Epidemics.
Special
observations
and remarks
Inspection.
112
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
XVIII. Epidemics.—As already stated, cholera occurred in Almora during the months of
June and July, but confined itself almost entirely to the native civil population. In canton
-ments a few camp-followers died of the disease, but among the fighting men of the regiment only
three cases occurred at Almora and one at Naini Tal. Measles occurred in an epidemic form in
Almora in April, May and June last among the civil population, from which it spread to the
regimental lines, attacking the children in the barracks, a few cases also occurring among the
sepoys. It also appeared during the same months at Pithoragarh; no fatal cases occurred, the
disease in most instances running a mild course.
XXI. Special observations and remarks. —No cases of individual interest and worth special
report have occurred during the year.
Inspection.—The regiment was inspected by the Deputy Surgeon-General of
the Lucknow Circle on the 21st January 1877. He describes the hospital build
-ing as being in tolerable order, but still unprovided with proper accommodation
for the subordinate medical establishment. The instruments and medicines
were complete, and the latter were in good order. Mr. Cannon examined the
recruits, 10 in number, and considered them to be, with two exceptions, well-
made lads, and quite up to the standard of a Goorkha regiment. Regarding
the health of the district, he makes the following remarks: "The disease
mahamurree, which is prevalent in the neighbourhood, has, as yet, confined it
-self to the very lowest and poorest of the people; but it would be as well if the
sepoys were prohibited from visiting the villages for some time to come. Dr.
Planck is out in the district, burning infected villages, and using every means
in his power to arrest the progress of the disease. "
In forwarding Dr. Govan's annual sanitary report, Deputy Surgeon-General
H. M. Cannon, M.B., makes the following remarks:—
"I am rather surprised at the remarks made in paragraphs VII and VIII, in
which he expresses his regret that orders have been issued for utilising the
pucka masonry latrines, instead of the men being permitted, as formerly, to follow
the dirty habit of resorting to the fields and khuds for purposes of nature. In
1874 I made this the subject of a special correspondence with the Brigadier-
General Commanding the Rohilcund District in my letter No. 946M., dated 20th
November 1874, and, after considerable trouble, had the latrines put in order,
and an establishment sanctioned, which Dr. Govan now regrets to have been
brought into use. There appears to me some inconsistency in his remarks, espe
-cially at the present moment, as he urges that the strictest conservancy arrange
-ments should be carried out at all the villages in the neighbourhood, so as to
keep the face of the country free from filth and odour, as that formidable
disease mahamurree is approaching the station."
SIRHIND DIVISION
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF UMBALLA AND JULLUNDUR)
Average daily strength present during the year Cavalry
382.3
Infantry
124.8
„ „ sick per cent. of average strength
4 . 4 7
4. 93
Ratio of mortality " " "
7.35
Medical
officer.
Location and
movements.
10th Regiment Bengal Cavalry (Lancers)—Umballa.
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon-Major G. V. Currie was in medical charge
.
throughout the year, and
has written the annual
sanitary report.
II. Location and move
- m e n t s .
— T h e
h e a d - q u a r t e r s
of the regiment was at the
Delhi camp of exercise
from the 1st to 29th Janu
-ary inclusive, when it re
- t u r n e d t o U m b a l l a , a n d
remained there up to the
26th of November; march
-ing again to Delhi on the
morning of, the 27th of
November, to take part in the Imperial Assemblage.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871
Sialkot, from Malligam,
103.5
.2
2.8
1872
Nowshera, November
1871
163.8
.4
4.8
1873
Ditto ditto
127.
.6
4.1
1874
Ditto ditto
180.
1.5
5.3
1875
Ditto ditto
108.31
7.06
56.0
Average
136.52
.75
4.52
1876
Umballa, January 1876
147.51
4.47