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SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
SANITARY REPORT BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER TN CHARGE.
Scorbutus existed only to a slight extent. I treated 2 cases of this disease, both of which
proved rather obstinate, but yielded eventually to treatment; in the one case the scorbutus
seemed the effect of frequent attacks of Sind fever and debility, but in the other case no such
cause existed; the patient, a Native Officer, had not been for several years absent from Seroor
or duty, and seemed besides a healthy man of sound constitution; in the latter instance the
patient assigned the attack of scorbutus to distress of mind, anxiety, worry and annoyance.
Amongst others I found a scorbutic taint to exist, which tended to complicate the simplest
ailments; this was generally observed amongst the men who had served in Upper Sind in 1868.
I recommended kokum as an article of diet with the greatest advantage, it was used almost
universally in the Regiment during hot and cold season when other fresh vegetables are scarce in
the bazaar. In Seroor in the hot and cold season succulent cruciferæ are always scarce, as well
as other vegetables, and even native vegetables are at times extremely scarce. I have there
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fore recommended a Regimental garden to be introduced which should render the Regiment,
independent of the contingencies of the season and the irregularities of the bazaar supply.
This recommendation could be easily carried out, as garden ground with abundant water-supply
can be found at hand. Guinea-worm cannot be said to be on the increase or endemic in Seroor,
although a greater number of admissions is shown during the present year. The same man
may be often admitted for the same disease, so that the number of admissions cannot show
with any exactness the prevalence of any disease. In such cases it would be more accurate to
add a name descriptive or illustrative as " readmission." Guinea-worm is seldom single, but is
generally multiple: as an instance of the number of these parasites which may infest the indivi
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dual, I mention that I have removed 7 guinea-worms from the same man during the past season.
In a village distant about 10 miles from Seroor guinea-worm is so prevalent, that it is said
about 60 per cent. of the inhabitants suffer from it. In this instance there is only one well in
the village which all must use, in other neighbouring villages too, guinea-worm is common, so
that the disease might readily be imported into Seroor. The water for the most part used here
is chiefly obtained from the river which at no season of the year is stagnant, and cannot be
impregnated with guinea-worm or their ova, and the older residents are seldom affected with
it.
G . M . ' s 1 6 t h R e g i m e n t N . I .
Ahmednuggur.—In Medical charge of Surgeon A. N. E. RIDDELL, Strength 711.
Fighting men—Europeans 5, natives 711. Native females 355, children 389, camp
followers 92—total 1,552.
There have been 560 admissions into the Regimental hospital, showing a decrease of
230 on the previous year, and of 263 on the average of the five previous years.
Eliminating the year 1868 which was exceptionably unhealthy, the decrease on the re
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maining 4 years is 124.
There have been 3 deaths from hepatitis, remittent fever, and ague, with splenitis and
abscess.
Sholapore.—In Medical charge of Surgeon C. G. H. Ross, Strength 663.
Her Majesty's 4th Rifles quartered at Sholapore during the last 4 years, relieved Her
Majesty's 26th Regiment N. I. at this station, and reached Baroda in two detachments, the
1st or Right Wing Head Quarters on October 18th, the 2nd or Left Wing on. 24th December
1870.