NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
18
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The station is regarded by the natives as a healthy one, and a number of invalids of the
Bombay Army select it for permanent residence when pensioned. The longevity of some of
these men is perhaps noteworthy. One is living here who is 82 years of age, and has been
in receipt of Government pension for 36 years, and others somewhat younger have
been pensioned from 24 to 32 years. The climate may be characterised as a dry and
warm one during the greater part of the year, with short cold weather and comparatively
light rains. It is considered to be as superior to Dhoolia in point of healthiness as Nassick
to this station. In 1869 the. mean maximum temperature was 86, the mean minimum 73, the
extreme maximum in the shade in May was 104, the extreme minimum in the shade was 52.
In 1870 the mean maximum was 87, the mean minimum 72, the extreme maximum 56.
The average temperature and rainfall in these two years will be seen in the subjoined table.
1869.
1870.
M e a n m i n i - m u m .
M e a n m a x i - m u m E x t r e m e m i n i - m u m
E x t r e m e m a x i - m u m
RAIN. Me a n m i n i - m u m M e a n m a x i - m u m E x t r e m e m i n i - m u m
E x t r e m e m a x i - m u m
RAIN.
I n c h e s .
Ce nt s .
I nches. cent s.
January.
64 82 59 88
. . .
. . . 63 80 57
86 ... ...
February
67 85 58 92
. . . ... 65 86 58
90 ...
. . .
March
74 89 64 95 ... ... 7
90 65
97 ... ...
April
79 98 75 104 ... ... 79 98 74
104 ... ...
May
82 99 73 104 ... 45 79 99 75
104 ... 16
June
78 91 74 102
6 49 78 87 75
101
7 81
July
78 87 76 95
2 41 77 83 75
91
3 28
August
78 86 74 93
8 91 77 83 74
86
2 67
September
76 83 74 92
6 43 76 86 73
95
3 44
October
70 84 65 90
3 80 75 86 68
95
3 02
November
66 80 58 88
1 16 69 85 61
91 ... 18
December
4 78 52 86
2 22 63 80 56
86 ... ...
Total
...
... ... ... 31 47 ... ... ...
...
20 56
Mean
73 86 ... ...
. . .
... 72 87 ...
...
. . . ...
The rains are variable but generally light; in the season of 1868 they completely failed,
only, 10 inches and 72 cents were gauged; in 1869 31 inches and 47 cents; and in 1870 20
inches and 56 cents were registered. The rainfall in 1870 was 10.91 cents less than the
preceding year, and the temperature in the first three months was rather below, and of the
last four months, above that of the last four months in the corresponding months of the
previous year. Hot dry winds prevail in March, April, and May, when the place has a parched
and burnt-up look, and dust storms arise occasionally. The mornings, however, are upon the
whole generally comparatively cool, and the nights rarely such as sleep cannot be obtained
from the heat. Previous to the rains, and in September and October, there is more or less
marked electrical disturbance with cloudy close oppressive weather.
SURVEY PLAN
OF
CIVIL TOWN OF DHOOLIA AND ITS ENVIRONS.
Scale 660 Feet to an Inch.
24
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Company at Myjee Fair, from the 12th January to the 20th of March, had only an average
strength of 5 European Officers and 457 Native Commissioned and Non-Commissioned Officers
and privates at head quarters.
The ordinary diet of the healthy sepoys during the year was as far as can be ascertained
usually as follows :
—
The Purdasee sepoy consumed daily—
Wheat flour ............................... 2 lbs.
Dhall ...............................
4 oz.
Ghee ...............................
2 oz.
Salt ...............................
½ oz.
Milk 1 lb. is at times taken instead of dhall, an about once a week mutton 1 lb. This ration
is not good, being deficient in fat and nitrogenous substances, and wholly devoid of vegetables,
and the consequence is, that this caste of men suffer more from scorbutic diseases than the
other sepoys.
The Mahratta sepoy (unmarried) consumed daily
Wheat flour ............................... 2 lbs.
Dhall ...............................
4 oz.
Rice ...............................
½ lb.
Ghee ...............................
1 oz.
Vegetables.—Potatoes, radish, brinjals, methee, onions, bhendies, pumpkin.
Salt ...............................
½ oz.
