129
LAHORE DIVISION.
19th (Punjab) Regiment Native Infantry,—Mooltan.
I. Medical Officers.—The medical charge of the regiment has been
held throughout the year by
Surgeon-Major T. S. Veale,
M.D. The left wing of the
regiment at Talagang, and
on the march thence to
Mooltan, was under the
medical charge of 1st Class
Hospital Assistant Mahomed
Shuffee from the 1st January
to the 12th of April. Surgeon
Major T. S. Veale submits
this report.
II. Location and movement s
.—The head-quarters was station-
ed at Mooltan throughout the year. The left wing was located at Talagang till the 18th
March, when it was relieved by the 29th Regiment Punjab Native Infantry, and commenced
its march towards Mooltan, rejoining head-quarters on the 12th April 1876.
III. Topography. —The medical topography of Mooltan has been described very fully in
the medical and sanitary reports between 1870 and 1874.
IV. Meteorology.—The rainfall of 1876 amounted to 6.90 inches, or nearly 2 inches in
excess of the annual rainfall for the district. Of this quantity, 4.50 inches fell on the 31st
July, and 0.83 inch during the first half of August. The rainfall was spread over a
greater number of days than usual, and, except on the 31st July, came down in moderate,
refreshing showers.
V. Lines and huts.—The position of the lines and arrangement of the huts have
been before described. The huts appear to have been constructed in opposition to the
plainest and most obvious principles of sanitary science, and exhibit almost every
possible defect, being low, narrow, ill-lighted and ventilated. Ventilating apertures have been
pierced in the roofs and walls, and light and air enter by large doorways—arrangements which
answer well enough in the hot season, but are not suited to the cold weather, when the temper
-
ature of the air at night falls in December and January to 32°F. There is no appearance of
crowding when the barracks are fully occupied. The buildings have been kept in good sani
-
tary order and repair.
VI. Drainage. —The defects of the surface drainage, and the causes which operate during
the rainy season to obstruct or impede the sub-soil drainage, have been alluded to in a former
paragraph.
VII. Conservancy.—The conservancy arrangements described in last year's report have con
-
tinued in force, and have worked quite satisfactorily. The excreta are treated with dry earth
and buried in trenches. The refuse from the lines is removed daily.
VIII. Water-supply.—The water is drawn from three solid masonry wells, and is ade
-
quately protected from surface pollutions by wooden covers having grated openings, for the conve
-
nience of raising the water and providing for the ventilation of the interior. Diseases of
digestion and primary assimilation are not common among the native troops—a fact which
may be accepted as a practical test of the good and wholesome quality of the drinking water.
IX. Diet.—Food-supplies have been abundant and of good quality. Articles of the first
necessity are dear; vegetables are cheaper, and may be procured in sufficient variety. Fish
and good meat are moderately priced. No instances of scurvy or underfeeding have been
observed. The men looked pale, thin, and out of condition during the prevalence of the
terrible dry heat of May, June and July, the depressing effects of intense heat having been
aggravated by deprivation of sleep, resulting from the intolerable irritation caused by swarms
of mosquitoes and sand-flies.
X. Clothing.—The usual summer clothing of the native troops was worn during the hot
season. Warm cloth clothing was brought into use during the latter part of October—at first
only on night and early morning duties, but subsequently, as the cold increased, on all duties.
XI. Duty and employment. —The troops were only occasionally paraded for exercise during
the hot weather, and the duties were light throughout the year. The regiment furnished a large
number of escorts; and the fort duties are rather heavier than those in cantonments. During
the unhealthy season there was no preponderance of sick in the detachment at the fort, as com
-
pared with the head-quarters. Parades had to be completely suspended during the height
of the epidemic of fever in the months of September and October, and were resumed only on
the 1st November. The health of the recruits suffered most severely, as is usually the case on
these occasions; and on their behalf a medical recommendation was made to exempt them fro
m a l l d u t i e s — a n i n d u l g e n c e w h i c h w a s e x t e n d e d b y t h e C o m m a n d i n g O f f i c e r t o a l l r a n k s o f t h e
regiment—till they should in some measure have recovered from the debilitating effects of this
epidemic sickness. Nights in bed 6.53.
XIII. Marches and service.—The head-quarters was stationed at Mooltan throughout the
year. The left wing remained at Talagang till the end of the cold weather, when it was
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871
Peshawar, November
1868, from Allyghur
117.5
3. 2
2.7
1872
Talagang, October 1871. 114.8
.7
2.8
1873
Ditto ditto
123.9
.5
. 2
1874
Ditto ditto
98.9
.72
1.7
1875
Mooltan, November 1875
81.44 1.01
1.73
Average
107.30 1.22
2.18
1876
Mooltan
301.17
.71
3.99
Location and
movements.
Topography.
Meteorology.
Lines and
huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty and
em-
ployment.
Marches and
service.
Medical
Officers.
H 1