iii
with that of the Central India Force. From the known unhealthiness of certain
stations for sepoys recruited from the Upper Provinces and Oude, such a high
admission-rate is not surprising, and the lower rate in other districts may be
dependent in great part on a drier and more equable climate, as well, as on the
lighter duties the sepoys have had to perform. A dry and equable climate
may possibly exert a great influence on the admission-rate of the Central India
Force, which has been considerably lower than any of the others.
The admission-rate of the Madras troops (although much lower than that
of either the Regular Army or Punjab Frontier Force) was higher than that
of the Central India Force; and, as the conditions of climate were much the same
for each, perhaps the circumstance of the Madras sepoys having to serve in
what is to them a foreign country, or of having their families and relations with
them, so that they cannot afford to take a sufficiently nourishing diet, will
account for this apparent anomaly.
5. Reviewing the statistics supplied in Statement No. II still further, I
may say that there has been but slight variation in the proportion of "daily
sick" per cent. of average strength in the Bengal Army and its component
parts during 1876 and the four preceding years, and whatever there has been
was in favor of the year under review. The Punjab Frontier Force had, as
usual, the highest proportion of daily sick; then the Regular Army, and lastly
the Central India Force. It will be observed that the difference between the
two former was but trifling, while that between the daily sick of the Central
India and Punjab Frontier Forces amounted to 1.16 per cent. The daily sick
of the Bengal Army, taken as a whole, was but 3.91 per cent. and may be con-
sidered as very satisfactory. In the Madras regiments, the proportion of daily
sick was only 2.59 per cent. of average strength.
6. In the Bengal Army, the proportion of the total mortality to the total
strength was at the rate of 1.47 per cent., or 14.7 per mile. Such a result may
be accepted as very favorable, and is particularly so when the great differences
in the climate and other essential particulars of the many stations in this large
Presidency are taken into account. The death-rate was highest in the Regular
Army; but it has varied little from what was recorded in any one of the four
preceding years. The Punjab Frontier Force stands second in its death-rate,
which, for the past year, was 43 per cent. lower than the average of the four
preceding years. The mortality in the Central India Force was at the low rate
of .93 per cent.
In the Madras regiments, the mortality was at the rate of 1.23 per cent.,
which, although a favorable one, was nearly 1 per cent. above the average of
the four preceding years.
7. The number of men constantly sick in hospital, and whose services
were therefore lost to Government, was 2,103, or equal to 2.94 battalions, each
of 715 men, against 3.02 in 1875 and 3.27 in 1874. Each case was uncles
treatment for an average of 9.89 days against 11.02 in 1875 and 11.2 in 1874,
and each sepoy of the entire army spent 12.28 days in hospital, against 13.03
and 13 days in 1875 and 1874, respectively. In addition, also, 1,185 men, of
1.89 per cent. of total strength, proceeded on sick leave against 2.02,1.6,2.08,2.4
and 2.10 in the preceding quinquennial period. The number of days spent on
sick leave by these men was 150,314, which gives an average of 410 . 7 men
constantly absent on this account, or equal to .57 of a battalion. It will thus
be understood from the foregoing figures that 1,595.7 men were permanently
ineffective from sickness during the year, or at the rate of 2.96 per cent. of
strength (present); a number equal to a loss of 2.2 battalions of 715 men. In
1875 and 1874, the proportion of men constantly ineffective was 4.88 and 4.86
per cent.
8. The total number of deaths was 922 against 1,026 and 819 in 1875 and
1874, respectively. Of these, 555 occurred in hospital, against 674 and 536 in
1875 and 1874, 13 occurred in the lines, as compared with 33 and 25 in 1875
and 1874, and 354 men died when absent from their regiments on sick leave,
&c., against 319 and 258 in 1875 and 1874. The death-rate calculated on the
strength "present" was 1.05 per cent. during 1876, against 1.32,1.06,1.35,1.03
and 1.76 in each of the five preceding years, so that it has fluctuated but very
slightly during this period. The proportion of deaths in hospital per cent. of
Daily sick.
Mortality.
Statistics of
sickness.
Statistics of
mortality.