103
BRITISH BURMAH DIVISION.
There has always been a great deal of malingering in Burmah, and Dr. McDermott, in charge
of the head-quarter wing of the 15th M.N.I. at Moulmein, has given a very exact account of its
causes. It will always exist as long as the present arrangements continue, and until the men are
allowed to bring their families with them, in which case they would, in my opinion, be content to
remain five or six years instead of three as at present. During my visit to Thayetmyo I had to
call attention to the overcrowding of some of the blocks of buildings occupied by the 6th N.I.,
and also of the hospital, and suggested a simple arrangement for the relief of the latter. I have
not heard if anything has been done in consequence.
Some ground in the vicinity of the quarters occupied by the Ordnance Serjeants and Conduc-
tors at Rangoon being in a swampy condition, was brought to the notice of the General Commanding,
and has since been drained. The quarters themselves are particularly unhealthy, especially during
the rains, and require entire reconstruction.
4 t h R e g i m e n t N a t i v e I n f a n t r y .
LEFT WING—STATION—RANGOON.
Arrived from Bellary and Palaveram on the 8th April 1875.
Average strength • •
Do.
do.
present
• 0
..
• •
..
•1i
. .
..
110
..
• 4
•
..
..
•
. .
..
356
352
Admissions ..
..
Ile
• •
..
• .
..
..
268
Daily sick
..
• •
• •
• .
• .
• •
• •
• •
..
..
12
Deaths in hospital ..
fO
••
••
..
..
• .
..
..
. .
Do. out of do.
•.
..
• .
..
• .
• .
..
..
2
Pensioned •4
..
••
..
••
••
..
..
..
..
..
Sick leave ..
..
441
..
..
..
• •
..
..
• •
..
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years:—
Years .
Stations .
R a t e p e r C e n t . o f
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1872 • .
.. Bellary ..
..
..
4 7 . 2 6
2-25
• 76
3.65
1.52
1873 ..
..
Do.
..
..
..
4 8 . 9 7
2.04
.72
1 . 4 4
1.88
1874 ..
.. Palasamudram ..
• .
47.34
1.66
-71
•71
2.43
Average ..
47.85
1.98
.73
1.93
1.94
1875 ..
.. Rangoon
..
..
76.13
3.40
• 56
• •
Surgeon P. Thompson was .in medical charge of the left wing of this corps
during the year, and reports as follows
:—
Climate of the station.—The hot weather in Rangoon commences in March and lasts to the Climate of
middle of May, when the south-west monsoon sets in and extends to the end of October.
the station.
If the regiment has been on ship-board.—The wing left Palaveram on the 24th of March, If the regi-
ship
arrived in Madras the same day, encamping there for one night, and embarked the following b
morning for Rangoon, which was reached on the 9th of April 1875.
board.
Ventilation and drainage for the men's barrack-rooms, huts, guard-rooms, &c.— The ventilation Ventilation
and drainage
and drainage for the men's barrack-rooms, huts, guard-rooms, &c., have been sufficient to preserve for the men s
the air pure. The drainage, though natural, seems to answer every purpose.
barrack
rooms, &c.
Barrack-rooms.— The barracks are wooden buildings raised 8 feet from the ground. The Barrack-
walls and ceilings are not limewashed, but earth-oiled twice a year.
rooms.
Water-supply.—The water-supply is from two wells close to the barracks, and is good in Water-
quality. During part of November and the whole of December and, I believe, for a month before supply.
the rains, these wells are dry, but an ample supply is drawn from two wells not many yards
distant, near the barracks occupied by the 39th M.N.I., which is good in quality.