Climate of the
station.
Diseases of
the district.
Ventilation
and drainage
for the men's
huts and
guard-room.
Nuisance.
MYSORE DIVISION.
63
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
Stations.
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
Average Strength .
Admissions.
Daily Sick. All Deaths.
Pensioned.
Sick Leave.
1872 ..
.. Bangalore
..
..
151.42
3.67
1.02
4.26
2.20
1873 ..
..
Do. ..
..
..
7 7 . 6 3
2.30
1.69
2.77
1.23
1874 ..
..
Do. ..
. . ..
59.18
1.95
. 8 5
4.43
2.00
Average ..
96.07
2.64
1.18
3.82
1.81
1875 ..
.. Bangalore
..
..
78.58
3.22
.15
4.36
0.30
Surgeon-Major W. H. Morgan was in medical charge of this corps during the
year, and reports as under :—
Climate of the station.— The health of the regiment is undermined from fevers contracted in
the lines, but it would not be right, however, to ascribe disease to climate alone, since men exposed
to the conditions detailed hereafter will necessarily fall sick.
Diseases of the district.—The diseases most prevalent were, in the order of frequency, fevers
202 (ague 160, febricula 41, simple continued fever 1), skin diseases 44, and rheumatism 41.
Pulmonary complaints were comparatively rare, and admissions from minor injuries, such as blistered
feet. &c.. were frequent.
Ventilation and drainage for the men's huts and guard-room.— The quarter-guard room is venti-
lated by two doors and three windows ; it is much too small for the number of men occupying it,
viz., 13 men who have about 25 . 7 superficial space per man. Several of the guard sleep on the
verandahs of the place-of-arms, and are exposed to chills which produce sickness, e.g., colds, fevers,
bronchitis, pneumonia, rheumatism, &c.
Nuisance.— The drains throughout the lines are objectionable ; they are open ditches cut or
worn in the soil, into which there is a constant flow of wash from the huts. Though cleaned out
daily, there is stagnation at various points and percolation into the subsoil. The domestic privies,
from defective construction, are a standing nuisance. All these defects are pointed out in periodical
reports, but they are allowed to go drifting on.
Water-
supply.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Water-supply.— Water is obtained from some wells and a reservoir near Miller's tank. It has
been sufficient, and though pronounced by the water analyst to be unfit for drinking, no complaints
have been made regarding it. Owing to the long-continued drought there is a likelihood of the
water-supply being insufficient during the ensuing year, in which case it would be necessary to
move the regiment elsewhere.
Sanitary arrangements.—As in former years, attention is paid to surface cleansing, removal of
excreta from the court-yards of huts and other minor points ; but there has been no change in the
accommodation for the men, in the water-supply, or in the draina ge of the lines.
Diet.—Rice has been gradually increasing in price, as 11 measures and 5 ollocks could be
got for a rupee in March last, while in December only 8 measures were to be obtained at the
same price. This has been owing to the want of rain which has affected the crops. The sepoys
have received compensation for the dearness of rice to the extent of Rupees 14-7-11 per man.
Vegetables are cheap and abundant, and though meat is procurable at all seasons, the sepoy is
unable to have it oftener than once or twice a week.
If the dieting of the troops has been sufficiently nutritive.— Many of the sepoys having families
dependent cn them, are unable to afford a sufficiently nutritive and varied diet.
Clothing.—Regulation clothing is worn all the year round when the men are on duty and,
light cotton materials in undress. The former is suited to the climate and station, and the latter
insufficient during the colder months. The head-dress described in former years is still worn, and
open to the objection pointed out annually.
Duty and exercises.—Ordinary garrison and regimental duties. A detachment consisting of a
native officer and 22 rank and file proceeds on alternate months to Oossoor. For the annual course
of musketry a company at a time is struck off all other . duty, and there are six or seven parades
for each company, which last from 5 to 7 hours daily. European officers complain of exposure to
the sun, as, unlike the men whose work ceases with that of their respective companies, they (i.e.,
the Wing Officers and 1 Wing Subaltern) have to see four companies each through the course. In
the event of either of the European officers reporting sick, the duty falls on either the Adjutant or
Quartermaster. It is frequently noticed that many sepoys fall out on field days at Agram. The
men march three miles to the brigade ground ; some really enfeebled by fever fall to the rear, while
Diet.
If the dieting
of the troops
has been suffi-
ciently
nutrutive.
Clothing.
Duty and
exercises.