Climate of
the station.
Ventilation
and drainage
for the men's
huts.
water.
supply.
Diet.
Duty.
Epidemic
disease.
Ventilation of
the hospital.
Overcrowding
of hospital
wards.
Hospital
drainage and
latrines.
17
CENTRE OR PRESIDENCY DISTRICT.
13th Regiment Native Infantry.
STATION—MADRAS (ROYAPOORAM).
Arrived from Palaveram 5th March 1873.
Average strength
..
.. ..
• .
..
..
.. ..
713
Do. do. present ..
..
....
..
.. 690
Admissions ..
.
461
Daily sick
..
..
• •
• •
..
. •
..
..
19
Deaths in hospital ... •
• •
..
4
Do. out of do. .
..
4
Pensioned
..
.. ..
..•
a..
13
Sick
leave..
..
. • • • • • • • . .
. .
16
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick.
All Deaths.
Pensioned.
Sick Leave
1872
.. Palaveram
..
..
89.80
3.63
1.21
2.88
2.88
..
1873 ..
.. Madras..
..
..
99.69
3.68
.73
.36
.98
1874 ..
..
Do.
.. ..
..
48.30
2.87
1.29
4.01
1.68
Average ..
79.26
3.39
1.07
2.41
1.84
1875 ..
.. Madras ..
..
..
66.81
2.75
1.12
1.96
2.24
Surgeon R. V. Power, B.A., M.D., was in medical charge during the year, and
reports as under : —
Climate of the station. —The climate was healthy during the year.
Ventilation and drainage for the men's huts .—The sepoys' huts have only been erected a few
years ago, and are, I believe, constructed according to regulations. The drainage in the lines is
good ; the drains are flushed. every morning and empty themselves into a main drain which runs
from west to east on the south side of the lines. From the latter a very unpleasant smell often
arises which cannot be prevented. No disease was, however, caused by this defect.
Water-supply.—The water-supply was obtained from tanks and wells ; it seemed to agree with
the men.
Diet. —Provisions were moderately cheap and plentiful. Vegetables were not very abundant.
The ,men were allowed rice-money every month.
Duty.—Average nights in bed per week 3.
Epidemic disease. —No disease prevailed as an epidemic.
Ventilation of the hospital. —The hospital was well ventilated. No recommendations were
made on the subject.
Overcrowding of hospital wards. —The wards were not overcrowded.
Hospital drainage and latrines .—The condition of the drainage was good. The latrine was
kept clean and free from unpleasant smells. The dry-earth system was carried out. Towards the
end of the year a room was obtained for keeping the dry earth.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. J. vanSomeren, M.D., inspected this corps on the 3rd
April 1876, and reports as follows :—
Lines .—I visited the lines early, and before the sweeping of the morning had been effected ;
consequently they were not as neat as they would otherwise have been. It is, however, clear that
attention is paid to their conservancy. In the neighbourhood of the dhobies' guard there was
less evidence of care than elsewhere, and I would recommend not only the clearing away of a great
deal of vegetable litter, but also, a more regular laying out of the ground, which would prove
advantageous. The lines otherwise continue the same as at last report.
Conservancy.—I am happy to state that the accumulation of rubbish alluded to in last report
near Cochrane's basin has been removed. The Officiating President of the Municipal Commission
last year urged that the accumulation in question had not been added to for months previous ; but,
Lines.
Conservancy.