SIHRIND DIVISION.
115
32nd (Punjab) Regiment Native Infantry (Pioneers)—Umballa.
I. Medical Officers.—The changes in medical officers have been so
frequent in the regiment
during the year, that it is
necessary to give their names
and dates of tenure seriatim.
From 1st January to 31st
March Surgeon W. E. B.
Moynan was in medical
charge; from 31st March to
2 21st April, Surgeon H. P.
Yeld; from 22nd April to
2nd June, Surgeon-Major
G. V. Currie; from 3rd June
to 6th October, Surgeon R.
Macrae; from 7th to 20th
October, Surgeon-Major G. V. Currie; from 21st October to 20th December,
Surgeon-Major T. P. Wright; from 21st to 31st December, Surgeons-Major
F. G. Constant and A. J. Dale. Surgeon Yeld held charge of the detachment
which remained at Umballa. The time this detachment was separated from
head-quarters was from 1st January to 11th February. Surgeon-Major A. J.
Dale has written the following report:—
M e d i c a l officers
II. Location and movements.—The 1st January found the head-quarters of the regiment
at the camp of exercise, Delhi, where they remained till the 28th, when they commenced their
return march towards Umballa, arriving on 11th February. During this time a detachment,
averaging about 195 men, remained at Umballa, forming a depôt. From the 11th
February to the 16th November the entire regiment was quartered at Umballa. On this latter
date it commenced its march in course of relief towards Jhelum, where it arrived on 19th
December, and remained there till close of year.
Location and movements.
V. Lines, barracks or huts.—Described in previous reports. No alterations were made. The
barracks were kept in a fair state of repair; were well ventilated; and those for unmarried men
were not overcrowded; but the married quarters, as is invariably the case with Pioneer regi
-
ments, were occupied beyond the legitimate capacity. With so many women and children,
it is impossible to prevent a certain amount of overcrowding in the married quarters of
these regiments. The lines at Jhelum were not fully occupied till the beginning of January,
and will be described in next year's report.
Lines, barracks or huts.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage of lines and immediate neighbourhood was efficient, and
was carried out by a system of small drains running into a large nullah.
Drainage.
VII. Conservancy, &c. —Trench system in use during the year, which worked well. There
are also two latrines in the lines for night use. The conservancy arrangements were good and
well worked, filth carts conveying all refuse daily from lines and station.
Conservancy,
&c.
VIII. Water-supply .—The water-supply was from wells situated at some distance, the
water being conveyed into the lines by brick channels; the supply was sufficient and quality
good. The men bathed in tank water collected in the lines: clothes were washed in another
tank at some distance.
Water-supply.
IX. Diet.—Bazar supplies were of good quality. The unmarried men eat together, having
a cooking-house and cooks to each company. These feed well as a rule; but the married men
are often obliged to stint themselves and to eat inferior food. Vegetables were abundant, and
prices fair. The bazar was regularly inspected, and was kept in good order and well stocked.
What may have been their condition during the year I cannot say; but at an inspection
made at the end of December I found a number of men ill-nourished and apparently poorly-fed,
but they attributed their attenuated state partly to their having suffered much from fever.
Diet.
X. Clothing .—When in uniform, the men are well and suitably clad, both in summer and
winter, but many are poorly clothed in winter when out of uniform. Ammunition boots and
putties are worn: the former seem tolerably well fitted.
Clothing.
XI. Duty and employment have not been excessive, and have consisted of ordinary garrison
and regimental duties, and have not been prejudicial to health. The number of nights
in
bed has averaged 6 in 7.
Duty and employment
.
XIII. Marches and service.—The regiment marched from Delhi to Umballa, starting on 28th
January, doing the distance in 14 days. Whilst at Delhi it was encamped at Budlee-ki-
Serai. After reaching Umballa, it remained there till 16th November, when it commenced its
march in course of relief towards Jhelum, arriving on thirty-third day. In consequence of
the men having suffered much from fever during the autumn, the number of sick and convajes-
cents was heavy during this march, but the men began to improve immediately they reached
Jhelum.
Marches and service.
XIV. Hospital.—Hospital accommodation has been described in former reports. The venti-
ation was good, and till August the hospital was not occupied to near its capacity; but in that
month and during September and October, owing to the large number of admissions from
Hospital.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871
Ranikhet, Oct. 1868
73.1
1.7
2.1
1872
Umballa, Feb. 1872
209.8
2.2
4.4
1873
Ditto, ditto
171.3
1.8
3.5
1874
Ditto, ditto
176.7
1.9
7.4
1875
Ditto, ditto
98.16
.98
2.71
Average
145.81
1.71
4.02
1876
Umballa
191
.99
3.60