xxi
considerable benefit has resulted through their agency, but it nevertheless
appears to be highly desirable that the large towns and cities in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of all our military contonments, as well as those villages,
huts, &c., in which a large number of unregistered prostitutes reside, should
be brought under the wholesome surveillance of the Contagious Disease Act.
It would seem to be the general opinion, that the soldiers more commonly
contract venereal diseases from women who live outside the boundaries of
cantonments, and are unregistered, than from those who are duly registered
and periodically examined.
54. I would draw attention to the remarks of the medical officer of the
5th Goorkha Regiment at Abbottabad regarding the Eucalyptus, or Australian
gum-tree. He considers it possible that the salubrity of Abbottabad, and the
immunity which it has of late years enjoyed from severe outbreaks of fever, may
be partly due to the introduction of the Eucalyptus which is now growing freely
throughout the station. These trees were first planted in 1866, and since then
their growth has been so rapid that the medical officer states many of them
have already attained the dimensions of forest trees, being upwards of 100
feet in height.
The
Eucalyptus
Globulus, or
Australian
gum tree.
55. The sanitary reports of some medical officers contain interesting re-
marks on various medical and surgical cases which came under their observa- ,
tion and treatment during the past year. While regretting very much that I am
unable to reproduce the history of these cases in the present volume, as they
bear ample evidence of the interest that regimental surgeons take in their
professional duties as well as of the ability and industry with which they
perform them, I would again point out that the columns of the Indian Medical
Gazette, and of other periodicals, are always open for the publication of inter-
esting cases in practice, and are the most fitting places for their discussion
and illustration.
Reports of in-
teresting
cases,
56. It has again given me great pleasure to observe that some very import-
ant surgical operations, such as laryngotomy, lithotomy, amputations, &c.
, h a v e b e e n s u c c e s s f u l l y p e r f o r m e d b y r e g i m e n t a l m e d i c a l o f f i c e r s , w h o , t h o u g h
military hospitals do not in time of peace afford many such cases to be cure
d o r r e l i e v e d b y o p e r a t i v e s u r g e r y , w i l l , I f e e l t h o r o u g h l y c o n v i n c e d , s h o u l d t h e
occasion ever arise, prove themselves equal to all emergencies, and be still
further deserving of that confidence already reposed in them by their brother
-officers and the Government of India.
57. In conclusion, I may state as my opinion, that the sanitary condition
of the Native Army during the past year appears to have been thoroughly satis-
factory on the whole, and to have been the subject of careful supervision
both by commanding and medical officers. Such a result is due in no small
degree to the cordial co-operation displayed on all occasions by commanding
officers in carrying out the recommendations of their regimental surgeons.
The equipment of the hospitals, in all that relates to the comfort and
proper treatment of the sick, has been quite sufficient, and no recommendation
made with a view to improvement has been overlooked by the Government when
brought duly under its notice.
Surgical oper-
ations.
The sanitary
condition of
the Native
Army and hos-
pital equip-
ment has been
very satisfac-
tory.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient servant,
J. FULLARTON BEATSON, M.D.,
Surgeon- General, Indian Medical Department.