146
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The climate is noted for its general coolness and salubrity. The rainfall is somewhat
greater than in other stations of Central India. This is probably due to the proximity of the
Vendayha range of mountains, and the abundance of trees in the vicinity.
The geological formation of the district consists of trap composed of clinkstones, granular
and columnar trap—quartz and felspar have also been found. The soil consists chiefly of rich
black alluvial cotton soil : soft, friable red soil and clayey soil also exist.
The country is well wooded and vegetation is luxuriant, particularly after the rains.
Vegetables are abundant at all seasons, especially in the cold when cauliflowers, celery, salad,
&c., are plentiful. The principal productions are opium, cotton, sugar, grain, and dyes.
Fever is due to the luxuriant veg vegetation. Lung affections the result of the changes in tem
-perature. Syphilis is accounted for by the demoralized condition of the native city. Rheuma-
- t i c a f f e c t i o n s a r e d u e t o t h e c h a n g e s i n t e m p e r a t u r e . T h e r e w e r e s e v e r a l c a s e s o f c h o l e r a
amongst the natives of the bazar ; but no case occurred amongst the troops of the native
detachment. Dengue was rumoured to be very prevalent in the native city, but I have not
been able to confirm the report, although I several times visited the city for this purpose.
No case of dengue occurred within the cantonment limits.
The lines occupied by the natives troops are situated about two miles from the native
city. They consist of five rows of huts well built, of unburnt bricks with tiled roofs. They are
capable of accommodating upwards of two hundred men. The houses for the native officers
are six in number, and are situated to the left(west) of the men's lines, and are built of burnt
bricks.
The latrines for the men and women are situated to the right(east) of the lines at a con-
- v e n i e n t d i s t a n c e . T h o s e f o r t h e m e n a c c o m m o d a t e n i n e t e e n p e r s o n s a n d t h o s e f o r t h e w o m e n
eight. The latrines for the native officers are situated to the west of their own houses, and at
a short distance from them.
The lines, although built on somewhat low ground, are well situated, and the drainage is
good.
The water-supply is obtained from two large wells in the immediate vicinity of the lines.
It is plentiful and of good quality.
The average strength of the native troops during the year was 233.
The number of admissions into hospital during the year was three hundred and fifty-two
of which the following were the principal causes for admission :—
Ague
.
.
.
176
Dysentery . . .
21
Diarrhœa . . .
12
Bronchitis . . .
12
There was one case of acute mania. The other cases were of a trivial nature, such as boil
shoe-bite. One case of fever intermittent was of a severe character. The patient subsequently
died in hospital at Mhow from the ensuing debility.
The hospital for the sick of the native detachment is a ward of the Malwa Charitable
Hospital and forms the east end of the main block of that building. It is capable of accom--
modating six patients. There is no dispensary or compounding-room—medicines, &c., have to
be compounded in the ward. The hospital medicines are also stored in it. A latrine for the
use of the sick is situated at a short distance from the ward. It has accommodation for four
persons.
A hospital, with the necessary out-offices, is being built for the sick of the native detach--
ment. It is situated at a short distance from the lines in a north-westerly direction. There
will be room for eight beds in it. The soil being very deep (forty feet) in the place selected
for the site of hospital, the foundations are laid upon piles.
A hut containing five rooms has been built in the compound of the Malwa Charitable
Hospital for the accommodation of the sick of that institution.
A new travellers' bungalow has been built on the high road between the Residency and
Agra.
Opposite the travellers' bungalow a hospital for Europeans and Eurasians has been built.
On the Agra road a bungalow for any residents in the station has been built, and another
for the same purpose is in course of erection.