132
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
which is within 30 yards of the hospital, is kept clean and neat. The water-supply of the
hospital is good and abundant from a well near the hospital.
7. There have been 829 admissions during the year, which show an increase of 202 over
Sickness and Mortality.
last year's. This ismainly due to fever. The number of cases
of ague in 1874 was 249, and this year 427 ; the cases were
mostly of the quotidian type, and generally uncomplicated, except in the months of N ovember
and December, when bronchitis and pneumonia were apt to supervene. Except in the ratio of
deaths to treated, this year's sickness contrasts badly with that of the last 2 years, as is seen
in the following table :—
1873.
1874.
1875.
Average strength ...
...
... ... ...
595
592
583.2
Total admissions ...
...
...
...
...
624
627
829
Admissions for ague
...
...
...
316
249
427
Ratio of admissions to strength
...
...
...
104.8
105.9
142.1
Do.
deaths to strength
...
...
...
1.8
2.5
2.2
Do.
deaths to treated
... ...
...
1 . 6
2.5
1.5
Average number of daily sick
...
...
...
16
2 0 .
25.9
All the cases returned to duty except 2, one of whom was invalided for enlarged spleen
and one had sick-leave granted him after being 2 months in hospital. Chest-affections include
47 cases—bronchitis 31 and pneumonia 16. Of the latter 5 died, the type of the disease being
essentially asthenic, requiring great stimulation, which failed in some cases. The great mor-
tality I consider is due to poor feeding, the debilitated constitution of the patient owing to
repeated attacks of fever, and the lateness at which they seek medical assistance. There
were 40 cases of diarrhœa, 5 cases of dysentery ; the dysentery cases were none of them
severe, and all recovered under the treatment of ipecacuanha followed by quinine and iron. A
case of peritonitis died 3 days after admission. Shoe-bites numerous, owing to the soldiers
being supplied with badly-fitting shoes. 4 cases of chancre, 1 of secondary syphilis : this
must not be taken as a gauge of the extent of the disease in the regiment, as many hide the
disease, and are treated by native doctors. 2 cases of punctured wound of chest and 1 of
punctured wound of back, all these the work of a comrade and made with a bayonet ; the
latter case died, the bayonet having passed in between the 10th and 11th ribs an inch and
half to right of spine, and making its exit to the right of the ensiform cartilage : pneumonia
supervened. There were 13 deaths in hospital, and one out ; the latter that of a subedar-major
who was shot on parade, and died before reaching the hospital. 5 cases of pneumonia proved
fatal, and the other deaths included 2 from œdema of lungs—one a patient who had aneurism
of aorta, and the other scurvy. One each from paralysis, splenitis, debility, ague, wound of
chest, and peritonitis. 50 cases were brought bofore the committee, and all passed except one.
The invalided men included 26 cases of debility, 8 chronic rheumatism, 5 defective vision,
6 enlarged spleen, 1 syphilitic ulcer, I deafness, 1 fracture, chronic bronchitis. This
return shows no improvement on last year, when the same number of men were invalided.
Causes of Sickness.
Conditions of climate under which the men live, and con-
stant employment under the same conditions without any change.
8. The return of this year disproves the statement made by my predecessor regarding
Mortality according to Race
the mortality among Hindus and Mussulmans ; he gives the
returns for 4 years, and I add to them that of this year :—
H I N D U S .
MUSSULMANS.
Strength.
Ratio Ad-
missions to
Strength.
Deaths
to
Strength.
Strength.
Ratio Ad-
missions to
Strength.
Deaths
to
Strength.
1871
...
...
...
...
341
140.5
3.5
358
157.3
3.3
1872
...
...
...
...
326
143.6
4.3
366
126.2
1.4
1873
...
...
... ...
232
129.3
2.6
356
93.5
1.2
1874
...
...
...
...
265
123.8
2.7
360
83.3
2.2
1875
...
...
...
...
249.1
118. 5
1.1
334.1
161.1
3.08
Rainfall.
9. Total for year 2 inches 83 cents : little influence on disease.