118
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Water-
supply.
Water-supply .--Sufficient water has been obtained throughout the year. During the latter
part of the hot season a little extra trouble was experienced in procuring a sufficiency. It is
drawn from several wells, and appears of good quality.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Sanitary arrangements.— The sanitary state of the lines is as good as can be expected under
the circumstances.
Diet
Diet.—Provisions have been plentiful and cheap. At most seasons of the year vegetables are
easily to be obtained. Compensation is given for dearness of grain. As the sepoys feed
themselves it is impossible to give a satisfactory reply to the question if dieting has been nutritive.
One thing, however, is quite certain, and that is the fact that many of the men are under-nourished.
Duty and
exercises.
Duty and exercises.—Duty has not been excessive. It has consisted of the usual drills, guards,
; & c . n o i l l - e f f e c t s h a v e r e s u l t e d o n t h e h e a l t h o f t h e m e n f r o m t h i s c a u s e . O n a n a v e r a g e t h e
number of nights in bed has been 5 .49 to 1 on duty.
Epidemic
diseases.
Epidemic diseases.— Last year's epidemic of small-pox continued late into this year. There
was then a cessation until a couple of weeks ago, when a single mild case occurred. Two sepoys
and twenty-three cases amongst the families were attacked in the year. Three of the latter died.
The two former contracted the disease while attending on their children. One states he had been
previously attacked. The other had been vaccinated. Both were mild cases. The disease has
been very rife in the city, Sudder bazaar, and surrounding country.
Hospital
ventilation.
Hospital ventilation.—The building used as the hospital is quite unsuited for its purpose. The
new hospital upon the standard plan is now in course of construction, and it is hoped it will be
ready for occupation by 1st April next.
Hospital
drainage and
latrines.
Hospital drainage and latrines.— The latrines are on the dry-earth system, which has answered
admirably. The drainage is bad round the hospital.
General.
conclusions
General conclusions.— The death-rate has been very high this year, and though the admissions
have been considerably less than in 1874, still the number of severe cases has been greater ; but
for all this I am of opinion that the regiment on the whole has improved in health, because the
majority of admissions have been from about 100 to 150 of the men, the remainder hardly ever
coming to hospital. Of the above number many are men with large families, and consequently find
it difficult to obtain either sufficient food or clothing, which is all the more necessary in this
climate, it being so very much colder than what they are used to. Another great cause of
sickness is the overcrowding in their huts, to which may be added the wretched site occupied by
the lines. The drainage of the lines is far from what it should be. This is now under consider-
ation.
1 1 t h R e g i m e n t H a t i b e I n f a n t r y .
STATION—NAGODE.
Arrive d from Raipore 11th December 1872.
Average strengt
Do.
do.
present
.. ..
.
..
..
. .
..
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
..
..
..
..
702
054
Admissions ....
..
..
. .
. .
. .
..
..
3 6 1
Daily sick..
.. ..
..
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
9
Deaths in hospital .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
..
5
Do. out of do.
..
..
..
..
..
..
. ..
1
Pensioned
....
• .
. .
. .
. .
..
. .
. .
20
Sick leave ... .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
. .
8
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years :—
Years.
S t a t i o n s .
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
.
Average Strength.
Admissions. Daily Sick. All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1872 ..
.. Nagode . .
..
..
87.1.5
2 .77
2 . 1 6
1.44
. 8 6
1873 ..
• •
Do.
..
..
..
61.34
2.04
• 42
3.57
3 . 2 9
1874 ..
..
Do.
..
..
.
6 0 . 3 6
2.10
. 5 8
5.82
. 8 7
Average
69.01
2.30
1.05
3.61
1 . 6 7
1875 . . . .
Nagode .. ..
..
55.19
1.37
.85
2.84
1 . 1 3