26
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
attributable to the following causes :—1st, a residence in Bhuj of three years, during which the
regiment suffered severely from fever ; a subsequent removal to Aden, where the regiment was
stationed for a period of two years, during which scurvy was very prevalent amongst the
men ; from Aden the corps was sent to Belgaum, which in all probability would have exerted
a favourable influence upon the exhausted constitutions of the sepoys, had not the fatigue
and exposure entailed by line-building counteracted the good effect of the climate. Conse
- q u e n t l y , w h e n t h e r e g i m e n t w a s r e m o v e d f r o m B e l g a u m t o P o o n a i n 1 8 7 1 , t h e m e n w e r e n o t i n
a condition to undergo the fatigue entailed by the many guard and other duties which they
have had to perform during the four years they have been quartered at that station. Super
-added to the causes I have above enumerated, is another which, in my opinion, is a most im
-portant factor in conducing to this weak state and want of physique—I allude to the discre
- p a n c y t h a t e x i s t s b e t w e e n t h e p a y o f t h e s e p o y a n d t h e c u r r e n t p r i c e s t o w h i c h a l l a r t i c l e s o f
food and consumption have risen since the pay was fixed at its present rate. During the last
thirty years prices have increased to the extent of at least 50 per cent., but the sepoy's pay re
- m a i n s t h e s a m e a s i t w a s t h e n . I t i s , t h e r e f o r e , n o t a m a t t e r o f s u r p r i s e t h a t t h e s e p o y , b e i n g
now unable to purchase at the former rates, is compelled to buy cheaper and less nourishing
food, or to eat a less quantity of that to which he has been accustomed ; this is more particu
- l a r l y t h e c a s e w i t h m e n h a v i n g l a r g e f a m i l i e s o r a n u m b e r o f p o o r r e l a t i o n s t o s u p p o r t , a n d t o
this cause I believe may be attributed much of the deterioration to which I refer. Line-build
- i n g , w h i c h u n d e r f a v o u r a b l e c i r c u m s t a n c e s s h o u l d b e a n e l e m e n t o f h e a l t h , a n d c o n d u c e t o t h e
physique of the sepoy, is under present circumstances an active agent in producing the oppo
-site effect. Increased labour and exposure require at all times an increase of food, and, un
- l e s s t h i s c a n b e o b t a i n e d , t h e r e s u l t i s t o w e a k e n a n d e n f e e b l e t h e f r a m e . E x t r a o r w o r k i n g
pay should, therefore, in my opinion, be given in all cases where line-building is carried on, to
enable the men to purchase a sufficiency of good and nourishing food to supply the loss which
is created by the nature and amount of extra work which they are called upon to perform.
14. Care has been taken during the year to impart instruction to the medical subordi
- n a t e s , c h i e f l y b y p r a c t i c a l t e a c h i n g i n h o s p i t a l , t h e k e e p i n g o f c a s e s , a p p l i c a t i o n s o f b a n d a g e s ,
and the treatment of ordinary diseases. The medical pupil has been regularly instructed in
English three times a week, also in elementary anatomy and the uses and doses of medicines.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
The regiment was stationed at Poona till towards the close of December, and practically
only entered the Northern Division on 1st January, the date of arrival at Baroda.
Health was fairly satisfactory, but less so than in previous year.
Owing to the hospital having been destroyed by fire on 1st February, the accommoda
- t i o n f o r s i c k w a s o f a p r o v i s i o n a l c h a r a c t e r ; b u t i t i s n o t e d b y t h e m e d i c a l o f f i c e r t h a t t h e r e
was ample room throughout, with a cubage of 1,252 feet for each patient. Vaccination was car
- r i e d o u t s y s t e m a t i c a l l y .
H. M.'s 8th Regiment N. I.
POONA.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major E. SEXTON, M.D.; Strength, 690.
Location and Movement of
Corps.
1. The regiment was employed in the construction of
new lines during the whole year.
2. The Kharakwásla water-works are being gradually extended, and a new reservoir,
now in course of construction near the Wanowri barracks, will, it is supposed, supply the whole
of the southern end of the cantonment. No improvement has taken place in this respect ;
several open sewers in the Sudder Bazaar constitute a dangerous and most offensive nuisance.
A case of typhoid fever which occurred in the neighbourhood, was distinctly traceable to this
cause. The condition of the Mussulman and Portuguese cemeteries on the Sachapeer road
r e m a i n s e x a c t l y a s d e s c r i b e d i n m y r e p o r t f o r l a s t y e a r .
3. New lines are being constructed on the western edge of the elevated plateau
forming the military parade-ground ; the works are being
rapidly pushed forward, and it is hoped that buildings sufficient
to accommodate five companies will be finished by next rains. They, being situated on an
elevated ridge, will be better ventilated than those now occupied by the regiment. This is
well looked after, and no complaints have been made with reference to its administration.
There are no villages in proximity to the new lines or to those now in occupation. The new
lines are well raised, and the ground to the westward, sloping away to a pretty deep nullah,
favours the natural drainage, which, so far as I can see, will be all that can be desired.
Lines.