SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The left wing embarked at Aden on the 12th of December in the sailing ship Queen of
Australia, and reached Vingorla on the evening of the 13th of January of this year. During
the latter part of the voyage, the men suffered much from scurvy, and many not actually on
the sick list had to be given antiscorbutics daily ; of course the non-cooking suffered, but
they were not the only men, for the Punjaubees, who never before showed a trace of the disease,
were attacked, showing that men who have resided at Aden for any time, even though they
may not stint themselves in any way, have the seeds of the disease in them ready to burst
forth when a favourable time comes.
The right wing was forty-two days at sea in the sailing ship Calcutta, and the men
suffered much more than those of the left wing, as was shown by their thin and delicate
appearance, and the fact that the smallest abrasion of the skin from a boot was followed by
unhealthy ulcers. For part of the time on board, they were on a reduced allowance of water,
which of course was a great privation and not calculated to improve their health. The
Regiment was looking thin and weak before it left Aden, and unquestionably the want of
nourishing food for such a length of time at sea has done much towards making men
previously scorbutic, worse. The only thing now to be hoped for is, that comfortable quarters,
good air, and plenty of fresh vegetables will quickly set them up.
H . M . ' s 3 r d C o m p a n y S a p p e r s a n d M i n e r s .
In Medical charge of Surgeon W. JAMES, Strength 104.
I have great satisfaction in recording the healthy state of the Company throughout the
year. The daily average number of sick was only 3.3 per cent., whilst the treated to strength was
84 ; no deaths occurred. The prevailing diseases were ague and contusions ; the total number
admitted with the former was only one more than in 1869, and from contusion about one-half
less ; the falling off in the admissions from contusion is attributable to the men not being so
constantly employed in blasting operations. Scurvy was only met with in three cases ; this is a
disease that is yearly decreasing, the facilities for procuring vegetables being greater, and the
kinds procurable being more varied than they were a few years back. I gave over charge of
the Company to Assistant Surgeon Alleyne in the month of November.
Report by Surgeon Horace Day.
Having only been a few days in charge of No. 3 Company of the Sappers and Miners, I
have but little to add to the report of Surgeon James, Staff Surgeon. The men appear to be
pretty healthy considering the time they have been in Aden ; but although there is no pro-
nounced scurvy amongst them, many of them are in an anœmic condition, and no doubt they
will rapidly gain strength when removed to India, and the relief will shortly be made.
In Medical charge of Hospital Assistant SHAIK SHABOODEEN, Strength 88.
The admissions from the Aden Troop amounted to 263, being 18 cases more than those of
the preceding year ; no death has occurred. Vaccination has not been needed, no new recruit
having been enlisted in the troop during the last year.
During the last year 3 sowars were invalided, and 4 discharged by the Invaliding Com
- m i t t e e o n a c c o u n t o f b e i n g w o r n o u t .
Drinking Water.—Government supply two sorts of water to the men for their use ; one is
condensed, and the other is from the Shaik Oossman aqueduct, a place about 6 miles from
Khore Muksa, where the troop is at present stationed. The latter water is brackish in taste.
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