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A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
H. M.'s 2nd Company, Native Artillery.
ADEN.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major JOHN GRANT; Average Strength, 66.83.
1. No. 2 Company, Native Artillery, have not moved from Steamer Point, Aden, since
their arrival on the 2nd February 1874. The climate at Steamer Point is scarcely, if at all,
affected by the winds, which on passing the heated rocks at the camp is rendered very warm
and sometimes even close and stifling. It is thoroughly open, and exposed on all sides but
one to sea-breezes.
2. The sanitary and conservancy arrangements have been exactly the same as in 1874.
There has been no cause for any suggestions in this matter during the year.
3. The water supplied has been the same in quantity as last year, and obtained from
the same source. It has been good and free from all organic
impurities. No suggestions have been found necessary either
as regards quality or quantity. The ration has consisted of the same articles as last year.
The food has been reasonable in price and of good quality, and quite nutritious. The clothing
of the men has been the same as last year. They have always worn suitable clothing accord
-ing to the season of the year.
4. The duties have been—morning parade with evening roll-call, and fatigue duty as
occasion has required. They have always permitted 2 guards,
each consisting of a naique and 4 men, the quarter-guard
and magazine-guard. The latter one has had always one more man at night. The morning
and evening gun has always been fired by the Native Artillery. The duties have not in
any way exercised a prejudicial influence on the health of the men, or interfered with their
taking exercise as they pleased. The men have got a gymkhana; but, as a rule, they do not
seem to take advantage of it.
5. Exactly the same as last year, except that the walls to within a foot or so of the top
have a double layer of straw-matting, which effectually prevents
the wind from getting at the sick, which in the case of rheuma
-tism would prove most injurious. The ventilation is by opposite doors, two on each side
and one at each end of the building. There is also open cane-work at the top all round.
The ventilation is perfectly satisfactory. The ward has not been overcrowded at any time
during the past year. The accommodation for the sick is ample. The ward is intended to
hold 8 men. No suggestions of any kind necessary. The conservancy has been carried
out exactly the same as for 1874.
6. Whenever a man is admitted into hospital, the allowance of water which he gets
when in the lines is brought to hospital, viz., 3 gallons of condensed water and 2 of
brackish.
7. There has been so very little sickness in the company during the past year that no
remarks on the subject are necessary.
8. There has only been one death in hospital, of a man who had contracted phthisis
pulmonalis while on furlough. On his return the disease proved to be in an advanced stage.
He sank rapidly, and died after having been only 54 days in hospital. The disease in this
case was purely hereditary. The man who died out of hospital was shot dead by one of the
2nd Grenadiers N. I. while present at a marriage feast in the lines of that regiment. Both
of these men were Hindus.
9. So little rain falls at Aden that it in no way affects the health of the men.
10. All the children have been vaccinated, but in the case of one it failed. It has not
been found necessary to re-vaccinate any of the men.
11. The general health of the men for the past year has been remarkably good, and
the sanitary condition of the lines in every respect is all that can be desired.
H. M.'s No. 5th Company, Bombay Sappers and Miners.
ADEN.—In medical charge of Surgeon G. WATERS; Strength, 97.
Water, Food, and Clothing.
Duties, &c.
Hospital.
Location and Movement of
Corps.
1. The company has been stationed at Aden throughout
the year in lines situated in the western extremity of the Crater.