Principal
causes of
s i c k n e s s .
Bronchitis due to in
-creased night
duty.
PRESIDENCY DISTRICT.
3
XVI. Principal causes of sickness .—The most numerous cases were from diseases of
malarial falling
origin, and in nearly all there was a falling off in the numbers treated. This may be
attributed to healthier climate, better water and better food during 1876. The following
diseases have increased in number: debility, 44 cases against 16, and brow ague, 13
cases against 2. This increase is due, I consider, to the decrease of intermittent fevers
during the year 1875. Men suffering from any complaint of periodic character, or from debility,
were almost sure to be also attacked by fever, which thus became the prominent symptom of the
case. During the present year fevers prevailed to a smaller extent, and did not so commonly
accompany debility and brow ague. Bronchitis shews an increase of 7 cases, 33 against 26,
probably due to increased night duty. Itch again gives a large number of admissions, 23, but
shews a falling off of 6 cases as compared with last year. It was shewn in last year's report
that the prevalence of itch amongst men of cleanly habits was probably due to their sleeping
close together, as they did at Jalpaiguri, on the same machans, and also whilst in camp for
more than seven weeks. This statement seems to be borne out by the fact of 17 of the cases
having been treated during the first quarter of the year, and 21 during the second quarter,
the disease thus ceasing gradually when the men got separate charpoys on coming into the
Fort. There were only 3 cases of spleen treated; this alludes to cases when enlargement of
the spleen was the prominent symptom and persisted, and does not take account of those cases
of temporary enlargement during fever.
Average number of
d a y s i n
h o s p i t a l .
The average number of days in hospital per company was 1,263; and the four companies
in the north and south barracks were, taken together, rather below, and those in the bomb-proof
rather above, the average. The north and south barracks are the best ventilated and lighted
and the driest, but they are deficient in space. The bomb-proofs are imperfectly ventilated
and lighted, and they are damp in the rains, but contain sufficient space. It seems probable,
therefore, that the bomb-proof barracks are the least healthy, as the left half battalion which
now occupies them is more unhealthy (as shewn by days in hospital) . than the right half
battalion; whilst last year the opposite was the case.
The regiment consists principally of high-caste Hindoos; but there are also other Hindoos,
Sikhs, Mussulmans, and Christians. The following table shews the numbers and admissions
to hospital of the different castes or religions:—
Numbers. Admissions.
Chutree and Rajput
248
313
Brahman
168
169
Mussulman
102
81
Sikhs
92
62
Others
1 0 4
2 0 4
Here the Sikhs and Mahomedans are the most healthy. The reason for this is not evident,
but it may be that these two races are able to take a less restricted and more varied diet, which
renders them better able to live in a strange climate. Twelve cases of bruises, sprains, &c.,
were admitted from the gymnasium, where some of the men went through a course. None of
the cases were serious.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.—There have been 9 deaths during the year,. of these
I was in the regimental hospital from debility; a second, in another hospital from dysentery.
Three men died while on sick leave from the following complaints: 1 from debility, 1 from
diarrhœa, and 1 from fever; but the causes of their deaths are not known, nor are those of the 4
others who died whilst on leave; 2 of them are believed to have died from cholera.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
XVIII. Epidemics.—None.
Epidemics.
XIX. Vaccination—Has been carried out in 30 cases during the year. The recruits who
have not been vaccinated invariably state that they have either had small-pox or been inocu
-lated, and generally shew some scar on the fore-arm or hand.
Vaccinatio
n.
XX. Recommendations.—The recommendation made had reference to increased hours of supply
of drinking-water, and change of uniform in the cold weather. These have been complied
with.
Recommend
-
ations.
XXI. Special observations and remarks .—The health of the regiment has, on the whole,
considerably improved, and the number of deaths has fallen from 18 to 9. It is impossible
to compare the health of the whole regiment with that of last year, as there were so many
changes in locations and numbers of men employed on different duties during that period.
It may be said that for the whole regiment there is an improvement, whilst the health of the
left wing, which was at Dacca, has fallen off. For the whole regiment there were 12,699 days
spent in hospital in 1875 and 10,106 in 1876; but in the former year there were only 10.97
days in hospital per admission against 12 .22 in the present year. Up to the end of the year the
improvement in health has been more or less continuous, the amount of sickness having
been greatest during the early part of the year. The regiment, while fairly healthy, cannot
be said to be very much so; for, by looking back at the returns for the six years preceding 1872,
in which year the regiment came to Lower Bengal, we find that, at Fyzabad, Moradabad and
Shahjahanpur, where the climate, food and habits of the people. are agreeable to the sepoys of
the 16th Regiment, the admissions never exceeded 62.] 0, deaths 1.6, and daily average sick
3.2 per cent. of strength for all that time.
Special observ- ations and remarks.
Venereal diseases have, as before, been few in number, only 13 cases having been treated
during the year. This immunity from venereal disease has always been remarked on. Four
cases of leprosy were shewn as treated during the year; of these one was discharged to duty
after consultation on the case. Of the remaining 3 cases, one was a typical case with a
Venereal diseases.
Leprosy.