NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
- r a l i m p r o v e m e n t i n t h e h e a l t h o f t h e t r o o p s u n d e r a l l t h e p r i n c i p a l c l a s s e s o f
disease.
At Tanna where the "Regimental lines" are unsuitable and objectionable, the
admissions from "fever" and bowel-complaints in 1870 were 163 and 52, as against
245 and 75 in 1869, the strength of the wing being about the same in both years.
There has been but one case of cholera (occurring in the 13th N. I. at Surat)
in the whole Division.
6. In the Poona Division and Southern, Mahratta Circle there has been a
decided improvement in the health of the troops this year, as compared with 1869,
under all heads of the return given in the Appendix. The strength was about
the same in both years.
There were three cases of cholera in 1870, and 25 cases in 1869; there were
also fewer admissions from fever and bowel-complaints.
7. In the Northern and Mhow Divisions the troops in some of the stations
were very unhealthy in 1869, suffering principally from fever and scurvy. There
has been considerable improvement during 1870, especially in the 11th Regiment
N.I.. at Nusseerabad, and the 19th Regiment N. I. at Bhooj, both Regiments
having left these stations at the end of 1870 for Sattara and Bombay respectively.
The "average daily sick" in the 11th Regiment has been reduced from 60.3
in 1869 to 40.5 in 1870, and the number of deaths from 24 in 1369 to 12 in 1870.
The state of health of the 8th Regiment N. I. at Ahmedabad is unsatisfac-
tory, and contrasts unfavourably with that of the 6th Regiment N. I. at the same
s t a t i o n .
Average daily sick . . .
28.1
. . . 6th Regiment N. I.,
D o . . . .
4 8 . 3 . . . 8th
do.,
the last being the highest number of daily sick in the native army for the year.
The next in the list being the 20th Regiment N. I. at Deesa, which has an average
daily sick of 43.9.
8. In the Sind District the 29th Regiment N. I. at Kurrachee has suffered
much less from malarious fever than in 1869, when there were 810 admissions
from it, those of 1870 being only 226.
The admissions under other heads were about the same in both years.
The frontier station at Jacobabad has a medical history this year, which is
unlike that of the rest of the native army. Instead of showing an improvement
over 1869, there are indications of a condition of general health which is inferior
to that of the year before.
In the three Regiments of Sind Horse, the admissions and daily sick are
greater this year than in 1869; the deaths also are more numerous.
In the 30th Regiment N. I., the number of deaths during the year was 32,
whilst in 1869 there were 14 fatal cases.
The increased mortality has been explained as being the result of a low form
of pneumonia, brought on probably by the severity of the cold season at Jacobabad,
which would predispose the men in an unusual degree to chest complaints. The
men moreover are said to be careless as to warm clothing; such a mortality, how
-ever, would seem to point to the general physique of the men being below the
proper standard—there has been some neglect as to food.
9. At Aden the health of the troops has been better than in the preceding
year; the total admissions in 1870 were 1,247, whilst in 1869 they were 1,550.
This garrison has been in difficulties for years as to the supply of good
drinking water, and good wholesome vegetables. I am glad to learn that private
enterprise is likely to create a supply of vegetables, which will be an immense
boon to all the troops in this garrison.
10. The strength of the native army on the 31st December 1870—23,670—
was made up of the following different classes of men
:—
73.29 per cent. were Hindoos.
25.50 do. Mahomedans.
0.48 do. Christians and Jews.
The death-rate of Hindoos was 1.22 per cent., and of Mahomedans 1.28 per cent.
to their respective strength; the percentage of daily sick to average strength
being 5.00.
During the year 3.68 per cent. to strength were invalided, and 2.32 per cent.
to strength were sent for change.
11. The native army has been in garrison during the year; the only change
has been the carrying out of the annual reliefs, and this has been done so far as
completed to the end of the year, without any noticeable sickness and without ac
- - c i d e n t s a m o n g s t t h e t r o o p s .
12. The rations of native soldiers have been reported upon by several medi
-cal officers.
It has been noticed that in many cases, amongst those especially who are
married and have families depending upon them, the custom is to economize
rations to an extent damaging to the general physique of the sepoy.
I think as a general rule it may be taken for granted, that when disease of a
low form attacks native soldiers, which is not to be accounted for by the nature
of their duties, or by anything of a climatic or special nature in the station in
which they may be serving, the strong presumption is that poor and insufficient
food is the disturbing cause. It seems a case specially for the influence of the
Commanding Officer, acting with the advice of the Medical Officer of the Re
-giment. No direct means seems suitable to such a case, and yet it is one requir
-ing observation and remedy.
