NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
A SKETCH
OF THE
MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY
FOR THE
YEAR 1875.
[The regiments are placed as they stood in the Army List on the 1st July 1875.]
PRESIDENCY DIVISION, ADEN, AND BOMBAY MARINE.
Average strength present during the year, Infantry . . . 3,288.5
Average daily sick per cent. to the average strength . . .
3.8
Ratio of mortality per cent. to the average strength . . .
1.1
Detachment, 4th Regiment N. I. (Rifles).
BOMBAY.—In medical charge of Surgeon H. DETATHAM; Strength, 141.5.
Location and Movement.
1. The same detachment of the 4th Rifles has been doing
duty in Bombay since 1873.
2. The men have continued to occupy the pendall which was described in my last report;
the accommodation provided, has been found good and suffi
-
cient. I inspected the lines myself during the rains, and found
them to be dry and wholesome: no changes or additions have
been made to any of the buildings occupied by the detachment during the past year. As
already reported, there is no roof-ventilation in the pendall; but this is of little consequence,
as the doors, being 7 feet high, admit of the air of the rooms being changed frequently.
3. There is no separate hospital for the detachment, the sick being treated in the
hospital of the 20th Regiment N. I.; and there are no cells, prisoners (when there are any)
being confined in the quarter-guard.
4. The situation of the pendall is such that the ground round it drains naturally; no
lodgment of water occurred during the rains. The conser
-
vancy of the pendall and adjacent ground has been well main
-
tained throughout the year. There is no latrine for the men of the detachment; some of
them use the latrine of the 20th Regiment N. I., and others
the Sonapur latrine. There is one small latrine in the imme
-
diate neighbourhood of the pendall, which is reserved for the women; it is carefully looked
after, and has been kept in as good a sanitary state as its construction will admit of.
5 . T h i s i s f r o m t h e V e h a r L a k e , a n d h a s b e e n g o o d t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r . O n a f e w
occasions, however, the supply has been suspended for a few
hours only.
6. The duties performed by the detachment cannot be said to have had any appreci
-
able effect in producing sickness, although,of course, men some
-
times apply for admission who would not do so if they had
no duty to perform. The men have enjoyed, on an average, 3½ consecutive nights in bed.
B 66—a
Lines, and Accommodation gene
-
rally.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Duties and their Effect on Health.
20
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
kept in Aden for 3 years. One severe case of dysentery nearly proved fatal owing to
the weak constitution of the patient; the severe attack and a relapse was treated with the
usual remedies, and after a prolonged treatment recovered convalescence, and was sent to
Aden. The case shown as mumps was severe; the parotid gland and lymphatics becoming in
a short time greatly swollen, hard, and extremely painful, resisted remedies, and after some
days suppurated, the patient swallowing with the utmost difficulty, and becoming very weak
in consequence. The relieving steamer arriving, the patient was sent to head-quarters hospital
at Aden. No casualties have occurred. The general health of all detachments has been
satisfactory. Owing to the short stay of each, and the relief of the medical subordinate every
four months, no remak can be offered regarding the physique of the men.
9. Three cases of ague were treated with cinchonodine; the results have been already
specially reported.
10. I would draw special attention to remarks made in the annual sanitary report,
1875, regarding scurvy, and would suggest that an arrangement be made for treating this
disease, which has been so prevalent, and which has already been the subject of a correspond
- d e n c e , t h e r e s u l t o f w h i c h i s u n k n o w n .
11. The latrine, reported last year as being erected, is now in use, and is attended to
and kept clean by sweepers specially sent from Aden. The excreta is carried in closed recep--
tacles, and buried some feet in the sand to the leeward of the fort. The roofs of all barracks
and buildings in the fort are to be removed, and the whole made substantial. The Command-
- i n g O f f i c e r ' s q u a r t e r s h a v e a l r e a d y b e e n r e - c o n s t r u c t e d , a n d a f e w a d d i t i o n s m a d e
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY
. 53
The rainfall was above the average, and amounted to 49 inches 14 cents.
5. The lines have not been improved since last report, and are over-crowded. The
capacity of each hut is 810 cubic feet; and as each hut, including
women, children and followers, is, on an average, occupied by
3 persons, this allows each individual 270 cubic feet only. To obviate the evil of the present
system, proper accommodation should be provided for the Rifles, and new pendalls erected.
