56
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
5. This regiment now occupies the hospital which belonged to the 5th N. L. I. while
that corps was stationed at Belgaum; it has been well
described by Dr.Day in his report for 1874. I agree with that
officer in thinking that a ward should be built for the reception of infectious diseases.
Cholera and small-pox are, doubtless, best treated in tents or chuppers; but children with
measles or varicella would do better in a well-ventilated but not draughty ward. A separate
ward would, moreover, be a great convenience for the observation of suspicious cases and the
temporary accommodation of contagious diseases while a chupper was being erected. A
covered way from the hospital to the latrines and cook-room would be a great comfort to the
patients in the rains.
Hospital.
Latrines.
6. Both here and at Kolhápur the latrines are on the
dry system.
7 . A t K o l h á p u r t h e w a t e r f o r t h e h o s p i t a l w a s d r a w n f r o m t h e n e a r e s t r e g i m e n t a l w e l l ;
here it is obtained from a well in the hospital compound dug
by Mr. Raghojee Patkur, an old hospital assistant.
8. The health of the regiment, during its 4 years' stay at Kolhápur, has steadily im
-
proved. The number of admissions from all causes was 419
in 1875. The following percentages of treated to average
strength show the progessive improvement in the health of the regiment:—in 1872, 98.3; in
1873, 97.4; in 1874, 74.1; and in 1875, 81.6. The apparent increase, last year, is owing to
sickly men not having been sent on detachment duty to Kaládgi.
Hospital Water-supply.
Sickness.
Mortality.
9. 1 jemadar, naique, and 2 sepoys died during the year
10 men were granted sick leave, 23 men have been pensioned,
and 2 discharged the service on medical grounds.
10. There were 123 admissions for ague. The disease was of a mild type. There were
34 admissions for boil, 22 of them being in the months of
September, October, and November. The patients on admission
were all in a low state of health. The 16 cases of conjunctivitis were all slight. The disease
never threatened to become epidemic. Bronchitis and bronchial catarrh were common
during the runs. 3 of the 8 cases of hepatitis were very severe, and threatened to run on
to abscess. 3 severe cases of pneumonia, 1 of which proved fatal, were treated. The 4
cases of dysentery were all of a very mild and tractable type.
11. 1 man died of pneumonia on the seventh day of the disease; an old naique died
from the irritation of an ulcer on the foot followed by blood
-
poisoning. A Native officer, who had been sent on medical
certificate to head-quarters from the detachment at Kaládgi, sank shortly after his arrival in
Kolhápur; his disease was chronic diarrhœa.
Principal Causes of Sickness.
Causes of Mortality.
Mortality according to Caste.
12. Of the men who died, 3 were Hindus and 1 a Chris--
tian.
13. The rainfall registered in the regimental hospital was 51 inches 49 cents. Rain
fell in April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and
November. By far the heaviest fall was in July, when 23
inches 4 cents fell. In August and the two succeeding months there was but little rain, and
the weather was occasionally very steamy and oppressive. During these three months and
in November the admissions for fever were numerous (68).
14. During the past year the camp and bazaar at Kolhápur have escaped epidemic dis
-
ease. It is worthy of note that, though during last monsoon
cholera was very prevalent in the city of Kolhápur and the
adjoining villages, not a case occurred ether in the lines or bazaar. To the good water
-supply, the happy position of the lines, and their cleanliness, as well as to the strict quaran--
tine that was enforced, this immunity must be ascribed.
15. Vaccination and re-vaccination have been carried on assiduously.
16. The general health and physique of the men are good.
17. Cinchonidine appears to possess decided virtues as an antiperiodic. The great
drawback to its use is that it is very apt to produce headache.
Ipecacuanha-spray has again been used in the treatment of
asthma. More extended experience has led me to modify the high opinion I had formed of
this mode of treatment: in some cases it acts like a charm, in others it only gives very tem-
porary relief, and in a third class of cases, where the disease is complicated with chronic
bronchitis or emphysema, it does no good whatever.
18. The medical pupil attends school, and daily receives clinical instruction, and is
practised in dispensing,
Influence of Rainfall.
Epidemics.
Treatment when special.