13. The Regimental lines and hospitals are generally reported as being in
good order; as a rule the troops are comfortably housed when in health, and
have excellent hospital accommodation when sick.
The only known exceptions to this rule are under inquiry and reference,
with a view to improvement.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
A. WRIGHT,
Inspector General Indian Medical Department.
A SKETCH
OF THE
MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY,
FOR THE
YEAR 1870.
[The Regiments are placed as they stood in the Army List on the 1st July 1870.]
PRESIDENCY DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
Average strength present during the year, Infantry . . .
2,446
Average daily sick per cent. to the average strength . . .
3.06
Ratio of mortality per cent. to the average strength . . .
0.74
21st Regiment Aatibe Infantry,
Bombay.
In Medical charge of Surgeon-Major J. GILBERT, Strength 633.
During the past year the average strength of the Regiment has been six hundred and
thirty-three. Three hundred and ninety-six cases have been admitted. Twelve remained
on the 1st of January 1870, making the total treated four hundred and eight. Of these three
hundred and eighty-nine were discharged, five died, and fourteen were in hospital on the 31st
December 1870. Twenty-five men have been sent away on sick certificate, and twenty-one
have been invalided. The percentage of treated to strength has been 64.4, of deaths to
strength 0.8, of deaths to treated 1.2. The daily average of sick has been fifteen.
2. The prevailing diseases have been ague, chronic rheumatism, conjunctivitis, diarrhœa,
contusions, and dysentery.
3. One hundred and twenty-four cases of ague were treated ; of these one died, and the
remainder were discharged ; the disease was not of an obstinate or severe type, yielded readily
to the usual treatment, but in many cases was followed by great debility, from which it
took some time to recover. Three cases were much benefitted by the Liq. arsenicalis.
4. Three cases of remittent fever were admitted, of these one died and the others re
-
covered.
5. Thirty-nine cases of chronic rheumatism came under treatment. None died ; the
disease was treated with the usual remedies with more or less success, rest and warmth,
however, seemed to be nearly as effective as medicine. The treatment by small and repeated
blisters was frequently tried, but with very little apparent benefit.
6. Thirty-six cases of conjunctivitis were admitted, two were of a very severe type
and had to be invalided, the others were mild, and were soon discharged cured. These
cases were carefully separated from the other patients.
7. Twenty-five cases of diarrhœa were treated, none proved fatal, the disease was treated.
successfully in the usual manner—one case of choleraic diarrhœa came in, and was discharged.
cured.
1 s
3
PRESIDENCY DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
and Mochees, all of them meat-eating. There is generally a higher. rate of sickness in this
Regiment, but this may be accounted for, probably by their almost constant residence in
Bombay, whilst the stay of other Sepoy corps is only temporary."
D e t a c h m e n t H . M . ' s 2 n d G r e n a d i e r R e g i m e n t N . I .
In Medical charge of Surgeon-Major J. GILBERT, Strength 202.
The health of the Detachment has been very good during the past year. The admissions
have been 123, treated 128, percentage of treated to strength 63.3, whereas last year it was
86.1. There have been no deaths.
In Medical charge of Surgeon-Major J . GILBERT.
The details for the year have averaged 57. Of these 85 have been treated. Two deaths
have occurred; one from debility, the other from dysentery. Daily average sick two, treated
to strength 61.4; death to strength 3.5; deaths to treated 5.7. Nothing of any particular
interest has occurred during the year.
H.M.s 22nd Regiment N. I., Bombay.
In Medical charge of Assistant Surgeon A. R. COWELL, Strength 622.
The average strength of the Regiment during the year was 622, average daily sick 15.6.
Proportion of sick to strength per cent 2.5. Percentage of treated to strength 52.2. Per
-
centage of deaths to strength 0.8. Percentage of deaths to treated 1.5. Proportion of ad
-
missions to strength per cent 49.2.
The total number treated during the year was 325.
The above number, when compared with those of the last year, show a decrease, as
follows:—
Total treated during 1869 was 559, showing a decrease of 234. Fever a decrease of 94;
diarrhœa a decrease of 8; rheumatism a decrease of 36; and dysentery a decrease of 14.
Vaccination has been regularly carried on and the lymph was of good quality.
Invalids.—27 men were invalided, 25 pensioned, and 2 discharged, each with a gratuity of
six months' pay.
Hospital.—Large, well ventilated, and facing the sea, containing four very good wards,
with two small rooms at one end for infectious cases.