Spices ...............................
1 oz.
Mutton ...............................
1 lb. twice a week ; and
Fish, fresh, dry or salt ½ lb. almost every day; but the married Mahratta does not use wheaten
flour, he eats bajree which is less expensive.
The Mussulman sepoy consumed daily—
Wheaten flour ............................... 2 lbs.
Mutton or Fish ............................... ½ lb.
Rice ...............................
½ lb. °D
hall ...............................
2 oz.
Ghee ...............................
1 oz.
Salt ...............................
1 oz.
Onions ...............................
2 oz.
Spices ...............................
1 oz.,
and two or three times a week, vegetable 1 lb.; and sometimes beef is used instead of mutton,
which being cheaper is taken in much larger quantities.
The Purwaree sepoy consumed daily—
Bajree flour ............................... 2 lbs.
Rice ...............................
½ lb.
Dhall ...............................
4 oz.
Ghee ...............................
1 oz.
Salt ...............................
½ oz.
Vegetable ............................... 1 lb. about three times a week,
and Beef 1 lb., also about as often.
The above-quoted rations are not to be considered the ordinary diet of all the sepoys of
the nth Regiment, as many of the men, particularly those with families, have much lower
rations.
In the 25th Regiment there were 490 admissions during the year. Mae was the pre
- v a i l i n g d i s e a s e a n d c o n t r i b u t e d 2 8 2 c a s e s t o t h e n u m b e r o f a d m i s s i o n s i n t o h o s p i t a l , a n d w a s
PL
OF THE
N M E N T A N D
F O R T
AT
A
U M .
WEST.
EAST.
NORTH.
SOUTH.
A PLAN SHOWING THE ARRANGEMENT OF
THE NEW LINES.
PLAN OF SEPOYS' AND NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS' QUARTERS.
PLAN OF NATIVE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS' QUARTERS.
COPIED BY R. ROJARIO
B. E. S. PREES.
A VIEW OF THE NEW LINES.
R. ROZARIO.
R. K. E. PRESS.
S H O W I N G A P O R T I O N O F T H E O L D L I N E S W I T H T H E N E W L I N E S A P E A R I N G B E H I N D T H E M .
49
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
ters, and other wing remaining at Malligaum. It so happened that the latrines for the former
were finished first, and the solitary tank cart was indented for and obtained. But when the
the latrines at Malligaum were completed and a tank cart indented for, it was refused, on the
plea that the one cart sanctioned by regulation had already been supplied to the Regiment.
They were allowed two or three extra sweepers, and told to make the best arrangement they
could. The result was that the sweepers could not carry the pans far, they deposited their
contents on the nearest spot beyond camp limits, viz., on the opposite or left bank of the
river. Had they been disposed to remove it further, they could not have done so, as the
ground up to the very edge of the bank is private property. This river supplies water to the
town, the cantonment, bazaar, and the chief well of the lines; the latter being the highest up
the stream, On inspecting the spot where the filth was deposited, I found it still higher up than
the well. It was moreover at the lowest portion of the bank, almost on a level with the water,
so much so that the slightest rise in the stream must cause its free admixture with the water,
while the liquid state of the deposits must have been constantly furnishing contamination.
I next examined the contents of the well and made inquiries respecting the alleged quality
of the water; I found it clear and sparkling, and people seemed to approve of it as being good.
This appeared strange considering its vicinity to such an accumulation of filth, and fortunately
before leaving Malligaum, I had the opportunity of seeing the result of an analysis of some of
it, which had a little time before been sent by Dr. Murray to the Chemical Analyser to Govern
-ment. From this it appeared, as might have been expected, that the amount of nitrite and
nitrate was 1.47 per gallon. As water containing only 0.41 was pronounced by the Health
Officer of London as "very dirty and vile" and unfit to drink—what must be the supposed quality
of the Malligaum well water?
On ascertaining the above facts, I pointed them out to the Major-General Commanding
the Division, and suggested that a tank cart should at once be provided, and a suitable plot of
ground (at least half a mile from camp) be purchased, if otherwise unattainable, for the recep
-tion of the filth. He informed me afterwards that he had sent my letter on to head quarters.
Ultimate result as yet unknown.
13 s
NORTHERN AND MHOW DIVISIONS.
