NORTHERN AND MHOW DIVISIONS OF THE ARMY.
77
The maximum temperature observed in any one of these cases was 105.6; the average
temperature during the exacerbation (taken at 4 P.M.) being 103.7, and. during the remission
(taken at 6 A.M.) 100.8, showing a daily variation of nearly three degrees.
The temperature was taken in every case under the tongue, with Dr. Atkins' self-regis
-tering thermometers. In the remarks which accompany these instruments, the average tem
-perature of the body in the tropics is stated to be nearly one degree higher than it is in tem
-perate regions; but with the two I have in use, I have not found the temperature in health to
be above his normal standard, viz., 98.4.
Rheumatism .—The number of cases of this disease has not been so great as from the
unusually damp season might have been expected; they have been mostly cases of simple
muscular rheumatism.
The ratio of admissions from enthetic diseases is very small, the return showing but three,
one only being a secondary affection. This is remarkable from the fact that the men have free
access to the native city; nine men have been invalided during the year. The average length
of service of eight of these men was nearly 22 years; the remaining one had served but 6
years and 9 months.
Ten men were sent on sick certificate for change of air; two to the Concan for periods of
11 and 6 months respectively, and the remainder for short periods to Augur.
The following case is interesting:— Jannoo Mallee, a sepoy, aged 30 years, a strong and
healthy man, was
b i t t e n i n t h e b a c k o f t h e h a n d b y a c o b r a a t t w o P . M . B e y o n d h a v i n g s o m e p a i n i n t h e b i t t e n p a r t a n d u p t h e f o r e a r m , h e d o e s n o t a p p e a r t o h a v e b e e n m u c h d i s t r e s s e d ,
and did not come to the hospital until half-past three. He was then perspiring freely, his pulse
was quick and small, and there was some oppression of the præcordia. Some liquor ammonia
was applied to the wound, and a draught containing 20 minims of liquor ammonia given him;
this was repeated in half an hour. At 5 he was retching constantly, and complained much of
a burning pain in the stomach. A large mustard sinapism was applied over the epigastrium,
and arrack and water substituted for the ammonia. Pulse 95, rather small; surface warm; res
-piration natural. He now commenced to complain of inability to swallow or to clear his throat
of a quantity of frothy mucus which constantly collected in the fauces; he could swallow no
-thing, and it was evident there was paralysis of the pharyngeal muscles. At 6 the retching and
vomiting had ceased; at 11 the pulse was 85, regular, and of good volume, and with the excep
-tion of the inability to swallow, he seemed pretty comfortable; towards morning the power of
swallowing gradually returned, and he had no other symptom. The hand and forearm remained
swollen and painful for some days; a small healthy abscess subsequently formed in the situation
of the bite.
The cobra was a young one of the black species, and about 3 feet 6 inches in length. A
recently killed rat was found in the corner of the hut in which the man was bitten, and upon
this probably the animal had, previous to attacking the man, exhausted much of his venom,
and hence the comparatively slight symptoms.
Hospital .—The hospital is a good building as far as it goes, but it affords insufficient
accommodation for the average number of sick during a great part of the year, being con
- s t r u c t e d f o r 2 2 b e d s o n l y . I t i s s i t u a t e d t o t h e n o r t h o f t h e l i n e s a n d a t a d i s t a n c e o f 6 0
yards from them, a broad roadway intervening. It is built of brick with tiled roof; the walls
are two feet in thickness and it is raised on a two-foot plinth. It consists of one general ward
63 feet long by 19½ wide and 15½ feet in height, having doors 4 feet wide on all four sides,
and on either side are two windows. An open eight-foot veranda surrounds it on three sides,
and at the western end is a room 18 feet by 11, which is used for dispensary, surgery, and
office. On either side of this the veranda is built in, forming two small rooms 18 feet by 8;
one of these is used as a store room, the other as an extra ward, but it is practically of little
u s e f o r t h i s p u r p o s e .
20 s