76
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
In the report for the month of April it was remarked, that cases of intermittent fever were
becoming numerous, and from that time, with the exception of a slight decrease towards the
end of May and during the early part of June, admissions into hospital steadily increased in
numbers until the end of November.
Of 45 recruits who joined the Regiment from the Concan and Deccan between the 1st
April and 11th June, there were 102 admissions into hospital from fever alone.
The total admissions from all causes during the year was 845, being an increase of 137 on
that of 1869.
Of these 704 were from fever, the greater number of them being cases of ague, and from
repeatedly recurring attacks of this disease, the general health of the wing has been much im-
paired. Eight cases of simple remittent fever occurred during the year.
From diarrhœa there were four admissions only.
Of ophthalmia there were 19 cases, being less by 11 than in 1869.
Of enthetic disease there were but 3 cases.
One case of modified small-pox occurred in April.
There was no case of cholera during the year.
The following table shows the monthly admissions from the principal diseases during the
year, chiefly of malarious origin:—
D I S E A S E S .
J a n u a r y .
F e b r u a r y .
M a r c h .
A p r i l .
M a y .
J u n e .
J u l y .
A u g u s t .
S e p t e m b e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
T O T A L .
Fevers
33 12
3 33 66 62
77 81
92 95 97 53 704
Opthalmia
. . . . . .
2
3
5
. . .
. . .
2
6
1
...
2 21
Dysentery
. . .
1 ...
. . .
. . .
. . . 1
3
1
. . .
...
. . . 6
The large number of cases of intermittent fever were for the most part of the quotidian
type, and though varying much in severity and length of duration, were seldom complicated.
During and immediately subsequent to the first heavy falls of rain, a large proportion
of the primary cases occurred. Emetics and purgatives were often used at the commence-
ment of the attacks with decided benefit, and in some of these cases also, when the pyrexia
was intense and long continued, tartar emetic in solution (grs. 1/10 every hour) was given;
but the general treatment was with acetate of ammonia during the paroxysms, and quinine
in intermission; the latter was given either in one full dose (grs. 15 to 20), or in smaller ones
frequently repeated. In some lingering cases the use of liquor arsenicalis in combination with
small doses of quinine afforded good results. As a tonic in the anœmic condition frequently
induced by long continued or often recurring attacks of ague, I have used the tincture ferri
in combination with infusio quassiæ with good effect.
One death was returned under this head in January, with the remark by the Surgeon
then. in charge that, "the patient brought the fever with him, having had it for the previous
six months, and was in hospital at Surat (his last station) for one month before coming to
join this Regiment." He died the day after his admission.
There were eight cases of simple remittent fever without complication; they were all
treated with simple salines and effervescing draughts during the exacerbation, and full doses
of quinine in the remissions; their average duration was seven days. In several of them conva
- l e s c e n c e w a s t a r d y , d e b i l i t y , l o s s o f a p p e t i t e , a s m a l l w e a k p u l s e r e m a i n i n g f o r s o m e t i m e a f t e r
the attack, and requiring good food and. stimulants as well as tonics for their removal.