34
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
I have ascertained the daily diet in common use in the Regiment, which I subjoin, giving
the quantity and cost of materials used :—
Rs. a. p.
Rice............................... 4 o z s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 0 9
Wheat flour............................... 1 l b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 1 4
Dhall............................... 4 o z s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 0 4
Mutton............................... 8 o z s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 1 0
Ghee............................... 4 o z s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 1 4
Vegetables............................... 4 o z s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 0 2
Curry Stuff............................... 3 o z s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 0 6
Firewood............................... 8 l b s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0 1 6
Lbs. 2 11
Rs. 0 6 11
This diet combines a fair proportion of nitrogenous and oleagenous substances with hydro-
carbonates ; it seems to suit excellently well the constitution of the native who maintains on
it in this Regiment a very fair standard of health and efficiency. In addition sugar and
numerous starch-forming compounds enter largely into the components of his diet ; amongst
the poorer men, I know the flour of other cereals is substituted for wheat flour, and instead of
dhall (toor) other leguminous plants supply a cheaper pulse, which is more largely used.
Leguminous plants form part of native diet, almost invariably to supply the nitrogenous com-
pounds of the system, where an animal diet, on account of caste, is not sanctioned. The syces
use the cheaper grains of bajree and jowaree and mut or coultie as a pulse, instead of gram or
toor dhall ; they cannot afford to eat animal food oftener than once a week or twice at the
utmost. The Mussulmans eat twice daily, the breakfast is a slight repast (except in fasting
seasons), consisting chiefly of rice and milk and bread, the dinner is the principal meal, eaten
after sunset. The Hindoo eats only once daily after sunset. Hindoo and Mussulman in
the Regiment eat animal food and have almost a common dietary. Many Hindoos eat twice
daily, but the Brahmins and more strict Pardasee eat only once daily, and of course eschew
most religiously animal food in any shape or form. The Pardasees and Brahmins constitute
such a small minority that they can hardly be said to form an exception ; such as we have,
however, confine themselves to pulses and grains alone as common articles of food ; vegetables
and fruits are used by them, very largely, and oils. Observing amongst a few men a scorbutic
taint during the past season, I recommended kokum to be added to the ordinary dietary, as it
was inexpensive and easily procurable in the bazaar ; it was used with great advantage and
the men were so sensible of the benefits they derived, that they still of their own
accord continue to use it. As vegetables (Native and European) are scarce in Seroor, and
imported from neighbouring villages, I have recommended a station Regimental garden, which
should ensure a constant supply of cruciferæ and other antiscorbutic vegetables, which cannot
be procured in Seroor at present ; the pumkins, brinjals, bhendies, turai and melons are poor
substitutes.
The average strength at head quarters for the year has been 285. The duties of the
Regiment in Seroor and on detachment differ in no essential from those of preceding years ;
and in connection with the duties, I should mention that the standard guard-room is small and
badly ventilated, under the same roof is the standard guard cell for the confinement of prisoners.
The cell is small, confined, badly ventilated and unsuited for the purpose to which it is applied, and
is likely to injure men's health if confined in it for long periods. In October a squadron was
sent to Poona which has reduced the strength at head quarters very much, reducing the
the number to 190. The total number of admissions for past year 198 ; two remained from
preceding year so that the whole number treated for that period in hospital will be 200
patients. The average daily number of sick 5.54 ; the average daily sick per cent. 2.0 ; the
percentages of deaths to treated 1.0, the percentage of deaths to strength 0.7.
The Regiment is now in good health and has improved much during the past year. Fevers,
intermittent and ephemeral, caused the greatest number of admissions ; the total number of