Diet.
Duty and
exercises.
Exercises.
Sanitary
condition.
Water-
supply.
NAGPORE FORCE.
101
Surgeon W. E. Johnson was in medical charge of this corps during the year,
and reports as follows :—
Climate of the station .—Some years ago the station of Kamptee had the unenviable reputation
for being unhealthy, but, happily for the residents, it is now one of the healthiest stations in India,
and this change is no doubt due to the improved sanitary arrangements.
Ventilation and drainage for the men's huts .—Owing to the lines having been built too close
together, the ventilation and access of air were not so good as they would have been had the
buildings been made to occupy a larger area. The buildings themselves are constructed so as to
admit of good ventilation. The state of the drainage could not possibly be worse, owing to the
roads intersecting the elevated ground on which the huts are built having been sunk to a level
with the surrounding ground. During the rains small superficial drains were made in the lines
for the purpose of carrying off the overflow of water.
Climate of
the station.
Ventilation
and drainage
for the men's
huts.
Water-supply .—The water for cooking and ablution is obtained from the Kanban river and
wells in the lines, that from the latter being liable to contamination from soakage. The well set
apart for drinking purposes is situated at some distance from all habitations, and not liable to
contamination from any source. Supply throughout the year was abundant.
Diet.—As a rule provisions were cheap and plentiful except during the hot months. Vegetables
grow luxuriantly. The troops received monthly compensation for rice.
Duty and exercises .—Average number of nights per week in bed 4½.
Exercises .—There is a weekly gymkhana held in this station on Saturday evening. It is well
supported by the officers and other residents, and is open to Native troops as well as European.
I
do not think any of the sepoys of the 35th Regiment have competed against the European
soldiers in those sports open to the garrison; but were they to do so, I have no doubt they would
be successful in carrying off some of the prizes, especially those prizes for flat and hurdle races.
Epidemic diseases .—Cholera appeared in Kamptee as an epidemic in the month of August, the
first case occurring on the 5th of that month in the pensioners' lines, which are continuous with
the lines of the 35th Regiment. Three cases occurred in the 35th Regiment—one, the child
of a sepoy; the second, the wife of a sepoy; and the third, a sepoy. All three were treated in the
temporary cholera hospital, but only one, the sepoy, recovered. The number of cholera cases
reported by the police during the year was 84, and deaths 63; but I doubt very much the
accuracy of this statement, as the police reported that three cases of cholera, one of which died,
occurred in the 35th lines on the 6th August, without there being the slightest foundation for
such report. The three huts in which the above-mentioned three cases of cholera occurred were
disinfected according to regulation. No other epidemic disease prevailed throughout the year.
General conclusions .—The medical retrospect of the regiment is very satisfactory, the total
number of admissions from all causes being only 241, against 352 the previous year. The total
admissions for ague for the past four years were as follows:— In 1872, 278; in 1873, 145; in 1874,
127; and in 1875, 91; showing a steady decrease in admissions for that disease since the arrival
of the regiment in Kamptee on the 14th January and 14th February 1872. The number of
admissions for general debility was still large, being 14. against 16 in 1874. This disease is not, I
believe, so much due to the small pay the men receive as to the condemnable habit amongst the
Madras sepoys generally of feeding a host of their relations, many of whom are able-bodied men
and women quite able to earn their own livelihood. This may be a good trait in their character,
but I have never lost an opportunity in trying to inculcate the principle of beginning charity at
home.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. Williamson inspected this corps on the 22nd
September 1875, and reports as follows :—
Lines.—The natural drainage has been blocked up while the artificial drainage is not suffici
- e n t l y p e r f e c t t o s u p p l y i t s p l a c e , a l t h o u g h a g o o d . d e a l h a s b e e n d o n e o f l a t e t o i m p r o v e m a t t e r s .
The lines are scrupulously clean, but the huts are for the most part indifferent, and there is the
usual absence "in the case of all sepoy huts" of proper ventilation and sufficient cubic space.
Sanitary condition .—The buildings in connexion with the lines are in good sanitary condition.
There are no cess-pools or foul drains.
Water-supply .—The water for drinking and ablution is obtained partly from the river Kanban
and partly from wells in the lines.
Water-
supply.
Epidemic
diseases.
General
conclusions.
Lines.
Conservancy .—The conservancy of the lines and station generally is very good; all rubbish is
removed by regimental and conservancy carts to a considerable distance outside the station. No
suggestions to offer for its improvement.
Hospital.—It is very clean, well ventilated, and capable of containing on a stretch 36 patients
very well. The site is on low ground at the foot of the elevation on which the lines are situated,
and during the rains the drainage is not good. The latrine is built on the old principle with a
cess-pool; the dry-earth system of conservancy is as fairly carried out as the habits of the sepoys
will admit of; coal tar is also used. The water-supply of the hospital is the same as that for the
lines.
Conservancy.
Hospital.
26