Influence of Rainfall.
Epidemics.
General Health and Physique
of the Men.
Special Observations.
13
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
2. No exception is taken to the lines as regards available space, bazaar, neighbouring
villages, drainage, and tanks ; but strong objections may be
taken to the nature of the quarters which immediately after a fall
of rain—a very unusual oocurrence at Aden—were found to be small, smoky, badly-ventilated
unsubstantial, leaky, dark, and destitute of all comfort, especially the quarters occupied by
the married men of the company.
3. A sufficiency of condensed water for drinking and culinary purposes is supplied for
ablution; it is drawn from a well close to the lines. The rations
are ample in quantity and of fairly satisfactory quality. The
company is clothed like Native regiments for all parades and drills ; but, at work, dark, blue,
loose-fitting cotton clothes are worn : both descriptions of clothing give satisfaction to all
concerned.
4. Guard and orderly duties, but in addition they have been engaged during a great
portion of the year in blasting operations. Judging by the
small daily average number of sick, viz., 1.57, the occupations
do not appear to have in any way injuriously affected the health of the men, although the ad-
missions to hospital have been undoubtedly increased by accidents whilst at work, resulting,
however, in nothing more serious than contusions and ulcers. The men of the company
do not engage in amusement or occupations when off duty.
Lines.
Water, Food, and Clothing.
Duties.
Hospital and its Surroundings.
5. The company has no hospital buildings of its own, the
sick being treated in the regimental hospital of the Native
corps stationed at Aden.
6. Out of a total strength of 97, 46 only, or 47.42 per cent. to strength, have come
under treatment during the year, which must be considered
very favourable, bearing in mind that the admission list has
been swelled by slight injuries whilst at work. There was no
mortality during the year ; 4 men were invalided.
7. Ague gives the greater number of admissions to hospital. Next in order of frequency
come diseases of the cutaneous system, then injuries of the
upper and lower extremities. Although scurvy gave no ad
-missions, the company has not been entirely free of it ; as many as 21.27 to strength were
found affected in the months of July, August, September, and October. In no case was
admission to hospital found necessary, but the men were sent there every morning, and lime
-juice mixture was administered to them. There were 20 cases in all—11 who were either not
married or had not their families with them, and 9 family men. The percentage of single to
married is as 25 to 18, and the greater freedom from scurvy enjoyed by family men goes to
disprove the general notion that they suffer more from this disease than single men, who are
supposed to be better off for rations, having no one to share with.
Sickness, Mortality, and In
-validing.
Principal Causes of Sickness.
8. The few showers of rain which fell towards the end
of the year have not been immediately productive of an in
-crease of ague.
9. Small-pox was present in the native town, but not to
any extent, and the disease did not spread to the garrison.
10. 12 children under 1 year of age have been vaccinated and one above that age ;
11 of the operations were successful, and 2 were doubtful.
No re-vaccinations were effected.
Vaccination and Re-vaccination
.
11. The general health of the company has been good,
and in point of physique the men are said to compare favourably
with other Native troops.
12. I strongly recommend that the company be provided
with better quarters.
13. The strength of the company during the year was 97, and the percentage of treated
to strength, inclusive of re-admissions, is 47.42; excluding re
-admissions, the percentage of the treated falls as low as 42.2.
The average number of daily sick is very small, viz., 1.57, and this notwithstanding that the
men appear to have been rather hard-worked, having had only four consecutive nights in bed
during the year. The clothing, sanitation, water-supply, and rations—all give satisfaction,
and the duties of the company do not appear to have exerted any prejudicial effects on the
health of the men.
B
6 6 —
d
Resumé of the whole.