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A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
rior, with eaves ventilation ; water abundant and good ; food cheap ; masonry latrines in use
throughout with dry earth—a satisfactory arrangement. Hospital accommodation very suit
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able, and out-offices complete, excepting the want of a separate contagious ward. At my
frequent inspections in course of the year I invariably found all arrangements for the sick
satisfactory. Vaccination was duly carried on among the men and their families. Dr.
Johnson remarks on the system of cutting the pay of recruits for their regimental neces
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saries ; this is a matter that appears to me to deserve attention.
H. M.'s 1st Squadron, 1st Lancers.
BARODA.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Maior H. A. LEWIS ; Strength, 158.1.
1 . T h e s q u a d r o n h a s b e e n s t a t i o n a r y s i n c e t h e 2 1 s t J a n u a r y 1 8 7 5 . O n t h e 2 8 t h A p r i l
35 men marched into the city, and remained there until 1st
July : since then the squadron supplies, weekly, for the city
guard 16 non-commissioned officers rank and file.
2 . T h e r e s u l t o f t h e c o n f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u n t r y a n d t h e n a t u r e o f t h e s o i l i s , t h a t
during the hot months the heat is great, oppressive, and moist,
and after the rains malarious fevers abound, as well as bowel
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complaints, chest-affections, and ophthalmia.
3. The men on their arrival were encamped near the Native infantry lines until the 15th
of March, when they occupied two rows of the huts situated on
the left flank of the 22nd Native Infantry lines. The latrines
belonging to the 22nd regimental hospital are used. The sanitary arrangements in the lines
are properly conducted. The water-supply is obtained from the Native infantry wells. The
meat-supply is abundant, but both beef and mutton are indifferent in quality. There is a
variety of country vegetables to be obtained in the bazaar.
4 . T h e d u t i e s c o n s i s t o f p a r a d e s a n d g u a r d - m o u n t i n g . T h e y w e r e h e a v y a t f i r s t , b u t
they have not affected the health of the men. Number of conse
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cutive nights in bed, 7. The sick are treated in the 22nd Native
Infantry hospital.
5 . T h e r e w e r e 2 2 3 a d m i s s i o n s f r o m a l l c a u s e s ; 9 1 o f t h e n u m b e r w e r e f r o m f e v e r s ,
chiefly ague. Deaths none. 3 men were invalided, and 1 was
discharged by court-martial.
6. The causes of sickness were, chiefly, fevers, from which there were 91 admissions.
41 cases of contusions were treated during the year, some of
a severe nature, the result of falls and kicks from horses ;
others were often the cause of shoe-bites. There were 9 admissions from catarrhal ophthal
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mia, all of which were mild in their symptoms. 9 cases came under treatment for subacute
dysentery. I found small doses of ipecacuanha, combined with a few grains of Dover's
powder, to be very useful in the cure of these cases.
7. 9 children were vaccinated in the lines.
Location and Movement of
Corps.
Climate.
Lines, &c.
Duties.
Sickness, Morbality, and Inva
-
liding.
Principal Causes of Sickness.
General Health.
8. The health of the men is, on the whole, fair, and their
physique good.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M. D.
The squadron arrived from Poona at the beginning of the year, and has since occupied
part of the Native infantry lines. The huts are old ; cubage only 650 feet. Water-supply
ample, and of fair quality.
Hospital inspected 5th January. Establishment efficient ; building (originally a schoo
l -
room) is that now used by the 22nd Regiment N. I. It is in poor repair, and the accom
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modation is barely adequate in autumn, when ague is very widely prevalent. Vaccination
among the families was attended to.
H. M.'s 9th Regiment N. I.
BARODA.—In medical charge of Surgeon H. P. ROBERTS ; Strength, 648.3.
1. The regiment has been stationed at Baroda during the greater portion of the year. A
detachment of 350 men was furnished for a guard in the city
from the 28th April till the middle of May ; since that time a
detachment, varying in strength from 50 to 100 men, forms the
city guard every alternate week. The regiment was kept for some months under canvas,
a n d l o c a t e d t o t h e w e s t o f t h e c a n t o n m e n t .
Location and Movement of
Corps.