. I., points out
that the health of the regiment has improved during the past year, though signs of scurvy had
shown themselves; indeed, 33 cases had been under treatment, 11 of whom Surgeon Wakefield
considered it advisable to send away on sick certificate. The men are periodically inspected.
Fever gave less cases by 53, than in the previous year. Small-pox showed itself in the
lines, and retained its hold for several months.
The detachment of this regiment generally sustains fever on the termination of the mon
-
soon. At my inspection of the detachment, recently at Mooria, I found that temporary lines
had been built for them—the men were enjoying good health. The Hospital Assistant has
been at Jinjeera (Mooria), for nearly two years, and has not had fever. At my inspection of
the lines of the regiment I found all clean and in excellent order. There is nothing to add
to the statements made in my last report. I do not consider that these lines should continue
to be occupied longer than can be avoided. They are themselves and their surroundings in
every way objectionable; in housing of native soldiers, they stand on a par with the huts of the
wing at Tanna, and the detachment of the regiment in Bombay.