24
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
adjoining regimental lines. The water could be laid on in the lines occupied by the Grena
diers without difficulty, and at little expense, thus rendering these lines independent of the
wells now in use, one of which (No. 2) in the left wing has been reported by the Chemical
Analyser to contain traces of nitrites and an undue proportion of solid matter. The articles
of diet are abundant, and comparatively reasonable in price. The use of green vegetables to
a larger extent than at present obtains, would be highly advantageous, and I am of opinion
that encouragement should be given the sepoys to cultivate gardens, and thereby secure a
more constant supply.
4. The number of nights in bed has been nominally 3½. I believe the actual number
has been less than this, owing to the men who are told off for
regimental police and butt guards not being taken into account,
and every man on guard at the Yerauda Jail having to be on duty each night. Although the
duties have probably exercised no prejudicial effect upon men in good health, I believe many
of the weaker sepoys have suffered to a greater or less extent owing to the fatigue and
exposure thus entailed; many cases of the ordinary mild form of intermittent fever, together
with cases of diarrhœa and dysentery, having been admitted into hospital direct from such
guards, and which may fairly be attributed to that cause. A small proportion of the men
employed themselves in preparing articles for the "Annual Soldiers' Exhibition". With these
exceptions, amusement has been very limited.
5. The regiment, being under orders to proceed to Ahmedabad at the usual season of
the annual reliefs, left Poona by railway by detachments for
Surat, which they reached on the morning of the 22nd and 23rd.
The regiment then marched on Ahmedabad. The average length of each march was 12
miles. On the 31st December the regiment had reached Etola, within one march of Baroda.
The health of the regiment during the march was very good, about 16 being the average
n umber of sick, and these for the most part consisted of cases of shoe-bite, and contusion, and
other local injuries, caused by marching; the more serious cases being fever and bronchitis,
caused by the extremes of temperature increased by the exposure in tents.
6. The regimental hospital was nearly destroyed by fire on the night of the 1st
February. The sick were subsequently accommodated in the
separate ward situated in the hospital compound, supplemented
by an adjacent building formerly used as a baud-room; these afforded sufficient space with--
out overcrowding until the beginning of the monsoon, when the increasing number of patients
necessitated a removal to the barracks in the Depôt Lines, where four blocks of buildings were
allotted for that purpose. Two of these (each consisting of one large ward) were set apart
for the reception of the sick—one as a cook-room, and one as a separate ward for special cases.
A temporary latrine was constructed in a suitable position, there being no other available.
The accommodation thus afforded, proved ample for all purposes, and the buildings were used as
a hospital until the departure of the regiment from Poona, the permanent hospital not having
been repaired in time to allow of its re-occupation. The ventilation of the buildings above
described, was very good, and was provided for in one of the hospital buildings by doors and
windows, there being no roof-ventilation. In the other and larger ward, ventilation was
effected by means of doors and windows on each side, and a row of ventilators in the upper
part of the wall. No overcrowding has taken place. From the commencement of the monsoon
the supply of water has been derived exclusively from the Kharakwásla Canal: there being a
standard water-cock erected in the immediate neighbourhood of the Depôt Lines, permission
was obtained to draw water from it for hospital use. The supply thus obtained, has been good
and abundant.
7. The number of admissions has amounted to 779, showing an increase of 174 over the
previous year; this difference is nearly accounted for by the
excess of admissions from malarious fever, the number of cases
during the past year having amounted to 422 as contrasted with 274 in 1874. The cases have
been, with one exception, simple intermittent fever of a mild type. Cinchonidine has had a fair
trial. The minimum dose which I have found efficacious has been 10 grains given three times a
d a y ; l e s s t h a n t h a t q u a n t i t y , a f t e r f r e q u e n t t r i a l i n d i f f e r e n t c a s e s , I h a v e f o u n d t o b e i n e f f i c i e n t
to prevent a return of the febrile attack. In the more severe and obstinate cases I have found
it advisable to give quinine. The latter has been given both by mouth and hypodermically.
ln the latter method, 2 grains have been the ordinary dose, but my experience of it has not
been sufficient to enable me to draw any trustworthy conclusion as to the comparative effici
- e n c y o f t h e t w o m o d e s o f a d m i n i s t r a t i o n . 2 8 c a s e s o f d y s e n t e r y a n d 1 5 o f d i a r r h œ a h a v e b e e n
treated; these, almost without exception, have been of a mild form, and occasionally a conco
- m i t a n t o f f e v e r . 6 2 c a s e s o f c h r o n i c r h e u m a t i s m h a v e b e e n u n d e r t r e a t m e n t . I t i s n e e d l e s s
to say that the treatment of this disease in a Native regimental hospital is highly unsatisfac
-tory; this being one of the affections which is usually simulated by the sepoy when his stipu
-
Duties. &c.
Marches.
Hospital.
Sickness, Mortality, and Invaliding,