248
Medical
Officer.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
for drying earth, has been for some time in use, but was used only by the native
officers and a few of the men.
The medicines, &c., in hospital were in good condition. Dr. Bow ex
- a m i n e d t h e m e n w h o w e r e p r e s e n t i n t h e l i n e s , a n d r e p o r t s t h a t m a n y o f t h e m
were healthy-looking, but some had ulcerated and discoloured gums.
38th Regiment native Infantry-Baxa.
I. Medical Oflicer. —This report has been written by Surgeon W. M.
Courtney, who held medical charge of the regiment throughout the year.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1870
Fyzabad, November 1868
85.8
1.4
2.3
1871
Ditto ditto
44.4
1 .
2.3
1872
Ditto ditto
121.9
1.6
2.9
1873
Baxa, March 1873
137.3
7.1
7.5
1874
Ditto ditto
150.7
3.7
10.6
Average
108.
2.9
5.1
1875
Baxa and on the march
136.96
1.64
5.44
I I . L o c a t i o n a n d m o v e -
ments. -The regiment was
stationed at Baxa Dooar
from 1st January to 24th
November 1875. On the
latter date it marched for
Barrackpore viâ Cooch Be
-har, Jalpaiguri, Titalyah,
Purneah and Calcutta; at
the latter place it was en
-camped on the maidan from
23rd December during the
visit of the Prince of Wales.
IV. Meteorology.—The temperature and rainfall are given in the following table:—
H i g h e s t i n m o n t h .
L o w e s t .
M e a n o f a l l h i g h e s t .
M e a n o f a l l l o w e s t .
M e a n d a i l y r a n g e .
A p p r o x i m a t e m e a n f o r m o n t h .
RAI N.
WIND.
N u m b e r o f d a y s i t f e l l .
A m o u n t .
D i r e c t i o n .
inches.
W e s t b y d a y a n d n o r t h b y n i g h t .
B a x a D o o a r , 1 8 7 5
90.5 47
7 6 . 3 3
67.23
9.24
71.96
133
154
Ditto, 1874
85.
46
72.
6 6 .
6.1
69.
173
238
Lines and
barracks.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Boots.
The highest temperature recorded was 90.5° in September, and the lowest 47° in January.
The greatest monthly range was in December, when it amounted to 26º. The rainfall was less
than in the preceding year, being only 154 inches, as compared with 238 inches in 1874.
The season 1875 was a hot one, which might be attributed to the diminution of the rainfall.
A further residence of a year at Baxa tends to confirm the favourable impression of the climate
as regards the health of Europeans; but with respect to Natives, the same cannot be said. At
no period of the year was it necessary to use punkahs, nor were mosquitoes troublesome.
V. Lines and Barracks. —No change since previous year; many of the huts and barracks
required extensive repairs. Each barrack is 86x20 feet, affording 68 superficial feet and 653
cubic feet per man. The huts and barracks in the fort are wretched hovels, and should be
pulled down and rebuilt; those in the pickets are in good condition.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage, which is natural and good, has been described in previous
reports.
VII. Conservancy and Latrines. —The filth is collected by station sweepers, and is carried
outside and below cantonments. All the men resort to the jungle for purposes of nature.
VIII.
Water-supply.—The same as in 1874. The water is obtained from springs out-
side the fort; it is clear and good, but causes goitre. The number of springs vary according
to the season of the year: there are generally six. Owing to the nature of the soil, and the
natural position of the springs, the water is always in a pure state. There were 43 cases of
goitre.
IX. Diet.—The same as in 1874. The men sometimes complained of the sameness of the
diet, and an endeavour was made to remedy it by issuing rice instead of atta or maida whenever
the men preferred the change. The supply of vegetables was scanty, as is usually the case at
Baxa, and this was the cause of several cases of scurvy. Milk was also difficult to obtain.
X. Clothing.—Reported last year. In many cases where recruits were admitted to
hospital, their supply of bedding and clothing was found inadequate, and application was made
to the regimental authorities to repair the deficiency. The boots are the ordinary ammunition
pattern supplied to the Native Army. There were 41 cases of blistered feet, but most of these
occurred during the march from Baxa.