Mortality according to Race.
Influence of Rainfall.
86
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
12. There has been no particular sickness during the past year to be accounted for:
most of the fever cases appeared to be caused by atmospheric
variations, and were probably partly also due to malaria of local
origin. Small-pox was prevalent throughout the country at the time that the case occurred.
13. Remittent fever, due to local causes, caused 1 death. A second was caused by
disease, probably inherited; the 2 others due to liver disease,
probably of local origin.
Principal Causes of Sickness.
Principal Causes of Mortality.
14. The 4 fatal cases were Hindus.
15. The rainfall during the past year does not appear to
have influenced the health of the men.
16. Small-pox was epidemic throughout the country during the first 4 months
of the year: 2 cases only occurred in the lines, one a sepoy
the other a sepoy's wife. Hooping-cough was prevalent amongst
the children during April, May, and June, and some cases of remittent fever were met with
in the lines in June.
17. All recruits and families joining have been examined, and vaccination performed
in all doubtful cases: all infants have been vaccinated. The
result obtained has been as follows:—92 persons were re-vacci
-nated by 100 operations, of which 20 were successful and 80 unsuccessful. 82 persons were
vaccinated by 100 operations, of which 75 were successful and 25 unsuccessful. Amongst
the camp-followers 2 persons were re-vaccinated without success, and 5 were vaccinated by
7 operations, of which 4 were successful and 3 unsuccessful.
18. The general health of the men continues good; the physique of the majority is
of fair standard. Of the recruits who joined during the year
some were young and undeveloped, but they all looked likely
to turn out well
.
19. The regiment in its full strength has been stationed at Bhuj during the year.
The men appear to retain the good health they enjoyed on
arrival. Small-pox was epidemic throughout the country in
the early part of the year, but fortunately only 2 cases occurred in the lines. The scanty
rainfall this year caused a failure of the crops, but this has not as yet influenced the price
of provisions much, nor has it affected the water-supply. The lines are well situated and
open, and external ventilation is very free during the greater part of the year. The huts are
not of the best, but appear to answer well enough for the requirements of the climate. The
sanitary arrangements of camp are well attended to in all respects. The duties of the men
are light; there is a lack of occupation for their leisure hours which circumstances of locality
and climate render it difficult to supply. The death-rate has not been high, and the general
health of the regiment contrasts favourably with last year, when it was also good.
20. It is my custom to instruct the pupils three times a week on all the subjects com
-prehended in the half-yearly examination. The hospital assistants are also instructed and
examined as opportunities offer.
Observations on the Mean Level of the Sub-soil Water.
Locality or Designation
of Well.
Date and Hour of Measurement.
Sub-soil
Distance of
Water
below Surface
of Ground.
Rainfall from
Date of last
Measurement,
Feet in.
In. cts.
Hospital well
February 15th, 9 A. M. (not been drawn).
47 2
. . .
Do.
March " do. do.
47 2
0 47
Do.
April " do. do.
47 4
. . .
Do.
May " do. do.
47 6
. . .
Well on open plain set
apart for observation
for Sanitary Commis
-sioner.
June " do. do.
31 7
0
1
July 10th do. do.
31 6
3
15
August " do. do.
31 7
0 96
September " do. do.
31 8
0 68
This well is never used. October " do. do.
31 11
1
8
November " do. do.
32 1
. . .
December " do. do.
32 1
. . .
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
General Health and Physique of
the Men.
Resumé.