130
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
9. Lung Diseases.— The case of pneumonia was the only one in a critical state ; how-
ever it yielded to treatment adopted.
10. Bowel Complaints.—Seven cases of dysentery, and five of diarrhœa admitted : all of
these were of a trifling character, and readily yielded to the usual treatment.
11.
Urinary Diseases.— Seven cases of gonorrhœa, and one of phymosis came under treat-
ment : all cured and discharged to duty.
12.
Skin Diseases.—Thirty-one cases admitted under this heading, but none of them
demanded particular notice, but readily yielded to treatment, and were cured and discharged
to duty.
13.
General and Local Injuries.— Fifty-five cases admitted during the year—all acci-
dental—from kicks, falls, and bites from horses. One of the native officers was admitted on
the 6th of October 1872, with partial dislocation of the right shoulder joint, caused by his
horse falling with him while he was on duty ; the case is doing well and now almost cured.
14.
Mortality.— One fatal case occurred in hospital during the year, in the month of
September, from remittent fever complicated with derangement of the brain. Besides this
two men died—one from heat-apoplexy (in June) at Mulharghur about 16 miles from this,
where he was on outpost duty, and the other from general dropsy, while on sick leave. The
latter case was in a critical state of health, very much emaciated, and was recommended for
pension by the annual General Invaliding Committee.
15.
Vaccination.—The vaccination was properly carried out throughout the past year,
and the lymph employed has been of good quality.
16.
Food.—Satisfactory. The men purchase their own food and vegetables ; the supply
of the latter is abundant during the cold season, but very deficient in the hot weather. Milk
is cheaper at this station than at others, and can be procured at any time ; consequently, the
men generally take the advantage of procuring the same. The favourite food of the Mussalman
is mutton which they consume more than other castes in the regiment.
17.
Invaliding. —Eighteen men were proposed and sent before the General Invaliding
Committee, by which ten men were recommended for pension, and the rest pronounced fit for
further service.
18.
Hospital accommodation.— No. 5 Barrack of the old European infantry lines is still
in use as a hospital, where there is a want of an isolated ward for contagious diseases, as well
as a deadhouse ; otherwise it is satisfactory in every other way as stated in last year's report.
19. Latrines.—The latrines are good and strongly built, but still require some alteration
in order to carry off the waste water which natives invariably use for ablution. Acid carbolic
in solution is used for deodorizing purposes, the efficiency of which is proved. I frequently
inspect the latrines myself to ensure the cleanliness of the same.
20.
Cavalry Lines. —There has been no alteration during the past year.
21.
Water-supply, &c.—Entirely
from wells, quality good, and is drawn and supplied
partly by bheesties and men of the regiment themselves ; but the supply was not abundant
about the commencement of the monsoons, and had to search for it from different wells in
cantonment.
22.
Two European officers of the cavalry have been sent to England for change of climate
during the past year, and I am about to proceed on furlough to England, my health being
very indifferent, having been four years in charge of the 3rd Cavalry, half of this period I
have passed in Neemuch and Rajpootana, a very trying climate.
22. The Deputy Inspector General of Hospitals N.D.A. inspected the cavalry hospital on
the 28th December 1872.
H. M. 'S 22ND REGIMENT N.I.
NEEMUCH.—In Medical Charge of Surgeon G. ASHER, M.D. ; Strength 638.
The regiment arrived in Neemuch in January 1871; so that this is the second year of its
being quartered here.
The sickness among the men, great in 1871, has been still greater in 1872, the ratio of
admissions to hospital being in the two years, respectively, 168 and 182 per cent. ; but this
amount of ill health is nothing new in the station. I find that the native infantry regiment
(the 28th) relieved by the 22nd had, while quartered in the same lines in Neemuch, a percent-
age of sick of 174 in the year 1869, and of 171 in 1870. In glancing over returns of previous
years, I observe that similar circumstances obtained.