Conservancy
and Sanitary Arrangements.
Water.
52
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
having been quartered here for 2 years, during which time they appeared to recover from the
depressing effects of the climate of Baroda; for, whereas there were 259 admissions from a
strength of 147.7 in 1874, there were but 151 admissions from a strength of 137 in 1875.
11. The exercises and amusements consist of shooting, fishing, and hunting in large
parties, and wood-cutting, &c., in the distant jungles, all of which exercises they appeared
latterly much to appreciate and indulge in.
12. The only special treatment adopted, was that for ague with the sulphate of
cin-chonidine. The number of patients treated in 6 months was
34, the number successful was 21, unsuccessful 11, and doubtful
or unknown 2. It must be said the therapeutic value of this
drug as a medicine was not found to yield so satisfactory a result as that usually given by
the sulphate of quinine. It was generally found useful in very mild cases only.
13. The dispensary established in the petha as supplementary to the fort and garrison,
and raised to check in the petha the entrance of disease into the fort, especially that of an epi--
demic kind, has so far answered its purpose that, while small-pox and cholera prevailed in the
villages of the vicinity (the latter since April), not a case occurred in this cantonment; this
being due, no doubt, in some measure to the precautions adopted, to the early checking of
premonitory diarrhœa and bowel-complains, and the adequate provision of arm to arm vac-
-cination afforded by the constant presence of a hospital assistant on the spot and under
direct superintendence of the medical officer of the station.
14. The instruction of the medical pupil was particularly attended to. He is in
-structed daily in the general routine duties of the hospital.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL G. G. MAITLAND.
The site of hospital building is a good one. The accommodation, though limited, is
sufficient for the daily average sick of the garrison (5.5), but not for the sick of the petha
bazaar papulation, who living below and outside the fortress might be accommodated in the
dispensary; but why the sick of a bazaar should be treated in a military hospital, I do not
understand. At other staff hospitals only public followers are entitled to admission. The
present hospital is rather dark and insufficiently ventilated, and requires more doors and
windows to admit of a perfect perflation of air through the wards. The water-supply is, no
doubt, at times scarce, and for drinking purposes not so pure as it might be; but if filters
were supplied to the Native troops, this drawback would in a great measure be remedied.
H. M.'s 4th Rifles.
S A T A R A . — I n m e d i c a l c h a r g e o f S u r g e o n - M a j o r C . G . H . R o s s ; S t r e n g t h , 3 5 2 . 5 .
1. The head-quarters of the Rifles have been stationed at Satara during the year.
Detachments have, during the period under report, formed part
of the garrisons of Bombay and Asirgarh. With the view of
relieving the two companies at the latter place, a detachment
of similar strength, under a field officer, began its march on Asirgarh on the 12th November
viâ Poona, where it was detained for a few weeks. Asirgarh was finally reached on the
17th December 1875.
2. Latrines on the dry-earth system have been erected along the banks of a nullah
running into the Yena River, and the nuisance formerly com-
-plained of, abated if not abolished.
3. Water (sub-soil) is formed in camp at an average depth
of from 30 to 40 feet below the surface.
4. The temperature by self-registering thermometers had a somewhat greater range
this year than last; the average extremes for 1874 and 1875 are here shown:—
Temperature.
For the Year 1874.
For the Year 1875.
Maximum.
Minimum.
Maximum.
Minimum.
82.1
67.3
86.3
64.3
Treatment of Disease when
special.
Location and Movement of the
Rifles.