A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
length of time, and are less objectionable in this respect than the old style of latrine.
The arrangements in private compounds are the same as last year, and conservancy has been
wel l at t ended t o. Ther e was ver y l i t t l e gr owt h of veget at i on t hi s year cons equent on t he
scanty rainfall. The growth of trees is being attended to, but it is very up-hill work con
-sequent on peculiarities of soil and atmosphere, and for lack of funds: the young trees
make very slow progress under hand-watering, especially with a scanty rainfall, rocky or
sandy soil, strong winds which prevail during a considerable portion of the year almost
smothering some of them in sand-drifts, and the ravages of white ants; all these tend to
thwart their growth.
5. The water has been good, and the supply ample during the year, but scarcity is
anticipated next hot weather. The wells are uncovered, and,
therefore, exposed to some debris being blown in during the
prevalence of high winds; but the contamination from this source is found in practice to
be very slight. There are no other local sources of contamination, most of the wells standing
out on an open plain. The local supply of grain food, at all times deficient, has been more
so than usual this year, the crops having almost failed owing to the scanty rainfall. Prices
rose in consequence in August and September; but ample supplies having come in from Sind
and Guzerat, they have again fallen to about their former level: a rise is, however, expected
soon. The quality of the grain has been good. The average amount of grain compensation
for the last 12 months has been Rs. 3-15-4, against Rs. 3-14-5 in 1874. The supply of vege
-tables is at all times limited, and there is but little variety; fresh fruits are obtainable at
times, but with the exception of limes, which are tolerably plentiful in the hot weather,
not cheap enough to be used by the men. No change has been made in the clothing;
there has not been sufficient marching to show out any defect in the boot.
6. The duties of the men have been light, not sufficient to harass them in any way. The
average number of nights in bed has been 7.84. The gym
-nasium has not been much frequented during the year; there
is no inducement, such as competition with other regiments or gaining prizes, sufficient, ap
-parently, to stimulate the men to engage in athletic sports. They have no occupation
beyond their duties, except occasionally when repairing their lines, or on fatigue duty, re
-pairing butts, &c. There is not sufficient inducement for any of them to practise any trade.
84
Water, Food, and Clothing.
Duties, &c.
Marches.
7. There were a few short route-marching parades at
the beginning of the year; there is nothing special to note
about them.
8. The hospital, a fine, airy building with a double-tiled roof and roof-ventilators
on a high plinth, stands isolated; its frontage is free and open
to the west. The out-houses at the rear are at a distance of
50 paces; it is sheltered from N. and E. winds by a hill at the back. The floor is of beaten
earth, which is cow-dunged from two to four times a month. Ventilation is amply pro
-vided for, and there has been no over-crowding. The building affords accommodation for 32
patients; it has been thoroughly repaired during the year. No alterations have been made.
One of the sweepers attached to the hospital is always present for conservancy duty; the
arrangements are the same as last year. There are 2 bheesties attached to the hospital.
The water of the hospital well, situated 120 paces to the rear, is used only for purposes of
ablution. Water for other purposes is brought from a well about ¾ of a mile distant; the
water stands about 48 feet from the surface, and there is a depth of 11 feet at present.
9. During the past year 332 cases have been treated in hospital against 377 in 1874.
18 of these remained from the previous year, and 314 were
fresh admissions; of these 299 were discharged to duty, 4
died, 7 were sent before the invaliding committee, 8 were
transferred under other headings of disease, and 14 remained at the end of the year. The
average daily sick was 16.1, against 14 last year. The precentage of treated to strength
was 49.48, of deaths to strength 0.6, and deaths to treated 1.21; against 56.4, 0.7, and 1.3.
The percentage of daily average of sick to strength was 2.4 against 2.1. One case of small
pox was under treatment in April; the man bore marks of vaccination: the eruption was
pretty copious, but the symptoms all mild. Fever gave 81 admissions, of which 53 are
entered as febricula, 25 ague, and 3 remittent fever, being a percentage of 12, against
112 admissions, or 16 per cent., last year. The cases of remittent fever were all severe, 1
died, and 1 was sent away on sick leave. The cases of ague were mostly mild, uncomplicated,
and amenable to treatment by quinine, cinchonidine, and arsenic. The cases entered as
febricula were those in which there was no distinct second paroxysm, but as quinine was given
in most of them the disease may possibly have been cut short. Of the 81 cases 9 were re
- a d m i s s i o n s . R h e u m a t i c a f f e c t i o n s g a v e 8 a d m i s s i o n s , o r 1 . 2 p e r c e n t . , a g a i n s t 2 2 , o r 3 . 3 p e r
cent., last year. Syphilitic 14 admissions, 10 primary and 4 secondary. Gonorrhœa I, being
15 admissions iu all, or 2.2 per cent., against 8, or 1.5 per cent., last year. One man was thrice
Hospital.
Sickness, Mortality, and Inva
-liding.