6. The defects of drainage in the lines are obvious enough. It was proposed to intro-
duce a proper system of drainage, by which the surface gutter
should be widened, deepened, faced with masonry, and covered,
to prevent their noisome contents from contaminating the air. The present plan of sweep-
-ing the gutters, redolent of much impurity and of nightsoil, judging by the sense of smell,
is exceedingly offensive, and cannot be condemned in sufficiently strong terms.
7. On this subject I would merely reiterate what is elsewhere on record, that in the
station sanitation is at a discount, and that nothing in a sanitary
point of view will be done effectively until Government sanction
the re-conversion of Satara from a civil to a military station.
8. The water in use by the sepoys and their families is obtained from three wells in the
lines; these dry up in the hot weather, and the supply is then
brought from neighbouring wells. Additional wells should
be provided in the lines, and those already there should be deepened. The water is consider--
ed good. Subjoined is an analysis of samples from the three wells, with identical results in
all:—
Physical Examination.
Colour and transparency
Colourless and transparent.
Taste
Nil.
Smell
Nil.
Qualitative Results.
Re-action
Neutral.
Organic matter
Nil.
Lime..
Present.
Chlorine
Present.
Sulphuric acid
Nil.
Nitrous acid
Nil.
Ammonia
Nil.
Sulphuretted hydrogen
Nil.
Iron
Nil.
Quantitative.
Solids
Total
224 grs. per gallon.
Chlorine
34.57 per gallon.
Hardness
15.7 carbonate of calcium per
gallon.
Permanent
.4
ditto.
9. Food in Satara is good, abundant, and tolerably cheap. The market price under--
goes little change from month to month. Compensation on
account of dearness of provisions is granted occasionally, but it
seldom exceeds 4 or 5 arenas per mensem.
10. The health of the men does not appear to have suffered from the usual routine of duty
at this station. More guard duty was entailed on the departure
of the Asirgarh detachment. The average number of consecutive
nights in bed was 5½.
11. A properly appointed hospital is urgently needed. On 4th January 1875 tents for
the accommodation of the sick were pitched in rear of the hired
bungalow previously used as an hospital, as it had to undergo
B 66—n
Lines.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Food.
Duties and their Effect on Health.
Hospital and its Surroundings.
B 66—0
REPORT on Potable Waters of Kolh ápur analysed by Surgeon D. E. Hughes, M.D.
Date of Analysis.
Water-source,
and by whom used.
Physical Properties of
Water.
Re-action.
Hardness.
G r a i n g o f O x y g e n r e m o v e d b y r e a d i l i t y o x i d i n z a b l e m a t t e r o f I L i t r e o f w a t e r .
G r a i n s o f O x y g e n r e m o v e d b y o x i d i z a b l e m a t t e r o f I L i - t r e o f w a t e r a t 6 0 C .
Ni t r i c Ac i d.
L i m e p e r G a l l o n , g r a i n s .
Chl or i ne.
S u l p h u r i c A c i d .
Remarks.
Total.
Perma-
nent.
Remov-
able.
5th Sept. 1875 ... Well No. 12, used by Mah-
rattas, Punjabees, Pur-
dasees.
Clear, colourless, tasteless,
free from smell.
Alkaline...
9.10
4.9
4.2
.00044
.00095 None
3.528
. . .
. . .
6th
do.
. . . No. 5, Mochees' well
... Clear, colourless, free from
smell ; taste unpleasant.
Do. ...
8.05
7.35
. 0 7 .00062
.00134 Do.
.382
Present. Present •
7th
do.
... No. 7, Purwarrees' well ... Clear, colourless, free from
smell, agreeable.
Do. ...
5. 25
3.85
1.4
.00046
.00214
Do.
2.584
Do.
Do.
11th
do.
... No, 1, Mahrattas, &c.„. Colourless, odourless, agree-
able
Do. ...
7.85
5.6
2.2
.00126
.00322
Do,
1.764
Do.
Do.
13th
do.
... No. 3, Barrack well
... Colourless, tasteless, odour-
less
Do.
8.05
3.50
4.55
.00038
.00138 Do.
2.940
Do.
Plentiful.
13th
do.
... No. 2, Engineer's well ...
Do.
Do. ...
7.00
5.6
1.4
.00050
.00162 Do.
1.372
Do.
Present.
14th
do.
. . . Rankala Tank
...
. . .
Do.
Do. ...
1.75
1.2
0.55
.00126
.00304
Do.
.39
Trace. Trace. Conferva &fila -
ments, vege -
table fibres,
sand, & clay.
14th
do.
