35
SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
Nuisance.—The two latrines used respectively for men and women are nothing more nor
portions of the maidan to the west of the lines enclosed within four walls. And owing to there
being no trenches or other receptacles, the excreta is deposited near the entrances, consequently at
night the men do not care to resort to them, and to a certain extent during the day. These defects
have been brought to the notice of the authorities, and although some months ago sanction for
new latrines on a. different principle was given, up to this nothing whatever has been done.
Water-supply.—Water for drinking and culinary purposes is obtained from three wells in the
lines or near to them. From seven other wells water is drawn for flushing the drains, &c. The
drinking water is of good quality and abundant throughout the year. No recommendations have
been made regarding the supply.
Diet. —Provisions throughout the year were on the whole dear, but plentiful. Compensation
has been given to the troops on account of the dearness of rice, &c.
Epidemic diseases.— The majority of admissions was as usual due to intermittent fever of a mild
type, which is endemic in this place. Cholera broke out in the lines on the 19th of June, and
two sepoys were attacked, and one of these died, the other making a good recovery. Of the
families two children contracted this disease and both proved fatal.
General conclusions.—During the year under review the regiment may be said to haw
enjoyed on the whole very fair health, and will compare favourably with the two preceding years
as regards admissions, but will show an increase in the death-rate. There were 464 admissio
n s f r o m a l l c a u s e s ; o f t h e s e 2 1 5 w e r e d u e t o i n t e r m i t t e n t f e v e r , w h i c h w a s , a s a r u l e , o f a m i l d t y p e
and with some few exceptions very amenable to treatment. General debility gives 26 ; however
the greater number of these were men who have since debility
pensioned or otherwise disposed of.
From bowel-complaints there were 34 admissions which were, as a rule, of a mild nature. There
were five deaths in hospital, one from erysipelas of the face which was due to a small irritable boi
l on the nose, one from cholera, two from ague, and one from disease of the heart. There wer
e four deaths out of hospital ; of these three had been sent to their native villages on sick leave, an
d t h e o t h e r w a s a s u d d e n d e a t h i n t h e l i n e s f r o m p e r i c a r d i t i s .
Cholera appeared in an epidemic form both in cantonment and city in the month of June
and was originally imported from Negapatam. Only a very few cases occurred in this regiment
and no doubt the cleanly and good sanitary condition of the lines prevented its spreading.
Nuisance.
Water-
supply.
Diet.
Epidemic
diseases.
General
conclusions.
2 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 .
STATION—PALAMCOTTAH.
Arrived from Secunderabad 5th February 1873.
Average strength
..
..
. . . .
. .
.
654
Do.
do. present ..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. . 568
.
. .
. .
. m i s s i o n s .
. .
. .
. .
292
Daily sick
. . . .
. .
. .
.. . .
. .
16
D e t h s i n h o s p i t a l
. . .
3
D o . o u t o f d o . .
. .
. .
. .
.
..
P e n s i o n e d
. .
. .
5
Sick leave
a
. 6 . . . . . . ..
2
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Rate per Cent. of
Stations.
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1872 ..
.. Secunderabad ..
..
50.78
2.14
1.97
. .
. 5 6
1873 . . ..
Palamcottah
..
..
121.31
3.09
.43
..
. 8 6
1874 . . ..
Do.
. .
. .
50.17
2.81
1.01
.86
1.01
Average ..
74.08
2.68
1.13
.28
. 8 1
1875 . . ..
Palamcottah
..
..
51.40
2.81
.45
.76
. 3 0