MEERUT DIVISION. 85
The hospital affords more than Sufficient accommodation for the sick of a
cavalry regiment. The sandstone flooring has been extended to the verandahs.
On the east side of the hospital the doors have not been glazed. All the hos-
pital Medicines and instruments were in a satisfactory condition. Mr. Smith
inspected the men of this regiment, and reports that a most marked improve-
ment had taken place in their general condition and physique during the time
they had been in camp. It may be worthy of remark that the level of the
subsoil water, which, it is stated, had risen during the last seven years, fell
during 1876 to the extent of 18 inches; but the cause of the fall was not apparent
at the time when the inspection report was written.
5th Regiment Native Infantry—Meerut.
Hospital.
I. Medical Officers. —The undermentioned officers have held medical charge
of the regiment during the
year: Surgeon G. S. Gunn,
from 1st January to 14th
February; Surgeon J. L.
Corbett, from 15th February
to 15th April; Surgeon-
Major T. P. Wright, from
16th April to 13th October;
Surgeon R. Macrae, from
14th October to 31st Decem-
ber; Surgeon H. P. Yeld
held medical charge of the
detachment at Umballa, and
on the return march, from
1st January to 28th February. Surgeon R. Macrae has prepared this sanitary
report.
II. Location and movements. —The head-quarters of the regiment was stationed at Meerut
from 1st January to 19th October. On the 20th October it proceeded in course of general
relief by regular marches to Bhagalpur, and arrived there on the 31st December. A detachment,
with an average strength of 264.77 men and 3 European officers, was either at Umballa or on
the return march from 1st January to 28th February.
III. Topography, &c. —From personal observation, I am unable, in consequence of my stay at
Meerut being only for a few days, to add anything to what has already been written in former
reports on the general and sanitary condition of the station ( vide Annual Report of Native
Army for 1869).
V. Lines, &c.—I am aware of no change which took place during the year in the state of the
lines, huts, &c., which have formerly been described.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage, as formerly reported, is still by surface drains, and works
fairly well.
VII. Conservancy, &c.—All the reports tend to show that the conservancy arrangements
worked satisfactorily.
VIII. Water-supply.—At Meerut the water-supply is reported on as being abundant and
good. At two or three places on the march, the water had to be brought from a distance:
there was always an abundant supply procurable, generally from wells, and of good quality.
IX. Diet.—The bazar in cantonments worked satisfactorily, and on the march the arrange-
ments were very good indeed. On no occasion had the men any difficulty in procuring their
daily allowance of rations. The regimental bunniahs were made to carry an extra supply of
provisions for two days to meet emergencies, in the event of supplies not being procurable in the
district. Atta, dall, rice, ghee, milk, vegetables, &c., were invariably found on marching into
camp. Before being purchased by the bunniahs, the supplies were daily inspected by the
quartermaster and a committee of native officers, and any article of inferior quality was
rejected.
X. Clothing. —No change has taken place, and on the whole it is nearly all that could be
desired. Boots of the ordinary ammunition pattern are worn, but in my opinion, until better
chosen, and until stockings are worn, they are not at all well suited to the native soldiers on
the march. They seem to be selected on the principle of convenience in taking them off and
putting them on. In marching, the foot is always, moving about in a too large boot, and from
friction becomes chafed and blistered. All men with sore feet during the march had orders to
report daily at hospital. Forty-two men presented themselves: eleven of these on two occasions,
and one on three. They invariably suffered from small blisters either on or near the instep, or
behind the ankle—parts entirely uncovered by a native shoe. The only treatment we found neces-
sary was cleanliness and the wearing of the native shoes. I am of opinion that the universal adop-
W
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871 . Benares, January 1868
f r o m D a c c a .
101.5
. 7
3.5
1872 . Meerut, November 1872 173.7
.8
4.
1873 .
Ditto . . . 241.1
.9
5.4
1874 .
Ditto . . . 250
1.9
5.4
1875 .
Ditto . . .
86.81
.2
2.35
Average .
. . 170.62
.9
4.33
1876 . Bhagalpur, Dec. 1876 . 116.54
.99
2.23
Location
and moove-
ments.
Topography,
&c.
Lines, &c.
Drainage.
Conservancy,
&c.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Medical
Officers.