102
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY 0F BOMBAY.
bourhood, and although I removed the left lachrymal and nasal bones (both carious from
pressure of the tumour) and scraped the carious bone away from supra-orbital plate, I fear the
return of the tumour. It was decided in consultation that nothing more could be done at
present, at all events in so old a woman. During the cholera epidemic in the bazaar and Royal
Artillery a bottle of a mixture of known strength containing chloroform, morphia, sulphuric
ether, and tincture of Indian hemp suspended in caromel (a solution of burnt sugar) with a
little mucilage, or in treacle, was given the hospital orderly, who lives in the lines, with a
proper measure. Every man suffering from diarrhœa immediately got a dose from him (as
they were all ordered to apply at once) and sent to hospital. This precaution proved to be
highly beneficial; but whether it had any part in keeping cholera from the regiment, it is
impossible to say.
10. As the station is out of the tropics it was natural to expect that cases of bronchitis
(12) and pneumonia (1), pleurodynia (1), should occur. But the
most remarkable circumstance is that, during the epidemic of
cholera in the Royal Artillery close by, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment escaped untouched. Fevers
both amongst Europeans and Natives have been much less numerons than last year, but not
less numerous than before the tank was rebunded (amongst 2 Europeans) in 1872, although
cholera has seemed to have replaced them. This vicariousness of cholera and fever is
striking.
11. This year the regiment was exceptionally healthy, although the lines and huts are
bad in every way; the latter too small, low, not raised on plinths,
and the former not laid out at sufficiently large intervals, Never-
theless the station cannot be said to have proved inimical to the cavalry. It is to be remarked
that, although the rainfall this year was not so great as last year's (viz., 43 against 57), the
water in the wells is nearer the surface than in 1874, because these rains lasted one month
longer. There was one long break; but the monsoon began about the same time (by a very
heavy fall) as last year, somewhat later, viz. 15 days. It would appear that Neemuch is
situated in, perhaps, one of the lowest parts of a vast valley, bounded on the south by the
Aravulli range of hills, and the high range of land in the direction of Odeypur on the west,
to the north the boundary is the high uplands of the plateau which slopes towards
Delhi, and on the east there are low ranges or elevations between Neemuch and the great
rivers that serve to drain the large extent of country described, and which in some places is
partially cut off from such drainage. The water in the highest part of Neemuch, near
the European barracks, was this year within 4 or 5 feet of the surface (in December).
The levels of the well water near these barracks do not correspond with the level of the
water in the tank. The level of the tank is higher during the months of January, February
and March, which are the only favourable ones for observations, the consumption being so
great in the hot weather and the water being flush in wells and tanks during the rains.
Water-level near European Barracks.
R e d u c e d L e v e l o f P l a t f o r m .
Reduced Level of Water
January. February. March.
Parade well
113.10 100.00
98.40
97.05
Hospital well
107.36
93.11
90.80
88.86
Tank
...
101.25
100.61
99.68
It is maintained that the difference of these levels show the independence of their water-
supply, as during the whole night the tank-level is never attained by the well water. It is,
however, indubitable that the tank raises the level of the water in all the black soil below and
above it, and I have for two years successively recommended extensive and expensive drain-
age (which is now at last sanctioned) in the beds of both rivulets which skirt the canton-
ment. In my cholera report I have shown the great diminution of fevers this year amongst
Natives,; but as the water-level is still high (near the European barracks especially), we
may (although the usual fever time is past) test whether Petinkoffer's theory of the subsi-
dence of sub-soil water accompanying fever be true. With regard to cholera the subsidence
of sub-soil water has distinctly (in Neemuch) played no rôle whatever; on the contrary it only
continued during the rains, and especially when the wind was from the eastward, and when
the water-level was at its highest.
Special Observations.
Resumé.