Mortality according to Race.
Influence of Rainfall.
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
found at a depth varying from 30 to 40 feet in the higher parts of the cantonment to about
15 feet in the less elevated parts of the plain beyond. It is in nearly every instance of a
brackish character, and unfit for drinking purposes. Drainage of camp is good, owing to the
natural slope of the ground. The climate is hot and dry, and not unhealthy, except during
two or three months immediately succeeding the rains, when malarial fevers are prevalent.
2. The lines are good and well built, with broad roads separating the huts; each hut
is about 10 feet square. Ventilation is confined to such circula
-
tion of air as can take place through the doors. There is a
small bazaar near the lines; but it is only a few minutes' walk from the lines to the general
bazaar. There are no villages near the lines. The lines being situated at the lowest end of
the camp, drainage is not so perfect as in other parts, but the rain does not collect in the
lines. A. small temporary tank is formed near the lines in the rainy season; it is certainly
desirable that this should no longer be the case. There are no other tanks near. Trench
latrines are used, situated a short distance from the lines.
3. The fact that the whole supply of drinking water for Nusseerabad cantonment is
obtained from only two sources, one of which is at a consider
-
able distance, is a sufficient indication of the imperfections of
the water-supply, at any rate as to quantity; its quality is good.
4. Good and abundant. The sepoy on an average gets
about annas 11 per mensem as grain compensation.
112
Lines.
Water-supply.
Food.
Duties, &c.
5. The health of the men does not seem to have been
affected by their duties. There is a gymnasium at Nusseerabad
at which many attended.
6. From Nusseerabad to Mhow. The left wing arrived at Mhow on the 24th Decem
-
ber 1875; the right wing is at the present date still on the
march. Very little of interest occurred on the march. The
cases were chiefly ague and foot-soreness, which occurred chiefly among the recruits. A
severe hail-storm was experienced one day, which completely wetted the tents. No bad
result followed, chiefly, I am inclined to think, owing to the issue of some hay to each tent
for the men to lie upon. 2 cases of pneumonia occurred, but were brought into Mhow
convalescent.
7. The hospital is a large building, on the Bengal standard plan, situated in an isolated
position some distance from the lines; it is surrounded by a
compound wall, within which are the various offices and quarters
for the hospital staff. The ventilation is by numerous doors as well as openings in the roof,
and very free when these openings are not closed. There was no over-crowding. Acco
m-
modation is ample—two large wards and three small ones, besides office and dispensary. T
he
contents of the latrines are twice a day carried away in a cart kept at hospital specially
for the purpose. The hospital water-supply is from Diggee and from a well in the hospital
compound.
8. Total treated 675, died in hospital 1, invalided 27, discharged by court-mar
-
tial 2, discharged at their own request 6, and dismissed 1.
Principal causes of admissions were malarial fevers 247, injuries
70, rheumatic affections 56, skin diseases 49, diseases of the liver 4, diarrhœa 25, and dysentery
S. Only 1 case of death occurred in hospital during the year under review, the cause of
death being in this case returned as anæmia. 3 men are reported to have died while
on
furlough; in only 1 case (small-pox) is the cause of death known.
Marches.
Hospital.
Sickness, &c.
9. 1 Mussulman died in hospital, and 2 Hindus and
1 Mussulman while absent on furlough.
10. There is an increase of malarious fevers after the
cessation of the rains.
11. Epidemics.—None
12. Vaccination and re-vaccination have been carried on by the district vaccinator
though with a considerable break in the rains, the alleged cause being that the parts in
-
oculated are much irritated by the insects at this period. This does not appear to me to be
a satisfactory reason for omitting the operation.
General Health and Physique
of the Men.
13. On the whole good, though some of the last batch
of recruits are rather below the average, and nearly all the
recruits suffered much from fever during the months of Septem
-
ber and October.