Ventilation of
the hospital.
Hospital
drainage and
latrines.
Hospital
W at er-supply.
General
conclusions.
76
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Medical
topography.
Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts.
Water
-supply.
soil is covered with stunted shrubs of the Cassia auriculata and wild date, and here and there the
baubul tree (Acacia Arabica). Prickly-pear and aloes are abundant. The other trees that only
can flourish are Capparis horrida, Balanites Ægyptica, Zizyphus jujuba, Ficus benghalensis, Bignonia
suberosa, Tamarindus Indicus, Cassia fistula, Cassia Roxburghia, Cathartocarpus Indica, Feronia
elephantum, Azadiracta Indica.
Vegetables are scarce on account partly of the difficulty of obtaining water free from salts, and
the cultivation of garden flowers is for a similar reason most difficult Dry cultivation in the district
is almost the only practicable method in consequence of the absence of tanks. Cholum is princi
-pally cultivated. The black soil produces cotton in great abundance. Sheep, goats, and cows are
numerous. The jackal and fox are the only wild animals to be found in this vicinity.
Medical topography.—The station is situated in latitude about 15° north, longitude about 75°e
ast; is almost equidistant from the eastern and western coasts of the peninsula, so that, though it
does not receive the full force of either monsoon, it benefits by both; and this combination of
circumstances, albeit yielding a too small rainfall, contributes to the healthiness of the climate,
being dry and uniform, and the country free from swamps, exuberant vegetation, or the imperfect
soil drainage which may result from wet cultivation. A westerly wind blows continually during
the south-west monsoon months, which are always cool, coming as they do from regions where rain
prevails, and the same advantage is enjoyed when they veer to the east. Intermittent fever of
generally a mild type is prevalent all through the year, particularly at the outbreak of the south
-west and north-east monsoons. Ophthalmia (country sore-eyes) is liable to attack children; it is
attributed to the dryness of the atmosphere and excessive glare reflected from the masses of rock,
and the surface of the ground being studded with sparkling crystals of mica and quartz. Dysentery
prevails in a moderate degree in the rains. Guinea-worm and fungous foot are common in the
cotton-soil districts. Leprosy and elephantiasis are rarely met with. Other skin diseases are not
particularly common.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts .—The means of ventilation which the huts enjoy is
quite inadequate to the maintenance of pure air. The guard-rooms are sufficiently well ventilated.
The drainage of the lines consists of surface channels along the sides of the streets, with which a
small nullah from the private latrine of each compound communicates. This arrangement is
tolerably satisfactory, being favoured by the dryness of the climate in conjunction with the porous
nature of the soil which is composed of gravel consisting of felspar, quartz, and mica, the debris of
the subjacent stratum of gneiss rock.
Water-supply .—The water-supply has been sufficient in quantity, and I have not noticed, nor
have I heard any complaints in regard to deterioration in its quality. The tank adjoining the
lines, which seems to be the favourite drinking-water, is filled from the Alipore tank in the hot
season by an intercommunicating nullah. A well convenient to the hospital is also much used,
and has always been able to meet the demands upon it.
Diet.
If dieting of
the troops
has been
sufficiently
nutritive and
varied.
Clothing.
Epidemic
diseases.
Diet.—There has been no dearth of provisions, but prices were somewhat high. The men
have received compensation for the dearness of rice; vegetables are not abundant, and are therefore
dear at this station.
If dieting of the troops has been sufficiently nutritive and varied .—As the men provide their own
food, it would be impossible to obtain a correct knowledge of its quality, variety, or nutritive
properties; but the cases of emaciation and debility which not rarely come under my observation
would seem to be intimately connected, if not actually caused, by want of sufficient or proper
nourishment, occasioned, I presume, by the private's pay being inadequate to the necessities of a too
numerous household.
Clothing.—On the 19th June cold high winds began to prevail and increased the sick list, as
well as aggravated the ordinary complaints. I thereupon recommended the wearing of cloth
uniform for night guards and morning parades, in which the commandant acquiescing, the benefit
derived from the change soon became evident by the decreasing sick list.
Epidemic diseases .—On the 27th July last a woman and child entered the lines having
travelled from their native village through districts infected with cholera, and both died on the
evening of the 29th of cholera. All available precautions were then taken. I obtained the
sanction of the commandant to compel all individuals who had travelled through infected districts
to remain in tents pitched for this special purpose outside the lines for seven days as a precaution
against introducing the disease. The plan worked well, and no other case of cholera occurred in
the regiment. The disease was prevalent in the native town and country villages in the
neighbourhood.
Ventilation of the hospital.—The hospital is thoroughly ventilated.
Hospital drainage and latrines .—Dry earth is used in the hospital latrine, and the excreta has
been regularly removed. The general condition is fairly satisfactory. There is no system of
drains in connexion with the hospital. No representations regarding defects were necessary.
Hospital water-supply .—The water-supply has been sufficient and in all respects satisfactory.
General conclusions .—Looking over the diseases, and the number of admissions for each,
which occurred since the arrival of the first wing of the regiment at this station in March last,
ague appears to be the principal complaint to which is chargeable the non-efficiency of men. An
increase of about double the usual number of sick, fer it is observed at two periods, first in June and