NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
79
Sickness, Mortality, and In
-validing.
8. The health of the men has been good; the number
of admissions, &c., are here shown:—
Admissions. Strength.
Average
Daily Sick.
Treated to
Strength.
Deaths to
Strength.
Deaths to
Treated.
1874
623
475
15·2
134·9
·63
·49
1875
550
551·2
15·9
102·7
1·6
1·9
There is a great diminution in the number treated for ague, 231 in 1875 as compared
with 341 in 1874: the cases were, most of them, slight but all typical. A great number of
those admitted, were men just returned from Barda Choki, these cases proving much more
obstinate than the others, and yielding but slowly to treatment. Rheumatism shows a
slight increase, there being 50 treated as against 45. Syphilis a decrease, there being
only 7 cases in 1875 to 16 in 1874. Scurvy 5, 1 of which proved fatal. Conjunctivitis 29
cases; all yielded readily to treatment; the cause was chiefly the glare and dust in the hot
months. Diseases of the respiratory system give a slight decrease, 23 to 29 in 1874
; of these, however, 3 proved fatal, 2 of which were cases of phthisis and 1 of pleurisy.
Dysentery 18 as against 20 in 1874; most of them were slight cases. Diarrhœa, 5 admissions
and 2 deaths, 1 of which was very rapid, and but for the absence of all cramps and
suppression of urine might have been mistaken for cholera. The other death was an old case
of chronic diarrhœa in which the man had suffered more or less for 8 months, but had not
presented himself for treatment until it was too late. Hypertrophy of the spleen gave
7 admissions—all men who had been on detachment duty at Barda Choki. Debility 10,
1 of which proved fatal, the heart on a post-mortem being found diseased. The mortality
has been high, 9 deaths during the year as compared with 3 in 1874. 1 man-while on guard
struck down with sun-stroke. 30 men were invalided, and 15 sent away on sick leave; of
these by far the larger number were men who had been on detachment duty at Dwárka
and Barda Choki. 3 men discharged by court-martial.
9. The principal cause of sickness and mortality in the regiment is the climate of Dwárka
and Barda Choki; that of the former place is deleterious
to the constitutions of those who are liable to any chest or
rheumatic affections, while that of the latter is almost certain so
to saturate the constitutions of those who are sent there with malaria that years must elapse
before they can regain their former tone and vigour. The mortality has been 8 Hindus
from the Konkan and 1 Mussulman from Hindustan.
10. The fall of rain has been very small, only 17. 86 inches below the average; the fall,
however, was so spread over the whole rainy season that no
climatic ill-effects have been felt. It is much to be dreaded
that want of water will be much felt during the present year; all the crops are moderately
plentiful, and there is no prospect of any great deficiency in that respect.
11. Though cholera has been to a slight extent prevalent throughout Kattywar, and
even in Rájkot itself, there have been no cases in the regiment
or even in camp limits.
12. Vaccination was practised on 44 persons.
Principal Causes of Sickness and
Mortality.
Influence of Rainfall.
Epidemics.
General Health and Physique
of the Men.
13. The general health of the men has been good, and
in physique they are slightly above the average of most
regiments.
14. The sulphate of cinchonidine has been tried during the year; the result cannot
be said to be satisfactory. In severe cases of ague it is absolutely useless, and in slight cases
a saline purgative and rest is quite as efficient.
14. The men of the regiment may be said to be in good health; the number treated has
been considerably less, but the mortality has increased, chiefly-
due to the ill-effects of the climate of Barda Choki. The
lines, hospital, and various sanitary arrangements are satisfactory.
15. The medical pupil received daily instruction, except at the time the musketry
Practice was going on, when he had to attend at the ranges.
Resumé.