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SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
mornings, frequently brings on bad attacks of fever, pneumonia and rheumatism, and must
always have the effect of making Jacobabad a most unhealthy station, and one which no
sanitary precaution could improve.
The trees in the station, which are such a boon in the hot weather, would die were the
Indus water cut off.
The roads, owing to the sandy and dusty state of the soil, are obliged to be covered with
a coarse sort of grass, which probably produces malaria as it decays.
The quarters of the men, as far as you can see, are clean, but most likely more confined
than necessary, and wanting thorough ventilation.
The ordinary diet of the men is as follows: Flour, rice, dhall, vegetable, meat, milk, curd,
and ghee; and here I may remark that on several occasions lately, men came under my
observation who were very insufficiently nourished and wanting in strength and muscular
vigour, in fact in a weak state from want of sufficient or proper food.
They complain that, their pay being so small, they were unable to procure enough food
for themselves and their families.
Free trade being allowed in Jacobabad, the banias charge the men whatever they like;
this is a subject which ought to be inquired into, as most likely it seriously affects the health
of every married man in the Regiment, who is not owner of the horse he rides.
As to local diseases, pneumonia, or rather the type of the disease you find here, is most
likely uncommon. Its chief feature being the rapidity with which its runs through the several
stages of the disease and its fatality.
The health of the European Officers for the past year has been very unsatisfactory; 5
have left the station on sick leave. It may be worthy of remark, that long service here has a
peculiar effect on the brain, causing loss of memory or extreme nervous prostration. These
symptoms are common enough to remark on them.
G. M.' s 2nd Regiment Sind Horse.
Jacobabad.—In Medical charge of Surgeon R. BYRAMJEE, M.D., Strength 365.
In the year 1870 the total number treated amounted to 708; 13 of these being the re
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mainder from the year previous.
The average daily sick increased to 32 patients daily; of the 695 admissions, 427 were from
ague. Of the ague cases three proved fatal; two of these were complicated with pneumonia,
and the third died of sheer exhaustion. The different varieties of quartan, tertian, and quotidian
were observed much the same as the year before, but the treatment was varied from November,
as will be stated below. With regard to the use of quinine, it was given in three grain doses at
the interval of 1 hour; four doses were given, commencing about three or four hours before the
expected attack; this I have found after many years' experience to be the best mode of adminis
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tering the quinine. Three grains as a rule sufficed, in some severe cases five grains were given
four times at the same interval. There were some cases, however, which required a different
mode of procedure; fifteen grains in one large dose were given half an hour to an hour before
the expected hour of attack. The cases which required this mode of administering quinine were,
where the attack was persistent, coming on at almost a fixed hour, and though of a mild
nature, yet as a rule did not yield to quinine given in the usual way. Now, I have to mention
the use of another substance during the months of November and December. In 1867 while
on leave to Europe, I met Professor Polli of Milan; he recommended the use of the "sulphites"
in malarious fevers; he had largely used them himself in Lombardy and with great suc
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cess. Other medical men had also used them with great benefit at his recommendation.
I tried to get "sulphites" from the Medical Stores, but could not, as there were "none,"
so I purchased the hyposulphite of soda myself. I gave it in only twelve cases in the