SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Marching.—The head-quarters of the regiment were in camp during the year. Two
detachments comprising 147 rank and file proceeded to Khelat, the first of 61 men accom-
panied the Political Agent of Khelat in the month of April in medical charge of Assistant
Surgeon Bowman. The remaining number were sent in the month of June under the
c o m m a n d o f a E u r o p e a n o f f i c e r a n d i n m e d i c a l c h a r g e o f f i r s t c l a s s H o s p i t a l A s s i s t a n t F u c k e r a
Sing. The latter having had to march in the hottest time of the year suffered very much
from the effects of the sun. From reports received 26 of the men were attacked on the 3rd
days' march (32 miles through the desert) with symptoms of heat-apoplexy; 3 of the number
succumbed on the day of the attack, another man died a few days after from congestion of the
lungs, while at Khelat 2 of the same detachment died from dysentery, and one from pneumonia.
On perusing the remarks of Dr. Bowman it seems that all those who marched to Kelat in
June suffered from the effects of the dreadful journey. On the return of the party on the
31st October, the men of the 1st detachment were in excellent health, but the 2nd party
looked as if they had undergone great hardship. Several of them yet suffer from constant
headache and a few of the sequels of sunstroke: one of the number died a month ago suddenly
from congestive apoplexy of the brain.
Health of Regiment—Continues very unsatisfactory: no improvement can be expected
as long as attention to sanitary matters are neglected. Malaria is generated to a great extent, and
the flooding of the country, which has occurred for the last two years, tends materially to in-
crease the unhealthiness of the station. The floods this year, which came on the 22nd of
July, almost swamped the whole of Jacobabad. The Rifle lines were surrounded by water,
the married quarters being quite swamped. All this expanse of water drying up gradually,
assisted with decaying vegetable matter, which is very profuse, must as a matter of necessity
act very detrimentally.
Prevailing Diseases—fever, skin-diseases, rheumatic and chest affections.—Fevers: 504
admissions from this cause, being more than half the total number, all malarious and chiefly
of the intermittent form: there were 12 cases of remittent fever, these latter were very severe
and caused 3 casualties: there was nothing special in the treatment. The numbers of admis-
sions do not show the amount of men attacked. Several daily take quinine as a prophylactic,
and many who suffer slightly from the complaint have medicines administered them and
attend their duties. The largest number admitted from this cause were in the months of
October and November.
Skin-Diseases comprising chiefly Ulcers and Boils.—There were 100 admissions from
this cause, the former being particularly obstinate in their nature and in many cases only
improving on change of climate.
Chest Affection.—These cause a very large mortality, they chiefly occur in the cold season.
Out of 44 admissions there were 10 deaths, 3 being due to phthisis, and the others to pneumo-
nia. The deaths chiefly occurred in men of broken-down constitutions, with enormous spleens.
Stimulants internally, with quinine if the influence of malaria was suspected, and warmth
externally, seemed to do the most good.
Rheumatic Affection.—Twenty-seven cases most of them being chronic and suspected to
be due to syphilus.
Digestive system—Under the heading of affections of the digestive system there were
3 deaths; one from hœmatemesis, due to cirrhosis of liver, the man died suddenly, vomiting
about 3 pints of blood, and 2 deaths from chronic dysentery.
Hospital Accommodation.—The hospital, though of decent size, is not large enough for
the number of men admitted in the cold weather; several of them remain in rowties pitched
in the hospital compound; a fireplace is a great desideratum and this I am in hopes will soon
be supplied.
Vaccination.—This is regularly practised: there were 13 cases successfully vaccinated
since last inspection.
Latrines (on D ry-earth system) both regimental and hospital are well looked after.
Invalids.—Nine men only invalided during the year, this is comparatively a small num-
ber, but as several of the men were of 14 years' service who were fit to appear before the board,
they were allowed to serve another year, so that they may be able to get pensions.
Recruits.—Fifty-two admitted during the year.
Rai Nfal l . —N i n e
inches, a very unusual occurrence, there were only 75 cents, for the pre-
ceding year.
Thermometer.— In the shade average, maximum 112°, minimum 36.°1
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