Water-
supply.
Diet.
Duty and
exercises.
General
conclusions.
94 MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
8 t h R e g i m e n t N a t i v e I n f a n t r y
STATION—SEETABULDEE.
Arrived from Mercara 6th December 1873.
Average strength
696
Do. do. present
678
Admissions
902
Daily sick
26
Deaths in hospital
2
Do. out of do.
2
Pensioned
18
Sick leave
8
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
Mercara
9 1 . 1 4
3.60
1.13
1.84
4.39
1873
Seetabuldee
118.16
3.47
1.16
3.80
3.21
1874
Do.
127.79
3.57
.45
1.37
1.22
Average
112.36
3.54
.91
2.33
2.94
1875
Seetabuldee
133.03
3.83
. 5 7
2.58
1.14
Climate of the
station.
Drainage for
the men's
huts.
Lines.
Surgeon J. W. Strong was in medical charge of this corps during the year, and
reports as follows:—
Climate of the station .—The climate of Nagpore is on the whole a very healthy one. The
hot weather was not so severe as usual. The rains began about the middle of June and lasted till
September, more than 14 inches falling in excess of previous years. This increased rainfall appears
to have exercised some influence on the admissions for fevers and conjunctivitis, which rose rather
high during September. Cold easterly-winds which prevailed in November also helped to swell
the admissions on account of these diseases.
Drainage for the men's huts.—The drainage of the lines is defective; owing to their being
built in a hollow, so slight a fall is obtained that the drainage, except during the rains, sink into
the soil instead of flowing away. The drains are simple channels cut in the earth. Working
parties were detailed by the officer commanding during and at the termination of the rains to keep
the drains open and free from rank vegetation, and the sanitary condition good.
Water-supply.—The water is from wells in the immediate vicinity of the lines; is a good
drinking water, and the supply has been sufficient.
Diet.—European and native vegetables have been abundant and cheap, especially during the
cold months of the year. Rice 12 seers 4 chuttaks per rupee, wheat 15 seers 12 chuttaks per
rupee, mutton 4 seers per rupee, dholl 16 seers per rupee, ghee 1 seer 5 chuttaks per rupee. The
average price of these articles have been a little dearer than last year. Compensation for rice
Rupees 2-8-1.
Duty and exercises .— Average number of nights in bed 5 1/4.
General conclusions .—Taking into consideration the low and damp situation of the regimental
lines and huts, the health of the men has on the whole been good. The ratio of admissions per
1,000 of strength for the year under review is 1271.53. When compared with the previous year
1328.87, shows a decrease of 49.34 on the admissions. One-third of the entire number of admissions
was due to ague. Conjunctivitis gave 92, dysentery and diarrhœa 39, syphilis 12, and rheuma
-tism 68. So far as regards the climate, water-supply, and duties of the troops there is no reason
why the ratio of sickness should continue so high; but so long as the men occupy the present site,
no improvement in their health return can be looked for.
Deputy Surgeon-General W. Williamson inspected the head-quarters of this
regiment on the 1st October 1875, and reports as follows
:— Lines.—Notwithstanding all that has been said and written about these lines, "as regards
their low situation and bad drainage," they remain in, the same swampy locality, and although