108
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
16. The protection afforded by vaccination has been so well attended to in former years
that the number of vaccinations and re-vaccinations during the
year has been small. Of the former there were 9 operations, and
of the latter 39.
17. The physique of the men is all that could be desired, the average height being some-
Vaccination and Re-vaccination.
General Health and Physique of
the Men.
what over 5 feet 7 inches, and the average chest measurement
about 34 inches. During the year 98 recruits joined, and as re-
Gards physique they are in noway inferior to their older comrades.
Their average age was 19 years, and they had an average height of 5 feet 7 5/6 inches. The general
health of the men has already been alluded to as more or less broken down by the effects of
climate. The great majority of the men have a cachectic and sickly appearance. They are
unable to undergo much fatigue, and scarcely a parade takes place that some do not fall
out from sheer weakness and giddiness.
18. 101 cases of fever were treated with the sulphate of cinchonidine in doses of
Treatment of Disease when special. 20 to 25 grs. thrice daily, but the results were not calculated to
enhance the reputation of the drug as a febrifuge. The sub-
cutaneous injection of quinine was resorted to in many obstinate cases of fever, and always with
a successful result.
Special Observations,
19. It will be seen from this report that cinchonidine was
exhibited in a large number of fever cases, but with anything
but favourable results.
20. The average time each patient spent in hospital during the year under report was
10 days 12 hours, as against 11 days and 17 hours during the preceding year. If the fever,
cases alone be taken, it is found that their average stay in hospital during the year 1875 was
6 days 20 hours, against 7 days and 10 hours in 1874. Considering the unhealthiness of this
station the hospital accommodation is quite insufficient for even the wing of a regiment,
There is only space for 20 men, whereas the number on the sick list is invariably more : at one
time there were 74. An isolation ward, with accommodation for 8 patients suffering from in-
aectious diseases, has just been completed. But in its construction no regard whatever has been
faid to ventilation ; and when the doors are closed, as they must be in the months when the
pot winds are prevalent, as also in the cold weather, air can find neither ingress nor egress,
чnd what is within must remain stagnant, and momentarily become more impure from the
exhalations from the patients. The same objections apply to the main hospital, which, in
addition to want of ventilation, is in total darkness when the doors are closed. Both 1st
and 2nd class hospital servants are now comfortably lodged, as quarters for them have been
completed during the year. The want of a bath-room in connection with the hospital is much
felt. A dead-house should also be provided.
21. Due attention has been paid to the training of the medical pupil in clinical medi-
Instruction of Medical Pupil, chic, surgery, and therapeutics. He is also practised in the
method of keeping the various hospital returns and records.
Observations on Level of the Sub-soil Water.
Locality or Designation
of Well.
Date and Hour of Measurement.
Distance of Sub-
soil Water below
Surface of Ground .
Rainfall from
Date of last
Measurement.
W e l l i n t h e m e s s O f f i c e r s ' C o m p o u n d .
15th February at 5 A.M.
...
...
Feet in.
In. cts.
37 0
. . .
15th March
do.
... ...
...
38 0
0 25
15th April
do. ...
...
...
38 6
...
15th May
do. ...
...
...
39 6
...
15th June
do.
...
.
... ...
40 0
1 45
15th July
do. ...
...
...
40 6
9 31
15th August
do.
...
...
...
39 0
14 14
15th September do.
...
...
...
38 0
11 26
15th October
do. ...
...
...
36 6
4 01
15th November do.
...
...
...
36 0
...
15th December do. ...
...
...
36 0
0 8