102
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Principal
Principal diseases.—Since the 1st of January there have been 280 admissions, of which 100 were
diseases.
ague, 6 chronic rheumatism, 6 primary syphilis, 5 leprosy, 15 catarrhal ophthalmia, 14 dysentery,
5 diarrhoea, 9 abscess, 11 ulcer, 19 general de
bility. The other diseases are in small numbers.
There has been no epidemic and only 3 deaths: 1 from beri-beri, 1 from anaemia, and 1 from
valvular disease of the heart.
Percentage of sick admitted to strength ..
..40.75
. •
Do.
of deaths to sick
• •
• •
1.07
BRITISH BURMAH DIVISION.
..
Average strength ..
..
• •
..
..
• .
• .
.. 3,485
Do.
do.
present ..
• .
..
..
..
..
..
.. 2,781
Total admissions
..
. . .. • . .. .. .. .. 3,286
• .
Daily sick
..
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
130
• .
Deaths in hospital ..
• .
• .
..
..
..
• •
..
..
31
• •
• 8
Do.
out of do.
..
..
..
..
..
..
37
Pensioned
• .
• .
..
• .
• •
• .
..
..
..
..
33
Sick leave
..
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
• •
102
The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding as
contrasted with previous years :—
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength Present.
A v e r a g e S t r e n g t h .
Years.
Admissions.
Daily Sick.
All Deaths. Pensioned. Sick Leave.
1872 .. ..
..
151.01
4.92
2.13
5.88
1873 .. ..
• .
103.22
3.58
2.04
.07
3.63
1874 .. ..
..
88.94
3.26
1.70
.56
4.91
Average ..
114.39
3.92
1.95
.21
4.80
1875 .. ..
..
118.15
4.67
1.95
.94
2.92
The following corps were serving in this division on the 3st1 December 1875 :—
4th Regiment M.N.I.
6th
do.
do.
15th
do.
do.
17th
do.
do.
39th
do.
do.
Deputy Surgeons-General H. Young and P. G. FitzGerald, M.D., have been in
medical charge of this division during the year; the latter reports as follows :—
Alleged causes
Alleged causes of sickness and mortality.— There has not been any epidemic among the troops
of sickness
serving in this province during the past year, although cholera and small-pox prevailed among the
and mortality.
civil population in various parts of the country. The native regiments at Tonghoo have been
sickly, and have sent many men sick to the coast. Diarrhoea, dysentery, and fever, with their
consequences, have constituted the largest number. The rainfall at that station was heavier than
usual, and during the rains it is hot and damp at the same time. The monotonous life of the men
during this season has much to do with their condition of health—cut off as they are by a long and
tedious river journey from the coast, and surrounded by jungle on all sides, they are thrown
altogether on the resources of the cantonment itself for amusement and recreation.
There was a good deal of sickness in the detachment of the 15th Regiment N.I. at the
Andamans, but comparatively small mortality. This was chiefly due to the unhealthiness of the
Nicobars and of the settlement at Aberdeen. The detachment at the former station is only
relieved once in three months, and they usually return to Port Blair prostrate with fever and its
effects. At Aberdeen the men were formerly only relieved also once in three months, but owing
to the remonstrances of the medical officer the relief has for some time past been effected once a
month, and the sickness much reduced in consequence. During my visit to Port Blair I was
unable to visit the Nicobars or the stations around Ross Island, as the steamer only remained 26
hours. At Aberdeen there is a salt-water swamp not far from the new barracks, which the medical
officer has recommended to be drained and planted.