Sanitary
condition.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
Barracks.
Principal
diseases.
110
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Nicobars and Aberdeen. The only death from disease was one from dysentery contracted at
Aberdeen. The average daily sick for the whole station during the year was 22.31.
Deputy Surgeon-General P. G. FitzGerald, M.D., inspected this wing of the
regiment on the 13th December 1875, and reports as follows :—
Barracks.—There were seven barracks, all wooden buildings, well raised from the ground,
occupied during the year by the detachments of the 15th Regiment M.N.I., viz., three in Ross
Island, one Aberdeen, one Navy Bay, and two at Viper Island. As the steamer which took me to
Port Blair only arrived on Sunday at 10 A.M. and left again next day at 5 A.M., I was only
enabled to make a personal inspection of the buildings in Ross Island.
Sanitary condition.— Dry earth and coal tar are used liberally. The sanitary condition of the
guard and cook-rooms is good.
Conservancy.— The conservancy of the island is carried out efficiently by the convict depart-
ment. No suggestions have been made for its improvement.
Hospital.—The hospital in Ross Island is a teak building raised 6 feet 9 inches from the
ground on piles, and is situated on the crest of the hill in the immediate vicinity of the barracks,
and is about 100 feet above the sea. The hospital and its vicinity are kept very clean ; the
drainage is excellent, both natural and artificial ; the ventilation is good, by doors and windows, as
well as by ridge and eave ventilators.
Principal diseases.— Ague and itch appear to have been the principal forms of sickness
prevailing in the detachment. The former prevailed principally among the men stationed at
the Nicobars and at Aberdeen. The medical officer addressee the officer commanding the troops at
the Andamans and recommended, that the detachments at both places should be relieved once a
month instead of once a quarter as before. The Chief Commissioner declined to sanction the
proposal respecting the Nicobar detachment, but that at Aberdeen has since been relieved every
month to the great reduction of sickness in this detachment.
17th Regiment Hatibe Infantrg.
STATION—TONGHOO.
Arrived from Madras on the 6th March 1875.
Average strength
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 679
Do.
do.
present.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
511
Admissions
..
..
..
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
..
.
722
Daily sick
.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28
Deaths in hospital .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
13
Do.
out of do.
..
..
..
.. ..
..
..
..
. .
9
Pensioned
..
..
.. .. .. .. ..
..
.
4
Sick leave
..
..
..
.. ..
..
..
..
..
..
23
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Stati ons .
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths.
Pensioned.
Sick Leave.
1872 ..
..
1873 .. ..
1874 ..
..
1875 ..
..
Madras ..
..
. .
D o . . . . . . .
D o . . . . . . .
A v e r a g e . .
•
..
Tonghoo
..
..
1 7 1 . 4 4
69.59
46.06
3.37
1.87
1.82
.42
. 2 8
. 2 7
. .
. 9 9
2 . 5 1
. 1 4
. 5 6
1.95
9 5 . 6 9
2.38
-
. 3 2
1 . 1 6
_
. 8 8
141.29
5.47
3.24
. 5 8
3.38
The following medical officers have been in charge during the year :—
Surgeon A. H. Leapingwell.
Do. T. C. H. Spencer.