5 8
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL G. G. MAITLAND.
The general health of the men has been good since the corps arrived at Kolhápur in
1872, and there has been progressive improvement. Cholera, though very prevalent in the
districts and in the town of Kolhápur, did not reach the lines or bazaar. This immunity
from the epidemic the medical officer ascribes to the good supply of water, the position
and sanitary condition of the lines, and to the quarantine enforced. The head-quarter wing
of the regiment marched on Belgaum on the 29th November. The villages on the road had
in the previous months suffered much from cholera, but were free from the epidemic
before the regiment left Kolhápur. Dr. Hughes states the men bore the march well, neither
suffering from exertion or exposure. Under the head of "treatment when special" Surgeon
Hughes makes some interesting remarks on the use of the ipecacuanha-spray in the treatment
of asthma. Vaccination was carried on assiduously.
H. M.'s 5th Regiment N. L. I.
BELGAUM.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major DAY; Strength, 634.
1. Remained till 3rd of December at Belgaum. A workshop at Belgaum has been
completed during the year; no other alteration. The water-supply has been abundant, the
rainfall having been heavy.
2. The highest rate of grain compensation during the year has been 3 annas and 10 pies
and it has only been paid for 3 months. I think that recruits
are much under-fed for the first 2 years of their service,
during which time they have hard work, and only get about 5 rupees a month, the other 2
rupees going to pay for their kit. I have often noticed, when a new batch of recruits joins
that they have a healthy, sleek look about them, which becomes in a month or two changed to
a wire-drawn, haggard one, which I attribute to the short allowance of food they get while
doing hard work.
3. On the march from Belgaum one company had new chupples (sandals) given to
them; and I think that the experiment was successful, as only
2 or 3 cases of shoe-bite came from that company. One
man, it is true, got a very large sloughing ulcer where the pressure over the instep was; it
was so bad that I am inclined to look upon it as a poisoned wound caused by imperfect
dressing of the leather rather than to pressure and friction. The men other than those
belonging to this company, had permission to use what kind of boots or shoes they liked
best, and many of them bought chupples. A new dress is under consideration for the
regiment, and it is for this reason the men were granted permission to wear what
they pleased to cover their feet on the line of march. I noticed that some few of the
men preferred going bare-footed; but chupples certainly were chosen by the majority.
At Sunkeshwar about 100 men bought chupples, and they have the merit of cheapness,
for they can be obtained for 8 or 10 annas a pair: this is a very important element
in the question, for the sepoy is not tempted to go on wearing boots that do not fit him
in the first instance, and when they get out of order to continue wearing them to save
expense. The regulation boot costs about 1½ rupee to 2 rupees, so that the saving is
very considerable. On the march about 30 cases of sore feet were treated; this in a march
of 212 miles is not large I think, and if the men had used their regulation boots only I have
no doubt that the number would have been very much greater. On one or two occasions
leave was given to the men to wear their dhotirs, because there were rivers to cross and
their trowsers would get wet. It subsequently appeared that the men liked the regulation
trowsers better than their own dhotirs, for two reasons, viz. that the trowsers were warmer,
and kept stones and dust better out of their boots. I was surprised to find them preferring
the English dress to their own, but the reasons appeared sound.
4. The duties have been very light.
5. The regiment marched from Belgaum on the 3rd December to Poona. The men
were healthy on the march, as a rule; but one exception must
be made, as a recruit got fever which became complicated with
bronchitis, and he died. There were no other bad cases. About 10 women gave birth to
children on the road, and kept up with the regiment. I gave them the dooly to travel in for
about one day after parturition; this was the only assistance required, and serves to show
what a very simple affair child-birth is to the Natives of this country. The camping grounds
were, for the most part, in ploughed fields; fortunately they were dry. The regiment was first
Food.
Clothing.
Duties.
Marches.