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A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
present carried on, is most defective and objectionable ; the same may with equal truth be
said of the pension regulations ; and I may remark that the recruiting of the regiments from
the Deccan has proved to be a total failure, the recruits deserting in numbers as many as
3 on one day. 2 men were discharged : 1 by court-martial the other for being absent
without leave.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL J . R. MILLER, M.D.
The new lines were completed during the year. They are not, however, "everything that
could be desired", inasmuch as they are wanting in separate accommodation for the men's
horse accoutrements ; and the ventilation would have been more scientific and less annoying
to the men had it been arranged to traverse from side to side under the roof, in place of
from each door to the opening above. Conservancy most objectionable. There are 6 open
enclosures down the centre of each troop ; twice a day these are cleaned out, but the soil is,
of course, saturated with filth. A late analysis of the water shows it to be charged with
earthy salts and otherwise impure ; filters would greatly improve it. The duties have been
light, and have not exercised any prejudicial effects on the health of the men. The Surgeon
in charge recommends the introduction of a gymnasium under proper supervision ; and I
quite agree with him that regular daily exercise should become a recognised part of the
soldier's duties. In addition to the defects in the hospital I formerly reported, I observed at
my late inspection that the floor, which is level with the ground, and the lower portion of the
walls were damp and crumbling, owing to the quantity of salt in the soil. An extra ward
has been proposed to be added to provide the accommodation required, but it would leave un
-touched the other defects just mentioned. Hospital conservancy improved. Disinfectants
much less sparingly used, and the dry-earth system making progress. The latrine, however,
is much too small, and on a wrong principle. Water-supply is the same as for the lines.
Analysis has shown it to be far from good.
Thermometer readings are not of any value, as they are taken from an instrument han
g - i n g u p i n t h e h o s p i t a l v e r a n d a h , f r o m w h i c h h e a t i s , o f c o u r s e , c o m m u n i c a t e d t o t h e i n s t r u m e n t .
With regard to the general health and physique of the men, the surgeon in charge
says :—"These could not by any possibility be much worse." This, however, must be taken
" cum grano salis". It is nevertheless indisputable that the physique is by no means satis
-factory. It is better, however, than that of the other two regiments, but very inferior to
what is observed in Native cavalry regiments in the Bombay Presidency. The general
health has been bad, more so than for the previous year.
H. M.'s 2nd Regiment Sind Horse.
JACOBABAD.—In medical charge of Surgeon M. L. BARTHOLOMEUSZ, M.B. ; Strength, 287.
Location and Movements of
Corps.
1. The regiment is permanently located at Jacobabad,
and furnishes troops for duty at the different out-posts in the
frontier of Upper Sind.
2. In my last year's report all the chief features of the district, which impart to it its
characteristic climate, was dilated upon. The abundant water
now found in Sind and its excellent alluvial soil afford special
facilities for the cultivation, not only of grain and such like commodities, but also of useful
timber trees, which might in time be found to be a new source of revenue to Government.
The cultivation of an extensive tract of forest trees around Jacobabad would, in a great
measure, temper the severity of the excessive heat during the summer months, and at the
same time render this highly malarious atmosphere more congenial for human respiration.
Climate.
3. The regimental lines require to be better ventilated, chiefly in consequence of there
being no separate accommodation for the occupant's saddlery,
accoutrements, &c. The defective ventilation has been re -
ported to the Commanding Officer, and the necessary improvements recommended. The lines
are always kept clean and properly looked after. There has been no change in the con -
servancy of the regimental latrines, except that earthen pans have been provided as recep -
Lines.