Regimental Lines.—The accommodation for the men is sufficient, but I consider the state
of the lines bad—1st, on account of their being situated in a bad locality and on low ground;
secondly, there is a meat market in front, which greatly interferes with the proper ventilation
of the lines; thirdly, there is a Municipal latrine at the north-east corner that gives rise to a foul
smell when the sweepers are at work; fourthly, there are no stone gutters placed between the
rows of buildings (with the exception of two) to carry of the surface water during the mon
-
soon and the dirty water which they are in the habit of throwing before their doors, so
that the place becomes saturated, offensive, and consequently unhealthy.
Vehar water was introduced into the Lines in 1869, which has been a great source of
health and comfort to the men. The only alteration that has taken place during the year
1870 is that a sewer has been made, which connects the two gutters above referred to and
carries off their contents.
4
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
In accordance with Circular No. 2829, of 27th September 1870, I have tried tow instead
of lint, and am of opinion it will never answer as a substitute for it.
The health of the Regiment has been good during the year, with the exception of the
last eight days, when there were 18 cases of ague, and 6 of dysentery, on the road between
Khundwa and Simrole.
Movement.—The Regiment left Bombay on 22nd December last, and is at present
en route to Neemuch.
The Detachment of this Regiment—was stationed at Moorood (Junjeera)—health good.
SANITARY REPORT of the Senior Medical Officer on the health of the Native Troops
in. the BOMBAY GARRISON during the year 1870.
1. The Troops in Garrison have been as follows:
—
H. M.'s 21st Regiment N. I. or Marine Battalion.
H. M.'s 22nd do. up to the 20th and 22nd December 1870.
H. M.'s 19th do. from the 20th and 22nd December to 31st.
A Detachment of H. M.'s 2nd Grenadier Regiment N. I. of 200 men from the 1st
January to 31st December 1870.
2. The average strength has been 2,144.
3.
Sickness.—The general health of the Troops has been very good. The admissions
have been 856, considerably less than in 1869, when the number was 1,257. The percentage of
deaths has been 7.5.
There has been no cholera in the Garrison but the disease made its appearance in the
neighbourhood. One case of choleraic diarrhœa was admitted and discharged cured. One
case of small-pox and four of chicken-pox occurred in April. Vaccination has been carefully
attended to and carried out successfully during the year.
Wing
o f H . M. ' s 1 0 t h R e g i me n t N . I .
A t T a n n a . — I n M e d i c a l c h a r g e o f A s s i s t a n t S u r g e o n W . C .
KI ERNANDER.
The strength of the wing of the 10th Regiment N. I. at Tanna, during the year 1870
was 285, exclusive of the two European officers.
Sickness.—Total admissions were 388, the average daily sick was 12.8. Deaths 1.
The principal diseases the men suffered from were intermittent fever, chronic rheumatism
with lumbago, bronchitis, diarrhœa, and dysentery.
The general health of the men has much improved, as a comparison between 1869 and
1870 will show.
1869, Strength —
Admissions—
Daily Sick
284 —
505 —
14
1870, 285—
388 —
12.8
But the number of admissions into Hospital is still higher than it ought to be, if the men were
quartered in better huts on a more elevated piece of ground.
SANITARY REPORT by the Medical Officer in Charge.
Considering the climate of Tanna and the amount of exposure the men undergo on Jail
Guard, the number of admissions into hospital during the year is, I think, not excessive; and
until new huts are built on a more elevated piece of ground, I do not think it possible to
have any very large decrease in the number of admissions into Hospital.
The Lines consists of four rows of huts running from east to west and parallel to one
another; they are situated on the west bank of the Tanna Creek. Each row contains four
6 SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
There is a good road leading to them.
There is a small Cantonment bazar.
The building used as a Hospital is an upper storied bungalow, situated at the end of the
Camp: It will accommodate about 36 patients. The ventilation is good. The latrines and
other buildings are in good sanitary condition. Just behind the Hospital and outside the
Camp limits is a small village.
The climate of Surat being so near the sea (about 8 miles), the Camp is exposed to the
south-west monsoon, and the prevailing winds are from the south and south-west, with occa-
sional oppressive lulls. In November, December, January, and February the prevailing
winds are from the north and north-east.
The rainfall averages about 38 inches.
The diet of the sopoys in health consists principally of rice, dall, vegetables, wheat and
jo waree.
The Hindoos eat also fish and meat.
There are no local diseases peculiar to Surat.
POONA DIVISION.
Average strength present during the year
8,612,
Average daily sick per cent. to the average strength
3.06
Rates of mortality per cent. to the average strength
0.49
F . M . ' s 3 r d R e g i m e n t T . C .
