Medical
Officers.
Location and
movements.
Topography.
Lines, &c,
Drainage.
Conservancy.
184
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
29th (Punjab) Regiment Native Infantry— Peshawar.
I . Medical Officers.—Surgeon J. Young held medical charge of the regiment from the
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1870
... Jhelum, Nov. 1869, from
116.6
3 . 7
3.
Moradabad to Shahja-
hanpur.
1871
...
Ditto, d i t t o
...
92.8
.4
2.3
1872
...
Ditto,
ditto
...
145.9
1.2
4.7
1873
... Peshawar, Feb. 1873 ...
277.2
1.8
5.5
1874
...
Ditto,
ditto
...
237.1
1.
5.4
Average
...
...
173.92
1.62
4.18
1875
...
Peshawar ... ...
236.33
1.42
4.97
1st to the 22nd of January,
and Surgeon J. McConaghey for
the remainder of the year. The
Doaba outposts were under the
charge of Surgeon Daphtary, and
the detachment at Cherat was
under Surgeon-Major Meane,72nd
H i g h l a n d e r s .
Surgeon J. McConaghey
has written the Annual
Sanitary Report.
II. Location and movements.—
The head-quarters of the regi-
ment remained at Peshawar
throughout the year, furnishing
the following detachments :—
Station.
From.
To.
Strength.
Michni
...
1st January
...
3rd February
...
89 men.
Shabkada
...
1 s t M a r c h
...
.
1st April
...
90 , ,
Michni
...
1st May
...
30th June
...
89 , ,
Cherat
...
1st July
...
2nd August
...
116 ,,
Shabkadar
...
1st September
...
2nd November
...
90 , ,
Michni
... 1st December
... 31st December
... 89 , ,
These detachments were relieved monthly in the cold, and bi-monthly in the hot, season.
The topography and physical geography of Peshawar and surrounding districts have been
often fully described in former reports.
V. Lines, &c.—The regiment occupied the same lines as in 1873 and 1874, and were fully
described in the former year by Dr. Gardner. They have been kept very neat and in good
Order, and the barracks and huts in good repair and thoroughly clean. The ventilation is not
what it might be, but in no case could disease be traced directly to this source. There was
little or no overcrowding owing to the number of men almost constantly away on detachment
duty.
VI. Drainage.— The lines are well drained by narrow saucer drains, and a number of
sepoys are deputed weekly to keep them clean, and see that no stagnant water remains in or
a b o u t t h e l i n e s .
VII. Conservancy.— The same system of conservancy existed as in 1873 and 1874, and
worked admirably during the nast year.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
Amusements,
&c.
Marches.
Water-supply.—The water-supply is the same as described in the report of 1873.
All the tanks, both those for bathing and drinking purposes, were thoroughly cleaned out in
the beginning of last hot weather. No clothes are washed in the immediate vicinity of the
tanks used for drinking or cooking purposes.
IX. Diet.—The diet arrangements are the same as in former years. The standard
articles of food, such as grain, ghee, milk and vegetables, have been very plentiful, and sold at
moderate rates in the regimental bazaar. Very few cases of under-feeding came under observ-
ation. A ration of rum is sunnlied to the Sikhs of the regiment on payment.
X. Clothing.— Besides the usual regulation dress, posteens are worn by the men on all
night and morning duties, and also constantly when in undress during the cold season. This
article of dress adds no doubt very much to the comfort of the men as noticed in former re-
ports, and many chest affections and bowel complaints are warded off by its use. Ammunition
boots are worn on duty ; native shoes generally in undress.
XI. Duty.—The duties, as is ordinarily the case with the native troops in the Peshawar
garrisons, were very heavy, but it could not be shewn in any instance that they exercised a
prejudicial effect on the health of the men. The average number of nights in bed has
been 2.72.
XII. Amusements, &c.— The men are so much occupied by their duties, that little time is
left them for amusement ; however, many of them find it a great source of pleasure as well as
profit cultivating the regimental gardens, which are kept in very good order. The recruits are
exercised at the gymnasium morning and evening, and many of the sepoys join them in the
hot season, when wrestling matches and other feats of strength often take place, and, are
encouraged buy the officers.
XIII. Marches.—The head-quarters of the regiment remained at Peshawar throughout
the year, furnishing the detachments detailed in para. II.
H ospital.
XIV hospital.—The hospital buildings and out-houses were kept in moderate repair
during the year, and afforded sufficient accommodation for the sick of the regiment, the average
being considerably less during the autumn months than in the two previous years, when it was
found necessary to pitch tents for the excess. The brick floor so strongly condemned in former
reports has been slightly improved. The hospital is kept fairly warm by means of good fires
and purdahs to each door. Chicks were supplied for the outside doors in the beginning of last
hot weather by the commanding officer, which added very much to the comfort Of the patients.