H. M.'s 3rd Regiment Sind Horse.
In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon E. COLSON, Strength 306.
took over charge of the 3rd Regiment Sind Horse, previously vacated. by Assistant
Surgeon Lawrance, from Assistant Surgeon Banks on August 5th 1870. Previous to my
arrival five deaths had occurred ; three resulting from pneumonia, two from intermittent
fever. Whilst the Regiment was under my charge, three deaths happened ; one from
pneumonia, two from fever. The pneumonia case was an old man, the hospital orderly, who
was quite unable to make head against the disease. The two cases of fever terminating
fatally, were both brought into hospital from out-post duty in a state of collapse from which
they never recovered—I am unable to state the type of fever.
At the Invaliding Committee held during November, thirteen men, including two
Native Officers, were discharged on pension; they were all more or less debilitated by
lengthened service in Upper Sind. One of these was also suffering from caries of tibia,
resulting from a compound fracture.
This year 24 men have proceeded on sick furlough to their own country, chiefly to
Hindoostan.
During the month of August, the total number of admissions to strength of Regiment
was 27 to 251 ; in September 83 to 298 ; in October 180 to 293 ; November 98 to 300 ; in
December 43 to 300. The larger proportion of sickness is caused by the prevalence
of intermittent fever, in almost all cases comparatively mild and amenable to treatment. A
few cases were almost chronic, but nearly always in men who had been subject to the disease
for many successive years. A few cases of dysentery have occurred during the last 5 months,
but not of a serious nature, all being rapidly cured.
No operations other than of quite a minor description have been performed this year.
Several fractures resulting from falls from horses occurred this year. I found three under
treatment ; one a compound fracture where the tibia had become carious at the seat of injury.
This case was recommended for pension and invalided in November; the remaining two made
very slow recoveries, and when sufficiently able to move, were recommended for sick leave to
their own country. Of the remaining fractures, one was at the neck of the humerus, and
complicated with the rupture of some blood vessel ; it is now making a fair recovery ; the
other was a fractured clavicle which has now recovered. The hospital is well situated and
airy, and usually sufficiently roomy for the wants of the Regiment ; but if there was any in-
- f l u x o f s e r i o u s c a s e s r e q u i r i n g t r e a t m e n t i n h o s p i t a l i t s e l f , i t i s q u i t e i n a d e q u a t e . T h i s a p p l i e s
to the cold weather, as during the hot the sick usually lie out of doors. I may mention here
that there are no fire places or appliances for fires, which I cannot but think is prejudicial
during the cold season when pneumonia cases are prevalent, and when they often terminate
fatally. I venture to suggest that pneumonia cases would have a better chance if there were
means of keeping up the temperature.
This year new lines have been built for this Regiment; they appear clean, neat, commo
- d i o u s . T h e l a t r i n e s a r e s i t u a t e d i n t h e i n t e r v a l b e t w e e n t h e t r o o p s a n d h o r s e l i n e s ; t h e t r o o p
Officer is responsible for their cleanliness. I have always remarked that they are perfectly
sweet, no smell being appreciable.
In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon J. A. HOWELL, Strength 588.
The health of the Regiment has been very bad during the year. Although there has
been no increase in the total number of admissions, I regret to mention that several very
serious cases were treated, which accounts for the large mortality. I took over charge of the