Average strength present during the year ......................................... 7,774
Average daily sick per cent. to the average strength.........................
5.00
Ratio of mortality per cent. to the average strength..........................
0.73
K . M . ' s 6 t h R e g i m e n t N . I
.
Ahmedabad.—In Medical charge of Surgeon E. F. WHEATLEY, Strength 562.
This year has been a very healthy one compared to 1869 ; a few cases of small-pox ap
- p e a r e d b u t r e m a i n e d l o c a l i z e d ; t h e p r e v a i l i n g d i s e a s e d u r i n g t h e y e a r w a s a m i l d t y p e o f a g u e ;
the number of deaths during the year were six.
Every sanitary measure was taken to keep the lines healthy ; house accommodation for
Officers is wanting, and the rent is high.
For the last three years the 8th Regimental lines were nearly free from cholera, measles,
chicken-pox, small-pox, &c.; the reason of this is, in my belief, that they have good lines, well-
built, and ventilation good, whilst the lines of the 6th Regiment N. I. are old, badly-built,
walls honeycombed, and ventilation bad. I would, therefore, recommend a new set of lines
for the 6th Regiment N. I., to be built more north of camp, and the present lines rased to the
ground.
The detachment at Sadra—healthy.
Ahmedabad.—In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon H. F. McGRATH, subsequently
of Assistant Surgeon J. T. WELSH, Strength 601.
The past year was the fourth of the Regiment's residence at Ahmedabad, and, as might be
expected, the health of the men has not improved. In 1869 the average number of daily sick
(which was considerably in excess of the previous year 1868, and greatly exceeded the sickness
during the six preceding years), amounted to 48.8, and for 1870 the number is 48.5. The
strength of the regiment at head quarters, however, was 578 in 1869 and 601 in 1870, the
difference being partly accounted for by the fact that in the former year a detachment of 55
men was stationed at Sadra every alternate month, and another of 44 men was furnished to the
Rewa Kanta for six consecutive months ; whereas in 1870 no detachment was sent to the
Rewa Kanta, and the detachment at Sadra was only stationed there during the last two months
of the year.
The percentage of treated to strength was in 1869 218.7 and in 1870, 200.6. There was
also a decrease in the number of deaths; the number in the former year being 8 and in the
latter 1.
45 men were invalided during 1869 and 20 in 1870 ; possibly it would have been better
had the number for the latter year been higher.
Of the 1,174 admissions to hospital 706 were cases of ague, exceeding by 45 the number
of ague cases during 1869. This is almost the only disease for which there has been an
increase in the number of admissions. The monthly admissions were as follows : January 54,
February 39, March 25, April 19, May 32, June 30, July 37, August 33, September 51,
October 109, November 137 and December 140. The majority of the cases were of a mild
nature, and in many instances the same patients were admitted several times.
NORTHERN AND MHOW DIVISIONS OF THE .ARMY.
55
2ndly.—Jeyraj being nearly all in Mussulman territory, viz., in that of the Nawab of
Pahlanpoor; troops and residents on the hill would not be subjected to the stupid restrictions
imposed on people at Aboo regarding beef, &c.
3rdly.—Jeyraj is, from its shape at the summit, particularly adapted for barracks, there
being but little or no low ground, and few hollows where water accumulates, the site Would be
easily drained ; whereas at Aboo, most of the houses are placed in a basin surrounded by hills,
and the sanitarium is consequently famous for its bad fevers in the season after the rains.
4thly.—From the shape of the hills, houses on the summit of Jeyraj would have the bene-
fit of every breeze from every quarter, while the actual height above the sea level of this
situation would be the same, or rather higher than the basin of Aboo whereon the houses are
chiefly built. Some years hence, when railways have brought Aboo nearer to other military
cantonments, it may become crowded, and when other barracks are to be built, it will be as well
to think about Jeyraj, up which a good road could be easily constructed at small expense as
compared with a road to Aboo.
CAVALRY HOSPITAL.
Floor Space.
L B
Floor space............................94½ X 22=2,079 (A)
H
Cubage up to tie beam=Floor space X 13/¾ 28,586 (B)
area
Cubage roof space......................=22 x 7/2 x 83
½
11 X 7 X 22
/2
Cubage up to tie beam + 7,277 (C) Cubage of roof.