... River
...
...
... Yellowish, faint smell,
opaque, taste earthy.
Neutral ... 1.05
. 8 7 5
2.05
.00074
.00196 Do.
.196
Present. Do.
Much sand and
clay.
14th
do.
... Kataynee ...
... ... Hazy, odourless, agreeable Alkaline...
4.20
3.50
. 7 .00042
.00160 Do.
.980
Trace.
Do.
Vegetable mat-
ter, zinc, sand
in small
quantity.
P O O N A D I V I S I O N O F T H E A R M Y .
57
62
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
2. The new cantonment of Dharwar, situated about 2 miles from the town, occupies
an area of about 300 acres. It is situated in 15°30' north
latitude, and 75°2' east longitude. To the north of it, about
46 miles, is the military station of Belgaum; to the south is the
commercial town of Hubli, distant about 14 miles; to the west, by the Tini Ghát, is the sea
distant about 90 miles.
3. The water for drinking purposes is derived from three wells which have been made
by the P. W. D. within the past three years. Although the
quantity has been sufficient during the past year, it must be
remembered that the whole of the regiment was not located in the new cantonment until
October 1875. It remains to be seen whether three wells will be sufficient during the year
1876; there can be no doubt that a fourth well would be a great boon. The water of
two of these wells has been analysed, and the result is herewith forwarded. The analysis
was made by the Acting Chemical Analyser to Government:—
Analysis of Water.
Well to east of
the Lines.
Well near Officers'
Quarters.
Grains per Gallon. Grains per Gallon.
Total solids dried at about 280° F
25.76
10.08
Loss on ignition
.28
.84
Chloride of sodium
6.83
3.89
Sulphuric acid
Traces.
Traces.
Lime
7.52
4.54
Magnesia
2.62
Nil.
Silica
.28
.28
Carbonic acid (combined)
2.05
.68
Hardness before boiling (total)
15°.4
6°.3
Do. after boiling permanent
2°.8
2°.8
Temporary
12°.4
3°.5
Parts per Million.
Parts per Million.
Ammonia—
Free—In distillate from carbonate of soda
.28
.26
Albumenoid—Do. permanganate of potash
.08
.13
Of nitrates and nitrites
15.00
15.00
Oxygen—Total required by the water at 140° F. in
.0350
.0560
presence of acidNitrous acid
.0402
.0201
Colour in stratum of 2 feet
Clear, translucent. Clear, translucent.
Odour
Nil.
Nil.
Taste
Nil.
Nil.
Re-action
Neutral.
Neutral.
Sediment
Copious, consisting
mostly of red earth,
whi ch s hows t he pr es ence of oxi de of i r on. No l i ve ani mal cul a s een.
Small quantity of
r e d e a r t h y d e - p o s i t . N o l i v i n g a n i m a l l i f e s e e n .
From this analysis both samples, from the small amount of total solid matters con--
tained in them, may be considered fair specimens of potable water; but the large amount
of free ammonia present in each inclines me to view them with some suspicion, and to
recommend their being boiled and filtered before use. There are no rivers near. There is
a water-shed in the camp which conveys the water during the monsoon into two tanks, which
are situated to the east and south-east of the lines. Two bunds have been heightened
and strengthened to save the water thus collected; this water is used for all purposes
Topography and Physical Geo-
-graphy.
Water.
65
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
19. I cannot say this is as satisfactory as it might be. Many of the men have a
scorbutic taint, caused, in my opinion, from insufficiency of food,
especially vegetables. In some instances I have found slight
ulcers difficult to heal, and on my issuing lime-juice to the
patients and directing the hospital orderly to observe the amount of vegetables consumed
by them, a cure has been speedily effected.
20. Cinchonidine has been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of inter
-
mittent fever; but, as I have before observed, the cases were
all of mild type. I am, therefore, unable to state decidedly my
opinion as to its merits as compared with quinine.
21. The regiment has enjoyed fairly good health. Since it came here it has been
subjected to very hard work—line-building. I would, in
conclusion, invite particular attention to, 1st, the construction
of another well near the hospital in the new cantonment; 2ndly, the sepoys' dress; and, lastly
the present plan of enlistment and invaliding.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL G. G. MAITLAND.
