2
A SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
7. The average daily number of sick during the year was 6·3, and the total number of
admissions was 133, which latter were furnished by 74 men in
the following proportion:—44 men admitted once, 18 twice, 6
thrice, 1 four times, 3 five times, 1 seven times, and 1 nine times.
Number of first admissions
74
Number of re-admissions
for the same disease
19
59
for a different disease
40
Total
133
The health of the detachment has been fairly good throughout the year, although the
number of men treated and the number of admissions into hospital have slightly exceeded
those of the year 1874. Of the 133 admissions, 21 were due to malarial fever, 2 of them being
remittent in type; they all recovered. 20 admissions were caused by diarrhœa and other
bowel affections, all of which proved easily amenable to treatment. 9 men were admitted
for chronic rheumatism; in one of these the disease was complicated with scurvy, and the
man died while in hospital from sudden syncope. Syphilis has furnished 6 admissions (2
primary and 4 secondary); one of these, when convalescent, was sent on leave to his country
and died there, the immediate cause of death being unknown. 2 men suffered from
phthisis: one died in hospital, and the other has proceeded on sick leave to his country.
Bronchitis and pneumonia gave 16 admissions; they all recovered. One man was admitted
no less than nine times during the year for various ailments; it is satisfactory to be able
to state that he has been invalided. A sepoy who suffered from melancholia was transferred
to the Colaba Lunatic Asylum. No cases either of cholera or small-pox were admitted during
the year.
8. 4 men were sent on medical certificate to their own country during the year,
their diseases being as follows:—1 laryngeal catarrh—rejoined,
and died in hospital from phthisis; 1 chronic rheumatism,
1 syphilitic cachexia; 1 phthisis. 12 men above 15 years' service were sent before the
General Invaliding Committee and obtained their pensions; their disabilities were as fol-
lows:—9 old age, debility, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema; 1 asthma; 1 chronic syphilitic
ulceration of leg; and 1 varicose veins.
9. 2 deaths occurred in hospital—1 from phthisis, and 1 from sudden syncope in
a patient under treatment for rheumatism and scurvy com
-bined.
Sickness, Mortality, and Invalid
-ing.
Invaliding.
Mortality.
Vaccination and Re-vaccination.
10. These have been regularly practised; the results are
shown in the following table:—
VACCINATION.
RE-VACCINATION.
Number of
Primary
Operations.
Successful. Unsuccessful.
Number of
Persons
operated on.
Number of
Persons
operated on.
Successful. Unsuccessful.
22
20
2
21
7
6
1
Right Wing of H. M.'s 7th Regiment N. I.
TANNA.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major BOUSTEAD; Strength, 301.
1. This wing of the 7th Regiment has been stationed here during the past three years,
there have been no changes or movements of the detachment since its arrival.
2. The general health of the detachment may be considered fair, since Tanna is consi-
dered a bad and enfeebling station, situate as it is in a basin or hollow surrounded by hills
that are covered with jungle, and with swamp and rice-fields all around. The effects of the
climate of Tanna on the men cannot be otherwise than enervating and injurious, having an
average rainfall of 120 inches; and it would, I think, be better to relieve the wing every two
years instead of retaining the same detachment at Tanna four successive years, as has been
done on this occasion.