Water.
Drainage.
Food.
Duties.
88
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
4. The unprecedented heavy rainfall so flooded the great nallah bounding camp
on east and south that 15 yards of the wall of the old grave-yard were undermined and fell
in. In October an earthquake shock was felt, beginning with a distant, low, rumbling
sound, followed by distinct vibrations as of a subterranean wave. These phenomena were
coincident with an earthquake at Mount Aboo, 49 miles distant, the formation of which is
volcanic.
5. Water is obtained from wells; quality fair.
6. Only natural drainage.
7. In January north and north-west winds prevailed; the thermometer often stood
as low as 35°F., being 3°F. less than the lowest recorded in 1874.
The air was tonic and bracing, and any exercise a pleasure.
Lowest temperature in February—42°F., and rain fell on two days to the extent of 1.3 inches.
The real hot weather began on the 28th of March, and lasted till the 6th of July. No rain
this month. During April the heat was great; rain fell only one day, when 1.052 inches were
registered. May was intensely hot, the thermometer frequently indicating 112°F. in the
shade. In my house, doors and windows closed, with a good thermantidote and punkah
continually acting, the temperature stood at 93°F. throughout the day. During May and
June, frequently by 12 noon, clouds of pulverized sand darkened the atmosphere, even
when the wind was apparently still, and by 5 P.M. no object was visible beyond 300
yards. 13 cents of rain fell in May. In June sand-storms were most disagreeable and
enervating. In this month, when cholera prevailed in many villages around Deesa, a spot
was selected to leeward of camp, where grass-huts were erected for any cases among the
inhabitants of the bazaars. Sentries were posted night and day on all main roads to prevent
communication with infected places. No cholera appeared in camp, although 20 cases were
reported weekly at Sidpur, 27 miles distant. The monsoon broke on the 9th of July.
Total rainfall for this month 18 inches 13 cents. In August only 3 inches 98 cents fell. In
September the continued heavy rainfall on the Aravulli range flooded the Bunnass from bank
to bank behind the sudden bazaar—a distance of half a mile. It was a perfect running sea,
carrying trunks of trees, roots, debris of all kinds, dead animals; and 2 dead human bodies
floated past. Rainfall, 11 inches 98 cents. In October the sun was very powerful, and the
nights somewhat chilly, the mean daily range being 25°F. November and December were
pleasantly cool. Throughout the year the highest temperature was 112°F., the lowest 35°F.
Mean monthly range 38.25°F. Mean daily range 24.27°F. Mean temperature for the year
79.66. The mean of the barometric readings for the year was 29.463; the barometric range
was small; the mean monthly was 333. Rain fell on 53 days, and the total for the year was
37 inches 7 cents, being 10 inches in excess of last year. This is the heaviest fall of rain
during the last 15 years in Deesa.
8. Extemporized surface drains in the monsoon. Conservancy arrangements carefully
attended. to. Sanitation satisfactory.
9. The supply of grains has been abundant, and prices moderate. Grass and cattle
were procurable in the hot season. Jowari and other crops
sustained great damage by the unusual heavy rains.
10. Favourable; have very little night duty.
11. The principal cause of admisson was malarial fever, of which 76 were cases of ague
and 2 of remittent fever. 28 cases of mild quotidian ague were
treated with sulphate of cinchonidine. Always in the cold
stage a strong diaphoretic was administered, and, when copious sweating ensued, 15 grains of
cinchonidine were exhibited, repeated three times daily. Frequently nausea was excited, and
occasionally headache and vomiting followed. In four cases the drug had no apparent
effect. As far as my experience goes, it is an excellent bitter tonic and an anteperiodic of
some value; but its therapeutic action is uncertain. 15 grains are about equal to 5
of quinine. The average amount used in each case was about 3 drachms. Rheumatism
gave 15 admissions, all of mild character. 3 admissions from dysentery, one of which
proved fatal. This man had been invalided with chronic rheumatism, but dysentery super -
vened; and being old, worn out, and of low vitality, he rapidly succumbed to the affection
in spite of free exhibition of portwine, &c. 8 admissions from syphilis, 3 of which were
invalided; 6 of lung disease, 3 of which were pneumonia., 2 bronchitis, and 1 pleurisy. In one
the pneumonia cases there was no rusty sputum, although the temperature was during 48
hours above 104.5°F. There were 64 contusions or injuries. A duffedar at Pálanpur was
bit on the thumb by a vicious horse, and the distal phalanx completely crushed. Ten days
Climate.
Sickness, Mortality, and. inva
-
liding.