The new cantonment has been well selected on high open ground to the north of and
about 2 miles from the fort and town. The hospital is in course of erection, and will
be finished, it is expected, before the rains. The water-supply for drinking purposes is from
three wells; but the medical officer states a fourth should be opened near the hospital, and
in this opinion I concur. The general health and physique of the corps, considering the work
and exposure they have gone through in building lines, is remarkably good. Now that a
better supply of water is obtainable in the new lines, Dr. Ogilvie expects that dracunculus
will be less frequent among the troops; but, so long as they are permitted to use and bathe
in the Dharwar tanks, in one of which the worm abounds, I am afraid little improvement
in this respect can be looked for.
General Health and Physique
of the Men.
Treatment of Disease when
special.
Resumé.
B 66— g
Location and Movement of
Corps.
Effects on Climate.
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY. 73
jaundice; the other was seen to fall from his horse, and was found dead. On post-mortem,
examination Dr. Batty found the semilunar valves almost co
m-pletely converted into cartilage, and inmediately above and b
e-hind them, in the aorta, there was an ulcer of about the size of 2-anna piece. Of those who
died, one was a Mussulman, the other a Mahratta.
Principal Causes of Mortality.
Influence of Rainfall.
Epidemics.
9 The rainfall was 17 inches 86 cents.
10. Cholera has been prevalent in the city, but no cases
occurred in the squadron.
11. There were 23 primary vaccinations and no re-vaccinations.
12. The health of the squadron has been fairly good during the year. The physique
of the men is good
13. It may be said the lines, hospital, and latrines are good, and kept clean and in good
order. The supply of water, though good in quality, is insuffici-
ent in quantity, and likely to become more so during the present
year. The health of the men has been good, but the mortality has increased.
Observations made at Rájkot on the Mean Level of the Sub-soil Water in each month of the year.
L o c a l i t y o r D e s i g n a t i o n o f W e l l .
D a t e a n d H o u r o f M e a s u r e m e n t .
D i s t a n c e o f S u b - s o i l W a t e r b e l o w S u r f a c e o f G r o u n d .
R a i n f a l l f r o m D a t e o f l a s t M e a s u r e m e n t .
W e l l i s s i t u a t e d i n t h e c o m - p o u n d o f B u n g a l o w N o . 3 2 .
F e e t i n .
I n . c t s .
23rd February 1875, at 5 A. M.
1 5
2
. . .
15th March do.
1 4
1 0
. . .
15th April do.
1 5
7
. . .
15th May do.
1 7
4
. . .
15th June do.
2 2
6
0
4 6
15th July do.
2 4
4
4 5 2
15th August do.
2 6
4 ½
6
0
15th September do.
2 2
6
3 1 9
15th October do.
2 5
7 ½
2 2 6
15th November do.
2 9
1 1
. . .
15th December do.
3 0
1 1
0 7 2
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
The lines are satisfactory, and the huts have ample cubage. Water-supply sufficient, but
likely to be short in current year, owing to small rainfall. The conservancy arrangements,
as explained by the medical officer, at times inadequate for prompt service.
Inspected the hospital, 9th February. The accommodation is ample and good, and its
arrangements are all satisfactory, excepting the latrine, which should be removed from the
vicinity of the well, as mentioned in the report.
No. 1 Company, Native Artillery.
RÁJKOT.—In medical charge of Surgeon A. J. LEGGATT; Strength, 124.
Resumé.
1. The Guzerat Mountain Train and No. 1 Company,
Native Artillery, has been stationary during the year in Rájkot.
2. The climate has not been much affected by either the
water or drainage.
3. During the past year new lines, on the standard plan, have been begun for the
company. Two blocks and three separate houses for Native
officers have been completed; they are of a superior descrip
-tion, and in all respects satisfactory. The huts are back to back, and in each block there are
B 66—s
Lines.
Epidemics.
6. There were no epidemics.
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
77
7. Vaccination was carried on regularly. 29 successful primary, and 45 re-vaccinations,
in which only 20 gave good results.
The monthly Rainfall from 1st January to 31st December 1875 at Rájkot.
J anuar y .
Febr uar y.
March.
Apri l .
May.
June.
July.
August .
S e p t e mb e r .
Oc t ober .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
Year.
1875
... 0·80 ...
...
0·30 3·55 3·66 2·71 6·12 ...
...
0·72 17·86
Observations on the Mean Level of the Sub-soil Water.
Locality or
Designation
of Well.
Date and Hour of Measurement.
Distance of Sub-soil
Water below Sur
-face of Ground.
Rainfall from
Date of last
Measurement.
W e l l i s s i t u a t e d i n t h e c o m p o u n d B u n g a l o w N o . 3 2 .