Poona.—In Medical Charge of Surgeon F. H. SMITH, Strength 433.
The general health of the men during the year 1870 has been good.
The 3rd Cavalry loft Poona for Neemuch (with much reluctance) on the 29th October
1870, after having been stationed there for 9 years, including the period passed in the late
Abyssinian Expedition, and arrived here on the 27th December 1870, and without I may
say, any unusual amount of sickness on the line of march. A squadron of the Regiment was
sent on duty to Nusseerabad on the 9th of January 1871, and a detachment of 21 men were
detained for duty at Bathle Gunj and Mulharghur, and are to be relieved by a similar party
every month.
In accordance with Circular No. 2829 of 27th September 1.870, recommending a trial of
packing tow in place of lint, I regret to state that owing to our long and tedious march, I
have been unable to give the packing tow a trial, and consequently am unable to state the
result.
Men were selected and left at Poona to appear before the General Invaliding Committee,
19 of them were recommended as unfit and pensioned, and 10 were rejected, as the Com-
mittee were of opinion that these men were fit for further service.
The food generally taken by the men is dhall, toor, wheat or bajree bread, rice, ghee, and
cheapest country vegetables, and mutton, and milk about twice or three times in a month;
potatoes and other English vegetables being very dear here, the men are consequently
deprived from enjoying these luxuries.
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
7
Poona.—In Medical Charge of Surgeon R. BOUSTEAD, Strength 664.
The average strength of the Regiment during the year has been 664, consisting of about
9 Native Christians, 30 Rajpoots, 70 Mussulmans, 80 Brahmins, 100 Purwarrees, 200
Mahrattas, and 175 of other castes, which latter include Mangs, Dairs and Domas of the
lowest caste.
The Brahmins are of two tribes, viz., "Kunojias" and. "Surwaries." The Kunojias are
the highest caste Brahmins, for food they can eat anything that has not within it the germs
of animal life, they generally subsist on milk, flour, rice, ghowr, bajree, dhall, and ghee with.
all kinds of vegetables.
The Surwaries eat anything without scruple, providing it be not the flesh of the sacred
cow, or polluted swine.
Both these tribes of Brahmins marry at a very early age (from two to eight years of age),
they are only permitted to marry one wife, and if she should become a widow, she is not
allowed to remarry. Their wives are carefully secluded from the outer world on all
occasions.
The Rajpoots are a fighting race, fine athletic fellows, who eat mutton and all the other
things enumerated as time food of Brahmins, their chief characteristic peculiarity and moral
weakness is that, their women and female children are never permitted to be seen on any
account by others than their husbands or parents; not even by their own brothers,
nor do they ever leave their rooms even for the calls of nature.
The Kunojias and Surwaries as well as the Rajpoots have distinguishing affixes to their
n a m e s t h u s : —
Kunojias and Suwarries Tribes —
Tewary
...
as Ramdeen Tewary.
Bajpay
...
„ Davie Deen Bajpay.
Dhooley
...
„ Ruggobur Dhooley.
Chowley
...
,, Sittul Chowley.
Agunhotree ...
„ Davie Deen Agunhotree.
Sookul
...
„ Heeralal Sookul.
Awustee ...
„ Giadeen Awustee.
Panday
...
,, Pragdut Paliday.
Missur
...
,, Lulloo Missur.
Oopadia
...
„ Dhumeeram Oopadia.
Chutree of Hindostan Tribes—
Somwuncle
. . . Gowur.
Rana
. . . Chundel.
Chowan
. . . Kuchowa.
Rajpoots.
. . . Byes.
Tanwur
...
Beeseori.
Budowria
. . . Ghowtain.
Distinguishing affixes of Chutree—
Sing ...
Gheerdur Sing.
Powar ...
Matadeen Powar.
The Mussulmans are followers of the Prophet Mahomed and they eat any description or
food (animal or vegetable), except the flesh of the forbidden swine, providing it has been
"hal-hal'd" sanctified by prayer while being killed. They marry as many as they can
8
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
support; these wives are carefully veiled and excluded from the outside world as much as
possible; the higher classes are the more secluded.
The Mahomedan Tribes are as follows:—
Sheik
Syed
Moga
l
Puttan.
Prefix
Sheik, as Sheik Currim.
Syed
Syed
Syed Surfew.
Mahomed Ally and
Affixes of Syed
Ally
Shaw
Jannoolashaw.
Mogal
Prefix
Meerjaw
Meerjaw Ahmed.
Puttan
Affixes
Khan
Mahomed Khan.
Buccus
Khooda Buccs.
