vii
27. There was 217 cases of guinea-worm treated during the past as
compared with 299 for the preceding year. In the
Presidency division they have fallen from 29 to 14, a
few cases occurring at Bombay and Surat. In the Poona division they have
diminished from 186 to 130. The affection still prevails at Dharwar to a much
greater extent than at any of the other stations of the Presidency. In the 12th
N. I., which is quartered there, 64 cases are recorded in a strength of 685; this,
however, is small when compared with 142 in the year 1871 This great
frequency of guinea-worm at Dharwar shows how impure must be the water-
supply of the troops. In Poona, Sirur, and Belgaum the cases have increased
to a small extent. The percentage of treated to strength for the whole division
is 1.5, which is double that for any of the other three divisions, and this higher
percentage for the Poona Army corresponds with what has been recorded of the
civil population of the Deccan. None of the regiments of the Northern or Sind
divisions have been affected to more than a very trifling degree, the percentage of
treated to strength for the former being 0.8 and that for Sind only 0.17.
27. The cases treated for injuries of all kinds reached a total for the
year of 3,073 as compared with 2,721 for 1874. This
increase is almost entirely due to the greater number of
reliefs and movements which were carried out ; the consequent marching in unsuit-
-able, badly-fitting boots causing the admissions for shoe-bite to become much
more frequent. In the 26th N. I., for example, which marched from Bombay to
Poona, there were 146 treated for injury as compared with 89 for the preceding
year, and the excess is put down to the cases of shoe-bite which occurred during
the march. The 8th N. I. at Poona was engaged for part of the year in line
-building, and had a large number of admissions from contusions, caused princi
-pally through the unskilful handling of the tools used at the work. It is hardly
necessary to say that this large number of admissions for slight injury, although
it raises the percentage of sickness for the whole army, does not in any way
affect the general health of the troops.
27. The general health of the army appears to be fair, and the physique
much as usual, though in some regiments it is stated.
to be below par. The troops of the Sind Frontier
Force, those at Mehidpur, and the wing of the 7th
N. I. at Tanna are noticed as being less healthy than is desirable. In the case
of Jacobabad and Mehidpur the climate is probably the chief factor. In the
former the general health is nearly always unsatisfactory ; then the Deccani
recruit suffers much from intermittent fever during his early service ; but,
judging from the figures of treated in the force, it is seen that there is a great
difference between the numbers admitted in the 2nd and 3rd Regiments, which
indicates something special as the cause of this unhealthiness. The men of
the 1st Grenadiers, Dr. Sylvester thinks, still suffer from the effects of their re-
- s i d e n c e i n G u z e r a t a n d A d e n . C o n t r a r y t o t h e u s u a l s t a t e o f h e a l t h o f N a t i v e
troops at Aden, the Sappers and Miners have enjoyed remarkably good health,
possibly due to their being " picked men". The cantonments of Jacobabad and
Mehidpur are probably incapable of being rendered healthy by sanitary improve-
ments under existing circumstances. The climates of Barda Choki and
Dwârka are said to be very injurious, the former giving rise to malarious fevers
to such an extent as to cause permanent injury to the health of those who
suffer, while that of the latter induces chest-affections and rheumatism. Deputy
Surgeon-General Wyllie recommends that the station of Barda Choki be aban
doned.
Guinea-worm.
Injuries and Contusions.
General Health and Phy
-sique.
30. The movements of corps are carefully detailed by the regimental
medical officers. The movements were the usual
reliefs, and the marching of the troops on Bombay
detailed for duty during the visit of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, and to the
Movements of Corps.