Ventilation of
the hospital.
Hospital
drainage and
latrines.
Hospital
water-supply.
General
conclusions.
SAUGOR CIRCLE.
119
Surgeon C. A. Harvey was in medical charge of this corps during the year,
arid reports as follows
Climate of the station.— The climate on the whole has been favourable to health, although the
great range of temperature varying from 105º in the shade in the hot weather to 36º, and some
-
times even to the freezing point in the colder months is very trying to some constitutions. In
April, May, and the greater part of June the temperature was very high with hot westerly winds,
but there was very little sickness in those months. There were most admissions in August and
September, owing to the prevalence to some extent of the various types of intermittent fever. In
January and February, also in November and December, the climate was cold and invigorating
and extremely agreeable to Europeans ; but the sepoys seemed to feel the cold keenly, and there
were some admissions for pneumonia, bronchitis, and rheumatism in these months.
Natural features of the district.— The cantonment of Nagocte is situated on an undulating plain
about one mile to the west of the native town of the same name. North latitude 24º 34" and east
longitude 80º 37." It is in the Baghelkund Division of the Central India agency, and its elevatior
above sea level is about 1,100 feet. The surrounding country is somewhat undulating
intersected by numerous nullahs (which are dry the greater part of the year) and cultivated n
many places. To the north of the cantonment the ground is to some extent marshy during the
rains.
Diseases of the district. —Epidemics of cholera and small-pox are of frequent occurrence in the
native town of Nagode, the sanitary state of which is very bad. Malarious fevers of different types
are common in the district, and splenic enlargements are often seen. Diseases of the respiratory
system, rheumatism, and other catarrhal affections are observed in the cold weather, but not as
frequently as might be supposed. Many of the inhabitants are affected with partial paralysis of the
lower extremities, said to be caused by eating "muttir dhal" ( Lathyrus sativus ) which forms the
principal part of the food of flip
p o o r e r c l a s s e s .
Ventilation and drainage for the men's huts.— The drainage of the lines is now very satisfactory;
the old V-shaped drains, which it was found very difficult to keep clean, having been replaced by
open saucer-shaped drains of masonry, one of which runs along either sides of the streets. The
fall is to the south, where all the street or subsidiary drains join a larger one of the same descrip
-
tion, running east and west ; and this in its turn unites at the south-east end of the lines with a
drain of like construction, which conducts the sewage water into a large nullah, from whence it passes
into the Nagode river. These drains are swept daily and flushed with water twice a week.
Water-supply.— The supply of water has been abundant, and was obtained from five wells in the
lines. The quality of the water is good and suitable for drinking and cooking ; it is, perhaps, a
little hard, due to superabundance of salts of lime. The wells are surrounded by stone parapet
s
covered in by a platform of cross beams and provided with pulleys to aid in drawing the wafer.
Diet.— With the single exception of rice, provisions have been cheap and plentiful and
vegetables abundant. The men have received compensation on account of dearness of rice every
month during the year.
Climate of the
station.
Natural features of the
district.
Diseases of
the district.
Ventilation
and drainage
for the men's
huts.
Water-supply
Diet.
Duty and exercises.— Average number of nights per week in bed 6.20.
Exercises.— The recruits are made to practise dumb-bells two or three mornings in the week
which is the only regular provision in the way of games or gymnastic exercises. Occasional,
cricket matches are played, in which some of the men participate, while a few spend their leisure
moments in shooting, fishing, and other pastimes. The majority of the men when not on duty
lead a very idle life. loitering about the lines and bazaar, or sleeping in their huts all day.
Epidemic diseases.—No epidemic in the regiment. Early in April cholera broke out among a
number of workmen engaged in building a bridge about a mile from the cantonment. The
epidemic soon spread to the native town of Nagode, and was not long in making its appearance in
most of the surrounding villages ; but owing to the precautions that were at once taken to cut off
all communication with infected localities as far as practicable, its importation into the lines and
cantonment was happily prevented. Cholera continued to prevail with more or less severity in
the town of Nagode and in some of the neighbouring villages until almost the end of the hot
weather.
Ventilation of the hospital.— The hospital is well ventilated by means of doors, windows, an
d
an elevated ridge on the roof. No representations were made.
Hospital drainage and latrines.— The drainage of the hospital is very good. The dry-earth
system of conservancy is in use in the hospital latrine, and the aid of coal tar and such disinfect
-
ants as carbolic acid and McDougall's powder keeps the place free from all offensive odours.
Two iron receptacles have recently been supplied for the latrine. No representations were made.
Hospital water-supply.—The water-supply has been good and sufficient, and was procured fro
m
a well close to the building.
General conclusions.— Total number of admissions during the year 361, more than half of which
were for the different types of malarious fevers. Of 197 cases of fever treated, 144 were of the
quotidian variety, the tertian and other forms being of comparatively rare occurrence. The fever
in most instances was mild and readily amenable to treatment. Splenic enlargement was an
unusual sequence and convalescence seldom protracted. September and October gave the larges
number of admissions, viz ., 71 in the former and 63 in the latter month, this increase
i n
sickness being due to the prevalence of the fever alluded to above. The hot weather was the
healthiest portion of the year, there being scarcely any illness in April, May, and June.
Duty and
exercises.
Exercises.
Epidemic
diseases.