Feet in.
In. cts.
24th February 1875 at 5 A.M.
15 2
...
15th March do.
14 10
...
15th April do.
15 7
...
15th May do.
17 4
...
15th June do.
22 6
0 46
15th July do.
24 11
4 52
15th August do.
2 6
4 ½
6
0
15th September do.
22 6
3 19
15th October do.
25 7½
2 26
15th November do.
29 0
...
15th December do.
30 11
0 72
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON—GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
Health was fairly maintained. Sanitary surrounding generally satisfactory, and, al
-though the men's huts are only of 612 cubic feet each, they have not at any time been us
healthy. Hospital, inspected February 10th, has good and sufficient accommodation; establish
-ment and equipment adequate; the only objectionable point in existing arrangements in
the proximity of the latrine to the well. Vaccination was duly carried on among the
men and their families.
H. M.'s 28th Regiment N. I.
RÁJKOT.—In medical charge of Surgeon A. J. LEGGATT; Strength, 551·2.
1. During the past year the regiment has been stationary. There has been a
detachment at Barda Choki. The detachment at Dwárk
a returned to Rájkot in February, having been relieved by a
company of the 7th Regiment. The company, of which the
detachment at Barda Choki is composed, is stationed for 8 months in the Barda Hills,
which is, perhaps, the most unhealthy place in Kattywar; during the 4 months of the rainy
season it is stationed at Perbandar, a large town situated on the sea-coast, where the men
are put up in pendalls—an inadequate protection against rain
and cold—or else in tents. which are, if possible, worse. The
B 66—t
Location and Movement of
Corps.
Pendalls.
80
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
Observations on the Mean Level of the Sub-soil Water.
Locality or
Designation
of Well.
Date and Hour of Measurement.
Distance of Sub-soil
Water below Surface
of Ground.
Rainfall from
Date of last
Measurement.
M o o c h i e s ' w e l l b e l o n g i n g t o 7 t h R e g i - m e n t N . I . , s i t u a t e d c l o s e t o S t o r e G u a r d , 2 8 t h N . I .
Feet in.
In. cts.
24th February 1875, at 5 A. M.
25
5
. . .
15th March do.
25 3
. . .
15th April do.
25
6
. . .
15th May do.
26 0
...
15th June do.
26 4
0 32
15th July do.
26
7
3
9
15th August do.
24 11
4 63
15th September do.
24 9
3 65
15th October do.
26
9
1 78
15th November do.
2 7
3
. . .
15th December do.
27 2
0 61
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
Results for the year show improved health, but with some increase in mortality. Sani
-tary conditions generally satisfactory, water good, duties moderate, and lines the best in the
division, each hut having 1,350 feet cubage. Permanent latrines are used during 5 months
of the year. Vegetables have latterly been scarce, and some cases of scurvy have concurrently
occurred. The regiment gives a detachment to Barda Choki.
I inspected the hospital, February 9th, and found all arrangements satisfactory, with
ample and good accommodation. Vaccination and re-vaccination were carried on throughout.
Detachment, H. M.'s 28th Regiment N. I.
BARDA CHOKI.—In medical charge of 3rd Class Hospital Assistant SHALLUM SAMSON;
Strength, 87·9.
1. The detachment moved to Porbandar for change of air, and was there from 1st Sep
-tember to 1st December 1875.
2. There are three lines consisting of 204 houses, of which 99 were unoccupied; they
are built on good plinths. No repair has been made during the
year. Ventilation is perfectly good; the bazaar, which is in the
vicinity of camp, contains all necessaries. There are three villages, each about ½ a mile
from the lines. Proper drainage has been made in and about the lines. The rainfall does not
collect about the lines so as to endanger health. There are no tanks; the only well in the
vicinity of camp is close to the lines. The water-supply is sufficient, and there is a river
passing very close to the lines; the water is of good quality, is used for bathing, washing, &c.
3. There is only one latrine for the hospital patients, but none for the lines. The
sanitary arrangement is good.
3. All sorts of grains, &c., obtained in the bazaar, are of good quality and abundant,
and at a cheap rate.
4. The duties are light, each man getting 55/9 nights in bed.
5. There is no separate building for the hospital, but the sick are lodged throughout
the year in the Hibbert Hospital, founded A.D. 1867; is perfect as could be desired. No
over-crowding. The water-supply of the hospital is derived from the same sources as that of
the detachment, the quantity abundant, and the quality good.
Lines.