72
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OP THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Of rheumatism the cases have been but mild, but few of them being attended with any
complications, though nearly all of them have had a scorbutic origin, and have slowly yielded
to treatment. There have been no decided cases of ophthalmia during the entire year,
though there have been several cases of inflammation of the conjunctiva; but all of them have
been but slight and have lasted but a short time. The inflammation rapidly subsided after the
application of a small blister on the temple, and seldom spreading to the second eye.
Cases of diarrhœa and dysentery have been but few, and very slight, none of the cases
of diarrhœa having the slightest tendency to any choleraic symptoms.
The mortality among the sepoys of this Regiment has been during the past year less than
half that of the preceding one, being 5 as compared with 11 fatal cases in 1869. These all
occurred in the first half of the year, and were as follows :—
In February . . . 1 from intermittent fever.
" M a r c h . . . 1 " p l e u r i s y .
" A p r i l . . . 2 " r e mi t t e n t f e v e r .
" J u n e . . . 1 " c a n c e r .
The case of pleurisy was caused by a wound of the pleura by a pointed stick. The man in
entering his house fell forward (or was pushed) against the bamboos on the roof, one of which
was pointed, and entered his chest just above the sternum wounding both pleuræ. The effu
-sion was very rapid, and the man sank in spite of all remedies. Though the mortality
among their wives and children has been considerable, the cause of this is, I think, the dear
-ness of provisions here, which precludes them from providing proper food for themselves and
families. There has been during the past year no epidemics, either of small-pox or cholera ;
one man, however, while absent on furlough was attacked with small-pox, which caused the loss
of sight of the right eye, for which he was brought before a special Invaliding Committee.
In addition to this man there have been 31 Native Officers and men invalided during the
past year ; this nearly entirely disposes of all the old men who were received from other Regi
-ments when this Regiment was first raised, and who have been a source of considerable trouble
from their constantly going sick for some years past.
Nusseerabad.—In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon A. H. MILLER, Strength 633.
The health of the men of this Regiment during the past year, though better than in 1869,
continued far below the average. Even of the apparent improvement, a considerable part
must be attributed to the fact that an unusually large number of men had been sent on sick
leave, in addition to those allowed to go on ordinary furlough.
The corps having been for five years quartered in Nusseerabad, a slight retrospect of its
medical history during that period may not be considered out of place.
After having been in Deesa for four years and a half, during which time it lost but two
men by death, the Regiment marched into Nusseerabad on the 12th of December 1865, in, as I
am informed, the best health and spirits.
This latter station although neither it nor the surrounding country is inviting in appear
-ance, would seem at first sight admirably placed as far as regards sanitation. It is situated on
a hog-backed ridge running nearly north and south with a gentle declivity on every side
except to the south-east where the sudder bazaar is. The drainage therefore is perfect, and
there is a remarkable absence of foul smells even in the bazaar. Strong westerly winds
blow during the hot weather, enabling bungalows to be kept delightfully cool. The nights
also during this season are generally cool, and sleeping out of doors is both pleasant and