The Mahrattas are the most numerous tribe of men in the Regiment, there being at least
two hundred of them, from all parts of the Concan and the Deccan. They are easily fed,
they eat anything that has been killed by their own caste people; they are short, thick-set
and hardy race and make good soldiers.
The original professions of the Mahrattas of the Concan and Deccan are reckoned as
follows:—
Coonbee
Cultivator.
Seempee
Tailor.
Ghowlee
Milkman.
Sonar
Goldsmith.
Tellee
Oilman.
Lollar
Blacksmith.
Coombar
Potter.
Sootar
Carpenter.
Navee
Barber.
Kassar
Utensil fitter or maker.
Mabrattas affixes to their names:—
Jadow
as Pandoo Jadow.
Powar
" Heera Powar.
Sucpaul
" Ittoo Sucpaul.
Sinday
" Mahadowrow Sinday
Guicowar
" Nagojee Guicowar.
Purab
" Bablee Purab.
Sawunt
" Essoo Sawunt.
Bhoslay
" Bapajee Bhoslay.
Ranay
" Ramjee Ranay.
Cuddum
" Jewajee Cuddum.
Sirkay
" Succojee Sirkay.
Bagay
" Ayoon Bagay.
Satum
" Bhagoo Satum.
Yadow
" Succoo Yadow.
Chowan
" Govind Chowan.
Pallow
" Pandoo Pallow.
Bhagway
" Antojee Bhagway.
Ghore
" Anundrow Ghore.
Ghoorow
" Anunda Ghoorow.
Ghondlee
" Aba Ghondlee.
Dhowar
" Rama Dhowar.
Tussal
" Balloo Tussal.
Angue
" Pandoo Angue.
Gowra
" Succo Gowra.
Some of the Mahrattas call themselves by the names of their own villages thus:
Ker—Rama
Bandowore—Ker,
he Village—belongs to
and so on.
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
9
The Mahrattas are idolaters, they are like the Mahomedans, polygamists, but they permit
free intercourse with their wives amongst their friends, and do not seclude their females in
any way. Their widows remarry at any period. They generally marry in the first instance
in infancy, they are said to be particular in their observance of their custom of bathing
every day (?)
The "other castes" which form the remainder of the Regiment consist of Purwarees,
Mangs, Pairs, and Domas, all of these of the lowest caste. They all eat anything, however
obtained. The Mangs, Pairs, and Domas go At far as to eat carrion, or even the flesh of
swine or other animal that they know has died from disease. Their shadow falling over the
food of a Brahmin renders it unclean and unfit to be eaten; yet these men are the hardiest
soldiers in the Regiment, and from their easy adaptability to all the circumstances of a camp
life and active service, they make excellent soldiers. They are comparatively free from
caste or religious prejudice, and readily put their hands to work which would be refused by
men of high caste. They marry at all ages and do not seclude their wives or children. All
the above different castes work together on duty with a good will and boa amie which is
very satisfactory. There are of all castes together 661 (to 700) and they are located in com-
fortable huts disposed of in rows which are called lines, one row or line to each company
perpendicular to the line of front, thus :—
-
- - -
-
-
- - -
-
- -
- -
- 150 feet wide.
-
- - -
-
S t r e e t
1 5 0 f e e t w i d e .
Cross Street.
C r o s s
60
feet
wide
The centre street which divides the wings of the Regiment is 150 feet wide and the other
streets are each 60 feet wide. The Native Officers' houses are on the prolongation of the rows
of huts, the Subedars in front, the Jemedars in rear. Each row or line of huts is divided
into four blocks or pendalls, thereby forming three streets parallel to the front, the intervals
between the middle pendalls being 60 feet and between the others 30 feet. The space given.
to each man is as follows, including walls and verandah :—
Commissioned Officers
35 feet 0 inches by 35 feet 0 inches.
Non-Commissioned Officers
28 „ 11
„
X 17 „ 2
„
Privates, Married
11 2 2 6 , ,
X 17 „ 2
„
„
Single
10 „ 6
„
X 17 ,, 2
,,
The space occupied by each pendall is alternately 143 feet 6 inches X 35 feet 0 inches
and 130 feet 6 inches x 35 feet 0 inches.
The space occupied by the entire lines 798 „ 0
„
X 790 „ 0 „
The foundations and plinth are over 1 feet high, and are made of mud and stone. The
walls are made of sun-dried brick plastered with mud and whitewashed with lime.
The roofs are of ordinary jungle wood with high rafters of common wood. Battens of
bamboo, and single tiled—the advantage of single tiles is very great, inasmuch as it secures
3s