18
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
for treatment, where he subsequently did well. Syphilis.—I am happy to notice only
2 cases under this head. The man who died of remittent fever was a Hindu.
11. Of 43 primary vaccinations 36 were successful, and of 141 re-vaccinations 62 were
successful.
12. The general health and physique of the men, after nearly 3 years' residence in
Aden, exposure to extreme heat during this period, absence of proper food, and prevalenc
- o f s c u r v y , w e r e v e r y m u c h b e l o w p a r i n h e a l t h , i n c a p a b l e o f e n d u r i n g f a t i g u e , a n d s u s
ceptible to sickness. The physique of the men has been very low ; but it is to be hoped
that, after a few years' residence in Belgaum, the men will regain their wonted vigour,
although, judging from the experiences of the 5th Regiment, it seems that it will take years
before the men become as strong as they were before going to Aden. It would be extremely
desirable in future to restrict the residence of a regiment in Aden to 18 months, or 2 years
at the utmost. Treatment of certain diseases by hypodermic injection has been tried during
the past few motnhs. (1) Morphia has been subcutaneously injected in chronic rheumatic and
neuralgic complaints with very good success. (2) Quinine dissolved in citric acid has also been
tried in doses of 2 to 5 grains by means of hypodermic injection in cases of inveterate ague,
enlargement of the spleen, and hepatic enlargement ; but the slough, by which the operation
was followed in every case at the point of insertion, has been the chief objection to its being
used so frequently as would be necessary to Produce satisfactory results.
13. To sum up all that has been said in the previous remarks.—The lines, owing to
their position in relation to the native town, the range of hills,
and their arrangements, are unhealthy in comparison with the
lines of the Sappers and Miners. It would have been more conducive to the health of the
men had they been built on a more open place like the neighbourhood of Khor Muksar,
where the Aden Troop is stationed. In order to ensure a more perfect system of conservancy,
the latrines ought to be so improved as to allow a complete separation of the fluid from the
solid excreta. Macnamara filters should be used in filtering the condensed water instead of
carbonate of iron, as at present ; and for the conveyance of the aqueduct water there should
be iron pipes laid, as the water at Shaik Othman appears to be drinkable, while after its pass
-age along the aqueduct it becomes very brackish. If scurvy is to be prevented, rations should
issued
ssued to the men once daily or every other day, instead of once a fortnight, when they have
a temptation to sell their rations and convert it into money ; also potatoes, tamarind, and limes
should be used alternately with country vegetables and cocum. The term of residence of a
regiment should be limited to 18 months, or 2 years at the utmost.
11.
14. The medical pupils have been instructed twice every week in materia medica,
physics, and elementary anatomy and surgery, including the application of splints and bandag
-ing.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL G. G. MAITLAND.
Notwithstanding the trying climate of Aden, with its scanty water-supply, the indifferent
rations procurable, unfavourable position of the men's lines, and the heavy duty which was
entailed upon them during the hottest months in the year, the general health of this corps
has been fair during the period under review. Malarious fever cannot be said to have been
prevalent, and the admissions from scurvy few compared with that of other Native regi
- m e n t s q u a r t e r e d a t A d e n f o r l o n g p e r i o d s . 3 y e a r s ' t o u r o f s e r v i c e a t A d e n i s t o o l o n g
for any Native regiment ; a residence of 18 months perhaps would be sufficient ; but no corps
ought to be kept there longer than 2 years—good drinking water and proper food being
essentially necessary for the sepoys, and without which his health and energy will soon suc
-cumb. I am of opinion that the regiment should be supplied with the best filters procurable ;
and as regards rations, potatoes, as suggested by Dr. Peters, ought to form a portion ; and to
prevent waste, and the pernicious practice complained, of sepoys selling the vegetables when
supplied to them in large quantities twice a month, they should be given out every other
day. When on my tour in December last, I inspected some of the men of this corps just
arrived from Aden, and in all a slight taint of scurvy was perceptible, though not sufficient
to prevent them performing their duty.
(In this report no mention of the numbers of treated, castes, &c., of the detachments at
Belgaum and Aden, stationed for 1 and 2 months respectively, is made.)
Out-post,Perim.
PERIM.—In medical charge of Assistant Apothecary J. WEBB ; Strength, 45.8.
1. The island is garrisoned by a detachment of 50 men furnished by the Native infantry
regiment stationed at Aden, and relieved periodically at the discretion of the Officer Com
- m a n d i n g A d e n B r i g a d e , g e n e r a l l y e v e r y t w o m o n t h s .
R e s u m é .