POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
81
Cholera in an epidemic form was prevalent in the Poona districts so early as March, but
did not reach the city until June. Notwithstanding strict vigilance
Cholera,
was exercised by the civil and military authorities, and measures taken
to prevent its entrance into camp, a few cases occurred in the lines of the 1st Grenadiers
and 8th Regiment, in the months of August and July respectively. There were 4 admissions
and 3 deaths. In May the disease broke out in the town of Seroor, and proved fatal to many
of its inhabitants. Several cases also took place in the lines of the Poona Horse adjoining the
town, but only 3 enlisted men were attacked and recovered. One sowar of the same
corps was attacked at Dhulia, with the same result. Altogether 8 cases are recorded with
only 2 deaths—a result, considering how wide-spread and fatal the disease has been during the
past year, which is very satisfactory.
Small-pox was pretty general throughout the Poona and Belgaum districts, between the
months of February and May. In our military hospitals 44 cases
Small-pox.
were treated. Of these, 2 cases proved fatal, and in men who it is re-
ported had been vaccinated. On the first appearance of epidemic small-pox, grass huts were
ordered and erected by the Quarter Master General's Department, and in which all cases were
treated. The plan is found to answer admirably ; when no longer needed they are by order
destroyed. The space in some of the hospital compounds has been found too limited to ad--
mit of a hut being erected, when suitable ground is taken up outside and to leeward of the
hospital and other buildings.
Vaccination has been steadily carried on by medical officers in charge of military hospitals,
and in strict conformity with the regulations, The character of the
Vaccination.
lymph supplied has been generally reported good, and when other-
wise, the circumstance is immediately brought to notice, and steps taken to procure a fresh
supply. The returns for December showed but few children in the regimental lines unprotected,
and these were reported to be infants too young for vaccination.
The hospital buildings for the reception of the sick of native troops, are in the main
well adapted for the purpose. They are as a rule lofty and well ven-
Hospital Buildings. tilated, and afford sufficient accommodation for the daily average num-
ber of sick occupying them. Occasionally, on the outbreak of any unusual sickness, incon--
venience is experienced for want of spare, when tents are required to supplement the hospital
accommodation.
16. But few alterations or additions have been made to the hospital buildings during
the year.
17. The regimental hospital at Ahmadnagar, which had frequently been reported on as
dark and ill-ventilated, is now undergoing the necessary alteration and enlargement. This,
together with the pavement floor laid down in the hospital of the 12th Regiment at Belgaum,
are the only improvements carried out.
18. No steps have yet been taken to supply better hospital accommodation at Sátára.
The sick of the 11th Regiment are still treated in the bungalow which was rented as a tempo--
rary measure in 1870, on the occasion of the former one being washed down.
19. In consequence of the regiment having been withdrawn from Dhulia, its large and
handsome hospital will no longer be required. It has, therefore, been suggested, that it might,
with a considerable saving to the State, be used as a civil hospital, the present one being but
ill-adapted to meet the wants of a large civil population.
20. I am again constrained to bring prominently to notice, the great want which still exists
at some regimental hospitals of proper quarters for hospital assistants
Subsidiary Buildings.
and medical pupils, wards for contagious diseases, deadhouses, pendals
for dooly bearers, and latrines for women belonging to the hospital establishment.
The hospital of the 8th Regiment, though a building of comparatively recent construction,
has no separate ward, deadhouse, or latrine for the women.
21. Having now inspected all the regimental lines in the division, I am able to state that,
with few exceptions, they are well built, and in a sanitary point of
Regimental lines.
view are satisfactory.
At Poona the 8th Regiment N.I. at present occupy old lines. These have been condemned
and preparations are now going on towards the construction of new ones, to be erected on a
site selected to the eastern side of the cantonment.
The ground on which they are to be built is in itself unobjectionable, but, I consider, it is
too far from the hospital.
22. New and substantial lines for the syces belonging to the Poona Horse at Seroor
have just been completed, and from which it is expected they will derive great benefit.
21S