PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE.
199
overcrowding cannot be avoided. The wards were badly lighted and inadequately
warmed. This regiment enjoyed better health during 1875 than in any previous
year since 1871. Fewer cases of phthisis fell under observation, malarial fevers
and bowel-complaints declined, and although diseases of the respiratory organs
were more or less prevalent during the winter and spring, yet pneumonia did
not occur until the end of March, when it furnished 13 admissions and 3
deaths.
5th Regiment, Punjab I nfantry—Abbottabad.
Surgeon W. E. Battersby, M.B., has submitted the annual, sanitary report
of this regiment for 1875.
I. Medical officers.— S u r g e o n -
Major S. Mackertich continued in
medical charge of the regiment
from the commencement of the
year until the 10th May, when
he proceeded to Europe on fur-
lough, and was then relieved by
Surgeon W. E. Battersby, M.B.,
who has remained in medical
charge up to date. On the de-
parture of the regiment on the
18th October en ronte to the Delhi
camp of exercise, Surgeon-Major
Johnson, 5th Goorkhas, assumed
medical charge of the detachment
and invalids left behind at Ab-
bottabad. The detachments fur-
nished from time to time (alternately with the 5th Goorkhas) to Fort Ughi and to Haripur
were under the medical charge of hospital assistants.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1870
Dera Ismail Khan, Janu-
ary 1869
174.4
1 . 8
3.6
1871
Ditto ditto
123.5
...
3.2
1872
Dera Ghazi Khan, March
1872
210.4
. . .
4.4
1873
Ditto
ditto
169.9
1.
3.9
1874
Abbottabad, November
1873
222.5
...
4.5
Average
180.14
. 5 6
3.92
1875
Abbottabad
95.79
1.65
3.27
Medical offi-
cers.
II.
Location and movements. —The regiment continued to be stationed at Abbottabad
from the 1st January to the 17th October. On the 18th October it marched en route to the
Delhi camp of exercise, where it arrived on the 9th December and remained till the close of the
year, having left behind at Abbottabad a detachment numbering 210 men.
The following detachments were furnished by the regiment during the year:—
(1.)
3 5 m e n t o H a r i p u r f r o m t h e 2 n d J a n u a r y t o 5 t h F e b r u a r y .
(2.) 53 men to Ughi from 2nd February to 9th March.
(3.) 35 men to Haripur from 2nd March to 5th April.
(4.) 53 men to Ughi from 2nd April to 8th May.
(5.) 35 men to Haripur from 1st May to 5th June.
(6.) 53 men to Ughi from 2nd June to 8th July.
(7.) 105 men to Ughi from 25th June to 8th July.
(8.) 35 men to Haripur from 3rd July to 8th August.
(9.) 81 men to Ughi from 3rd August to 7th September.
(10.) 35 men to Haripur from 2nd September to 7th October.
(11.) 61 men on escort duty with the Deputy Commissioner of the district from 22nd
April to 6th May.
IV. Meteorology and climate. —No regular meteorological observations
were recorded owing to the want of proper instruments. The climate, during
the winter months, is described as being cold and windy with occasional falls of
rain; but no snow fell during the year 1875. During the spring and summer
months, the climate was equable and very pleasant,—cool in the mornings
and at night, and at no time was the heat intense.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology
and climate.
The lines of the regiment are reported on as being in a very low position
and close to cultivated fields, and during the rainy months are on this account
considered to be damp and unwholesome. No description has been given of the
huts or barracks as regards their state of repair, the amount of accommo-
dation, or the ventilation in them.
The drainage of the lines was considered to be fair, and the conservancy
arrangements are stated to have been fairly good. No latrines were in use,
and consequently the men had to resort to the fields for necessary purposes.
The water - supply was ample, of good quality, and taken from wells. All
the articles of food on sale in the regimental bazaar were of good quality and
abundant. Vegetables were brought into the bazaar in large quantities and were
sold at a cheap rate. Mr. Battersby states that the men were on the whole
well nourished, and all signs of scurvy, which had to some degree existed in
the regiment previously, soon disappeared.
Water-supply.
Lines.
Drainage.