5
15. Cholera.—Considering the great prevalence of cholera amongst the civil
population in 1875, it is somewhat remarkable that in the native army there were
but 88 seizures, and 34 deaths. As some of the regiments were quartered in
stations in which the disease was very prevalent, such an immunity cannot be
considered as merely fortuitous. On the contrary it was no doubt due, in a great
measure, to the various sanitary improvements which have been carried out in
the lines of native corps, and to the great care which is exercised over both men
and followers during the prevalence of an epidemic.
16. Venereal diseases.—The number of fresh admissions for diseases of this
class during the year amounted to 458, and no doubt the chief reason for these
complaints being less frequent amongst Native than European troops is, that most of
the Madras sepoys are married men living with their wives, and, therefore, not so likely
to resort to prostitutes as the unmarried British soldier. It is very probable,
however, that some Native soldiers may suffer from diseases of this class, yet not
seek relief at hospitals, but obtain advice and treatment from private native practi-
tioners.
Venereal
diseases.
17. Health of regiments.—The subjoined table shows the regiments, in their
order of sickness, according to the average of the three years from 1872 to 1874
inclusive, and also for the year 1875. The death-rates in the regiments are also
given for the same periods, and the figures in the adjacent column of serial numbers
indicate the relative positions of corps as to mortality. It will be observed
that during 1875 the average daily sick-rate varied greatly, ranging from 1.13 in
H. M.'s 14th Regiment N.I. at Vellore, to 8.59 in the 41st Regiment at Cuttack.
The amount of sickness in a corps depends to a certain extent on the climate of
the station in which it.is quartered, and also to some extent on that of the place in
which it may previously have been serving. Thus in the case of the 14th
Regiment there can be no doubt, that the high standard of health enjoyed by that
corps was greatly due to the favourable nature of the climate of Vellore. As
regards the 41st Regiment at Cuttack, that regiment has been suffering very
severely from fever, the result, doubtless, of local climatic influences. The 4th
Regiment L.C. had again, as in 1874, the enviable position of not having had a
single death in its ranks during the year.
Health of
regiments.
Regiments.
From 1872 to 1874.
Regiments.
For 1875
.
Rate per Cent. of
Rate per Cent. of
Average Strength
present
.
Average
Strength.
Average Strength
present.
Average
Strength.
S e r i a l Ny mb e r
Da i l y Si c k
S e r i a l N u m b e r
Admi t t ed
S e r i a l Nu mb e r
Died
Seri al Number
Daily Sick
Si r i al Number
Admitted
Seri al Number
Died
9th Regiment M.N.I.
. . . 1 1. 11
1
22.7
7
.65 14th Regiment M.N.I.
. . 1 1.13
3
37.29 31 1.27
33rd do. do.
. . 2 1.11
2
29.76 25 1.04 30th do. do.
. . 2 1. 26 10
49.68 23 1.00
261h do. do.
. . 3 1. 15
12
65.25 11
.76 11th do. do.
. . 3 1.37 13
55. 19 17
.85
25th do. do.
. . 4 1. 17
3
33.01
3
.44
1st do. M.L.C.
. . 4 1.48 12
54.95 21
.98
15th do. do.
5 1. 44 28
92.66 13
.77 33rd do. M.N.I.
. . 5 1. 48
2
37.23 20
.93
30th do. do.
. . 6 1. 64 11
64.95
8
.70
9th do. do.
. . 6 1.56
6
42.85 18
.86
4th do. M. LC.
. . 7 1.80
6
46.90
4
.47 35th do. do.
7 1.66
1
36.36 15
.72
34th do. M.N.I.
. . . 8 1. 80
8
49.04
34 1. 15 36th
do. do.
. . S 1.86 4 39. 13 4 .29
22nd do. do.
. . 9 1. 82. 16
74.09 14
.80
4th do. M.L.C.
. . 9 1.86 14
56.27
1
. .
16th do. do.
. . 10 1. 87
9
58.05 9
.73 Hd.-Qrs., Sap. & Miners. . . 10 1.98 26
75.04 24 1.06
21st do. do.
. . 11 1.92
5
46.30
2
.33 34th Regiment M.N. I.
. . 11 1. 99
S
44. 18
2
.15
38th do. do.
. . 12 1. 93 21
83.74 24 1.04 31st do. do.
. . 12 2.03 33
82.58 12
.57
4th do. do.
. . 13 1. 98
7
47.86 10
.73 32nd do. do.
. . 13 2.05 18
61. 23 45 2.81
1st do. do.
. . 14 2.05
4
45.28
6
.64 21st do. do.
. . 14 2.24
7
43.94 30 1.27
32nd do. do.
. . 15 2.24 27
91. 49 16
.82 38th do. do.
. . 15 2.34 24
72.61 32 1.28
31st do. do.
. . 16 2.30 24
89.28 38 1. 33 10th do. do.
. . 16 2.37 23
70.79 44 2.48
11th do. do.
. . 17 2.31
14
69.80 26 1. 05 26th do. do.
. . 17 2.48
9
48.68 27
1 . 1 4
1st do. M.L.C.
. . 18 2.35 42 149.27 22 1. 01
1st do. do.
. . 18 2.48 30
80.91 34 1.47
17th do. M.N.I.
. . 19 2.36 33
95.89
1
'33
2nd do. M.L.C.
. . 19 2.48 16
57.21
9
.48
Hd.-Qrs., Sap. & Miners.
. . 20 2.50 19
82.02 17
.85 12th do. M.N.I.
. . 20 2.52
5
41. 69 39 1.96
23rd Regiment W.L.I.
. . 21 2.55 26
91. 20 35 1. 18 22nd do. do.
. . 21 2.60 34
84.04 29 1.18
14th do. M.N.I
..
2 2
2.57
13
68.50 44 1. 55
5th do. do.
. . 22 2.61 35
87.21 42 2.21