Water
- s u p p l y .
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
Exercises.
Epidemic
diseases.
Ventilation of
the hospital.
Hospital
drainage.
Sanitary
arrangements.
Diet.
111
BRITISH BURMAH DIVISION.
The last-named reports as follows:—
Climate of the station .—With the exception of an excessive rainfall, which during the year
under review reached 100 inches, there has been nothing peculiar in the climate of the station.
The usual rainfall amounts to about 70.80 inches. Dysentery and diarrhœa were prevalent during
the continuance of the rains.
If the regiment has been on the march .—The regiment left Madras on 3rd February and arrived
at Rangoon on the 10th. A detachment of 100 men under a European Officer marched to Shoay
-gheen. The head-quarters and left wing left Rangoon for Tonghoo by the ordinary river boat
on the 18th February, arriving on March the 6th; the right wing on March 9th, arriving
March 18th.
Nuisance .—The latrines are provided with everything necessary to carry out the dry-earth
system. No nuisance has arisen; the excreta is removed twice daily. The floor of the latrine
requires repair; this has been brought to the notice of the authorities, and an asphalte floor is about
b e i n g m a d e .
Water-supply .—There are four wells; water is abundant, wholesome, and free from contami
-nation.
Sanitary arrangements .—Sanitary arrangements of barracks carefully attended to. It would be
desirable that the ground to the south and east should be cleared of jungle, as many natives ar
e in the habit of resorting to this place for for purposes of nature.
Diet .—Provisions and vegetables have been plentiful; but, as is usual in Tonghoo, are dear.
The men are rationed by Government; the food supplied is good and varied. Good beef can
be obtained at a cheap rate. Mutton very bad and very dear.
Exercises .—The men have erected a trapeze at their own expense and a few other gymnastic
apparatus; the recruits appear to have derived some benefit from the exercise.
Epidemic diseases .—Diarrhœa and dysentery were prevalent during the rains, but were most
severe in July and August. I am of opinion that diseases of this nature are produced by want of
care and attention in the way of diet on the part of the men themselves. Six cases of beri-beri
occurred, three in November; the first case was admitted in August, five months after arrival in
t h e s t a t i o n .
Climate of the
station.
If the regi
-ment has been
on the march.
Nuisance.
Ventilation of the hospital.—Ventilation of the hospital is perfect.
Hospital drainage .—Drainage is good, and the dry-earth system is efficiently carried out.
General conclusions .—The health of the troops during the year has been generally good.
Diarrhœa and slight forms of dysentery prevail in the rains, and throughout the year caused the
largest number of admissions into hospital. Many cases remain very obstinate, and in spite of all
treatment continue. Change to Madras appears to have a very beneficial effect. Since I joined
the regiment on the 12th December 1875 one case of beri-beri has been sent away, two for bowel-
complaint, and one for phthisis pulmonalis.
Honorary Surgeon J. G. Cooper was in medical charge of this detachment
during the year, and reports as under:—
Climate of the station .—Shoaygheen is a good deal under the influence of the south-west
monsoons, which brought heavy rain this year; otherwise there is little peculiar about the station,
and the ordinary influences on health and disease have been those observed.
Natural features of the district.—Shoaygheen proper is a marsh. The cantonment is situated
north of the town on a laterite ridge; the general aspect of the northern portion is mountainous,
and the southern portion of low lands all mostly covered with profuse jungle and elephant grass.
The Tonghoo and Shoaygheen rivers are about half a mile distance from cantonment on its eastern
and western aspect respectively. The soil of the district is rich and fertile, and admirably adapted
for paddy cultivation.
Water-supply .—From wells; quality good, quantity ample.
General
conclusions.
Climate of
the station.
Natural
features of
the district.
Water
-supply.
Sanitary arrangements .—Sanitary arrangements in barracks have on the whole been well
attended to. There are no local causes of disease requiring removal.
Diet .—The price of grain and vegetables have been fair; when it dad fluctuate, the rise and
fall was to a very slight extent. The men receive the following rations from the Commissariat
stores in lieu of compensation:—Rice 2 Њ s . , d h o l l 3 o z s . , g h e e 2 o z s . , s a l t 1 2 d r s . , t o b a c c o 1 ¼ o z . ,
and saffron 2 drs.
Diseases .—Fevers, rheumatism, and bowel-complaints, attributable to climatic causes.
Diseases.
General conclusions.— The health of the men has been on the whole satisfactory. It will be
observed that about half the cases admitted into hospital were ague; this is not surprising, seeing
that the cantonment is surrounded on three sides by low dense jungle and swampy ground. The
disease was mostly of short duration, and yielded to the ordinary treatment. Four deaths have
occurred during the year—two from pneumonia, one anasarca, and one diarrhœa.
General
conclusions.