Vaccinati o
n
Epidemic
diseases.
Ventilation of
the hospital.
Hospital
drainage.
Hospital
water-supp
ly.
General
conclusions
69
MYSORE DIVISION.
Surgeon H. M. G. Archdall was in medical charge of this corps during the
year, and reports as under :—
Climate of the station. —The climate during the year has been remarkable for a deficiency in
the rainfall and a long continuance of severe westerly winds. The thermometer has also shown
a higher degree of temperature than usual. The number of cases of ague treated have been exactly
double that of 1874, due in a great measure, no doubt, to the sudden changes of temperature.
Sketch of the natural ,features of the district.-The station of French Rocks, situated in a village
on the Mysore plateau, is surrounded by hills, some of them 250 or 300 feet high. The hills are
principally of granite trap formation, in places in a state of disintegration: except in the valleys,
the soil is gravelly and unfit for cultivation. No marshes or rank vegetation in the neighbour-
hood of station. Water-supply good, from wells and tanks. Rice, sugarcane, and most of the
dry grains grown in the district.
Diseases of the district.—Fevers of a malarious character and rheumatism, principally chronic,
are what are usually met with. No other class of disease is prevalent in the district.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts.—The ventilation in barracks and guard-room is
sufficient to ensure the air being pure. The huts are ventilated altogether, I may say, by means
of the doorways; however, they are amply ventilated for a cold station, and I can answer from
experience that they are sometimes bitterly cold in the early morning. The drainage, as mentioned
in my last annual report, is defective. V-shaped masonry drains are wanted, not alone in
the lines, but all through the cantonment. This matter has frequently been brought forward,
but without any result.
Climate of
the station.
Sketch of
the natural
features of
the district.
Diseases of
the district.
Ventilation
and dr ai nage
of the men' s
huts.
Water-supply.—The water-supply has been ample and sufficient, though somewhat less in
amount than in 1874 ; the quality is excellent, &c., procured from wells and tanks.
Sanitary arrangements. —The sanitary arrangements have on the whole been properly
attended to. I am not aware of any local causes of disease requiring removal.
Water-
supply.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.—Provisions have been moderate in price (except during the past fortnight, when prices
have gone up a little). The supply of vegetables has been abundant. No compensation on
account of dearness of provisions. The men diet themselves. There is no doubt that in many
cases, owing to the number of followers, &c., the sepoys are unable to procure either a sufficiently
varied or nutritive dieting.
Drill.—The drill heretofore in the cold season took place between 5-45 and 8 A.M.; but, owing
to the number of cases of fever occurring during the past month, I recommended that the hours
should be changed, and the drill now takes place between 6-30 and 8 A.M. In the hot season the
drill is between 5-15 and 7 A.M.; during a portion of the year there is also evening drill, which
lasts for a short time and begins at 5 P.M. The influence of the several drills on health has on
the whole been beneficial.
Vaccination .—Vaccination is properly kept up in the regiment. No cases of small-pox
treated during the year.
Epidemic diseases. —No epidemic during the year. As mentioned before, the number of fever
cases doubled that of 1874. Cholera in an epidemic form visited the town of Mysore (16 miles
distant) during the latter half of the year. When I heard of it I suggested to the Officer
Com-manding the "Rocks" the advisability of establishing a strict system of quarantine, and whether
owing to this or no I cannot, of course, say, but the French Rocks is almost the only place in the
Mysore District which escaped the late epidemic.
Ventilation of the hospital.—The hospital is ventilated by means of doors, windows, and roof
ventilators; from the numbers of doors and windows the building is, particularly at this season of
the year, rather draughty, and I am obliged to keep some of the doors and windows closed.
Hospital drainage .—The drainage for storm water is altogether natural. The refuse water
from bath-room is carried off by a small open masonry drain into a nullah outside the hospital
compound wall. The dry-earth system of conservancy efficiently carried out.
Hospital water-supply. —Water-supply ample and sufficient, procured from a well on parade
ground.
General conclusions. —The regiment and station have been fairly healthy during the past year,
though the season has not been very favourable to health. The number of admissions is in excess
of 1874, viz ., 209, including 17 in the detachment hospital, having been admitted during that year,
whilst 313, including 29 detachment hospital, have been treated in the past twelve months. Six
deaths, besides one in Mysore, occurred during the year 1875, whereas only two are recorded in
1874.
Diet.
Drill.
Deputy Surgeon-General George Smith, M.D., inspected this corps on the 19th
April 1876, and reports as follows:—
Lines .—The lines are very clean, and the houses look clean and well conserved. The huts are
on t he s t andar d pl an; t hey ar e bui l t of mud wi t h t i l ed r oof s , t he r i dges bei ng s ecur ed wi t h
chunam. The loose tiling secures good. ventilation. There are no windows or ventilators. The
arrangements for ablution and for domestic privies are, as usually noted in regimental lines, that
18
Lines.