SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Feet.
Inches.
Sepoy's house.
Length . . .
. . .
10
6
Breadth . . .
. . .
8
3
Height of inner-wall . . .
. . .
13
0
H e i g h t o f o u t e r - w a l l . . .
. . .
8
6
Area . . .
Square.
87
0
Cubic space . . .
Cubic.
1,130
0
Verandah of Sepoy's house.
Length . . .
. . .
8
9
Breadth . . .
. . .
5
0
Height of outer-wall . . .
. . .
5
0
Height of inner-wall . . .
. . .
7
8
A r e a . . .
Square.
44
0
Cubic space . . .
Cubic.
337
0
Strength of the regiment excluding European officers . . .
472
European officers . . .
5
472
• M a r r i e d m e n 3 7 0 , c h i l d r e n 3 3 2 . . .
702
Unmarried men 102 . . .
102
2 3
The duties of the regiment have been very light notwithstanding its reduced strength;
through having detachments at Sadra, Burda Chowky, and Dwarka. Each private soldier has
had 4 nights in bed in the week, the naiques have had 3¾ nights, the drummers 4¾, and the
havildars 3½ nights a week. The parades are easy and not of a lengthy duration. I have
found that during active work, drill-musketry, &c., the men are in better health and
spirits than when they are idle and inactive, and I am of opinion, that a little more route
-
marching or employment on public works, such as road-making, improving the camp, building
butts and entrenchments, would be highly conducive to good health. At present the sepoy
has not sufficient work of the proper description to keep him in the active and healthy state
so necessary to a soldier.
The clothing of the native army is faulty. It should combine sufficient protection from
beat and cold, with perfect freedom of movement for the body in
every position; it should also be durable and solder-like in appearance.
At present it embraces none of these advantages. It now consists of a tight fitting, close,
scarlet tunic, buttoned at the throat, and tightly round the waist; it is insufficient during the
cold weather, and too warm during the hot season; yet, it is worn during both winter and
summer. The tightness cramps the marching powers of the men most materially, and is,
undoubtedly, a cause of some of the chest affections which carry off a considerable numbe
r
of the men in the Bombay command every year. The dark-coloured cloth, tight-fitting
trousers, are very unsuitable to a sepoy, whose native robes are so free and airy. The Turkish
trousers and gaiters—very similar to the French Zouave pants—are much more suitable; and
with a loose red serge patrol jacket, or a Norfolk jacket, would be much more suitable. The
kakhee or white drill could be substituted in the hot weather of the same pattern.
The dark blue cap without rim or peak is not a sufficient protection from the sun
during the hot months; a turban or padded roll should be worn
round the cap to protect the temples from the sun. But if prejudice
could be overcome, the helmet issued to European troops (or a modified one like a forage
cap with turban) would be the most suitable. The boots are too
frequently badly fitted, and are scarcely ever greased or softened;
they are also heavy, and often gall the men's feet severely, producing sores which are trivial
in appearance but very difficult to heal, requiring rest and a treatment of frequently several
weeks' duration. It would be well to have a boot-greasing parade in the lines once a week,
for both cleanliness and comfort. The men never wear socks or stockings, consequently, the
boots become very hard and gritty from perspiration and dust which adhere to the feet, and,
as they exist at present, I feel sure that many men would be placed completely hors-de-combat
by an ordinary march of three days in succession.
92
Clothing.
Topee.
Boots.