Total Cubage = 35,860 nearly.
The sanitary state of the hospital and its vicinity is satisfactory. It is built on an excel
-lent site, there being sufficient natural drainage on all sides to convey away the storm water.
Remarks on the Dress and Equipment of 1st Bombay Light Cavalry.
Stones.
lbs.
Heaviest man in the Regiment.....................................
12
12
Lightest do......................................
7
4
Average weight standing............................................
9
6 ¾
Average weight on ordinary
mounted duty.................
With old saddle...................
13
5 ¾
With new saddle.................
12
1 2 3 / 5
In complete marching order.
Old saddle .......................
15
1 3 3 / 5
14
1 2 3 / 5
New saddle.........................
The Sowars and Non-Commissioned Officers of the 1st Cavalry have two descriptions of
uniform, the Fatigue dress, worn in camp on ordinary duties, and the marching order or Full
dress which would be worn on service. The Fatigue dress, or ordinary dress for Regimental
duties in camp, is usually made of American drill or other light material of cotton, obtainable
in the bazaars. It is dyed in the bazaar a dark blue, and consists of a short jacket nearly tight
-fitting and trowsers of the same colour and material. Shoes with clasps and small twisted pug
- g r e e o f t h i n r e d c o t t o n m a t e r i a l ( m u d d r a ) c o m p l e t e t h i s d r e s s .
58
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The Regiment is composed as follows:—
H I N D O O S , I N C L U D I N G
P u r d a s e e s .
Barhmins
8 3
Chutrees
4 4
Other Castes
9 0
T o t a l
2 1 7
Maharattas
2 5 1
Purwarees
8 9
Mochees
3 1
T o t a l
3 7 1
Mussulmans
7 8
Christians
6
T o t a l
8 4
Punjaubees.
Mussulmans
5
Hindoos (Sikhs)
2 3
T o t a l
2 8
G r a n d T o t a l
7 0 0
In the composition of the Regiment the various districts of India contribute in the following
proportion:—
Hindoostan
2 7 4
Concan
3 3 7
Deckan
3 5
Guzerat
5
Madras
2 0
Punjaub
2 8
Affghanistan
1
T o t a l
7 0 0
Increase and Decrease.
Number of recruits joined during the year
2 9
Do. of men invalided out of the service and pensioned
1 1
Do. of men died at head quarters
3
Do. of men died on furlough
3
Of the men invalided out of the service and pensioned, (1) one was a case of incurable chronic
ulcer of the skin over the hip joint, (1) one case of rupture, (1) one of varicose veins, (1) one
of club foot, and the others were all men of long service physically infirm from age, and
crippled with chronic rheumatism. The two men who died on furlough had both been sent
away on medical certificate, one with phthisis and the other with a solidified lung from pneu
-monia. Of the (3) three deaths which have occurred during the year at head quarters, (1) one
was brought into the hospital dead from excessive drinking, (1) one from acute phthisis in a
patient already suffering from ague, (1) one from exhaustion consequent on the occurrence
of uncontrollable diarrhœa in a man convalescent from ague.
Their cases marked respectively B, C, and D, are appended to the report.
Food. —The following table gives an approximate statement of the nature, and average
daily consumption of the various kinds of food in general use among the men of the different
castes who compose the Regiment. I must mention, however, that the daily consumption of
food by a native soldier is greatly modified, both in quality and quantity, by his means, and
the variety of conditions in which he is placed. A man with a large family is unable to obtain
meat except as an occasional luxury, and moreover, is frequently obliged to substitute bajree for
wheaten flour on grounds of economy; this is generally the case with Purwarees and Mochees.
Fresh vegetables again may form a considerable portion of his diet in some stations where
they are cheap and easily obtained, but in others where they are scarce (as at Bhooj), his
consumption of them will necessarily be limited. When in hospital, the native soldier (except
in cases which are especially dieted by the Medical Officer), generally eats his ordinary food,
in some cases cooking it himself, in others having it prepared and brought to him by a
comrade of the same caste from the lines.
DIET.
W h e a t F l o u r .
R i c e .
B a j r e e F l o u r .
D a l l .
G h e e .
V e g e - t a b l e s .
N u m b e r o f m e a l s e a c h d a y .
l b s .
o z s .
l b s .
o z s .
o z s .
o z s .
P u r d a s e e s .
Brahmins
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
. . .
2
Chutrees
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
. . .
2
M e a t , l b s
Ahears
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
Corees
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
Pesees
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
Guduria and Mochees, &c.
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
Punjaubees
1 ½
. . .
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
Mussulmans
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
Mahrattas
1
8
. . .
4
2
4
1
2
D r i e d F i s h .
Purwarees and Mochees
. . .
8
1
4
2
4
8
2
Nature of duties performed by the Regiment during the year.
The Regiment has not been over-worked with parades during the year, and the duty
has on the whole been light; no detachments have been sent away from head quarters; a few escort
parties to Mysana (half way between Deesa and Ahmedabad), and occasionally to Erunpoora,
being the only outside work that has been performed by the Regiment. On one or two occasions
during the year, the average number of nights in bed fell below four, in consequence of a large
number of sick being in hospital, while the several companies were going through musketry
instruction in their turn, and were temporarily struck off from duty; this only lasted for a short
time, during which certain guards were reduced in strength. It was observed in the early
part of the year that the effect of "running drill" was to slightly increase the number of
admissions into hospital, such increase, however, being due for the most part, to slight cases
of catarrh and trivial lung affections in men, who but for the running drill, would not have
presented themselves at hospital for treatment at all; but it cannot be said that the running
drill had any direct influence in originating disease. Some few men on being discharged from
64
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The new Native Infantry hospital is in good order, and affords ample accommodation for
the sick; but quarters for the medical subordinates are urgently required.
The condition of the Native Infantry huts is good with the exception of the roofs, which
are reported to be very leaky; the sanitary condition of lines satisfactory.
The water supplied to the Native Infantry troops from wells is of bad quality, causing
diarrhœa, &c.
The surroundings are, to the right, artillery horse stables; left, open space; front, parade
ground; rear, bazaar and Officers' lines.
The ordinary diet of the sepoys in health is principally farinaceous; the Hindoos eat
mutton occasionally, the Mohamedans and lower castes who can afford it eat meat, both
mutton and beef.
No local disease.
Detachment of D. M.'s 25th Regiment N. I., Subsequenly D. M.'s 6th Regiment N. I.
Burda Chowkey.—In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon D. B. LONG, Strength 90.
Thehospital is a very wretched tenement, in a condition almost ruinous; the roof is completely
out of repair, the walls are cracked, and neither windows or doors fit properly so as to exclude
the hot winds in the hot weather, nor the bitterly cold winds of the cold season. During the
monsoon it was found necessary to remove the patients to the Hebbert Hospital.
No latrine accommodation of any kind is provided for patients in the military hospital; the
temporary structure, erected as a latrine for the use of patients in hospital last cold weather,
was destroyed by the heavy rains in June, since which time the patients have been without
any latrine accommodation whatever.
The water, I am satisfied from some experiments I have made, is extremely bad and
utterly unfit for human consumption for any lengthened period.
The Detachment has been, at least during the rainy season, most unhealthy during its
stay at Burda Chowkey.
Detachment of D. M.'s 25th Regiment N. I. Subsequently of 6th Regiment N. I.
Dwarka.—Strength 90—health good.
Mhow.—In Medical charge of Surgeon C. JOHNSON, Strength 570.
During the Past year the average strength of H. M.'s 3rd Regiment N. I., stationed at
Mhow, has been 570, the left wing having been part of that time at Indore. The health of
the Regiment is reported good, the average number of daily sick being 13.9; the number of
admissions from all causes 538; number of deaths 5.
The prevailing diseases have been fever, rheumatism, bronchitis, and conjunctivitis.
D. M.'s 14th Regiment N. I.
Mhow.—In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon A. H. HUGHES, Strength 500.
The Regiment marched into Mhow from Mehidpore and Augur in December 1867,
relieving the 6th Regiment N. I.
The Regimental lines are to the north of camp, having the lines of the 3rd N. I. to the
east, Officers' bungalows between them and the bazaar to the south, and open country on the
north and west. The drainage from the lines is fair, there being a slight fall both towards the
road on the south and the open country to the north.