Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Medical
Officers.
Location and
movements.
Topography.
174
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Two men of other corps also died in the 5th Goorkha hospital during the year. One of
these belonged to the Guide Corp
s and was on sick leave for tuberculosis, the other was sepoy
of the 21st Punjab Native Infantry, who died from cholera shortly after his arrival in the
station.
XVIII. Epidemics. —The district of Hazara suffered in common with other parts of the
Punjab from the epidemics of cholera and malarious fever which were prevalent over most of
t h e p r o v i n c e d u r i n g t h e p a s t h o t we a t h e r , b u t t h e mi l i t a r y s t a t i o n o f Ab b o t t a b a d e n j o y e d
marked immunity from these diseases. The few cases of cholera that came under treatment
in cantoments were those of individuals who had just returned from stricken localities, and none
of the permanent residents suffered. Quarantine and other measures, based upon the contagion
theory of cholera, were strictly enforced and with apparent success. The roads in the vicinity
of the station are so arranged that, instead of pursuing its ordinary course through canton
- m e n t s , t r a f f i c c a n o n o c c a s i o n s o f e m e r g e n c y b e d i v e r t e d i n t o l a t e r a l c h a n n e l s w h i c h t a k e i t
well away from the station. In short, the station can, when necessary for its own protection,
be completely isolated without entailing loss or inconvenience to the general traffic of the district.
The children of the regiment suffered during the year from an epidemic of measles, mumps,
and whooping cough, but no fatal cases occurred under any of these heads.
XIX. Vaccination.—Vaccine operations are steadily carried on in the manner described
in previous reports, and the system appears to meet with the approval of the Inspector-General
of Vaccination.
5th Regiment Punjab Infantry—Abbattabad.
I. Medical Officers.—Surgeon W. E. Battersby has furnished the follow-
ing report.
The regiment was under
the medical charge of Sur-
geon W. E. Battersby,
M. B. during the entire year. The
detachment at Abbottabad
during the absence of the
regiment at Delhi, and en
-route from the camp of ex-
ercise at Delhi, was under
the care of Surgeon-Major
Johnson, 5th Goorkhas, from
1st January till 10th March.
The small detachments fur-
nished from time to time to
Fort Ughi were under the
charge of Hospital Assis-
tants. Those similarly fur-
ni shed t o Hari pur were under t he Assi st ant Surgeon i n charge of t he di spen-
sary there, in accordance with the prevalent custom.
II. Location and movenments.— T h e r e g i m e n t r e m a i n e d a t t h e D e l h i c a m p o f e x e r c i s e
until the 18th January, when it marched for Abbottabad, reaching that station on 10th March,
since which date it has remained at its quarters. The following detachments were furnished
during the year:—
Detachment left Abbottabad January 1st to 10th March,—strength 207.51. Detach-
ment to Ughi,—strength men; 3rd April to 8th May, 2nd June to 8th July, 2nd August
to 8th September, 2nd October to 8th November, and 2nd to 31st December. Detach-
ment to Haripur,—strength 15 men; 2nd May to 5th June, 3rd July to 4th August, 2nd
September to 5th October, 2nd November to 5th December. Detachment to Thun-
diani—strength 14 men, from 2nd September to 7th October.
III. Topography.—The station of Abbottabad has been frequently described in detail
in the reports of the 5th Goorkhas and other frontier regiments.
IV. Climate and meteorology. —The climate during the 9½ months of the year, which
were spent by the regiment in this station; was in every respect agreeable and pleasant; the heat
was not intense, though comparatively trying to Europeans during August; the spring and
winter months most enjoyable. I must repeat what I said in last year's report as to the
extreme desirability of having careful and regular meteorological observations taken at this
semi-hill station; and now that the Meteorological Department has been re-organised, such
observations may henceforward be more easily obtainable.
V. Lines.—The lines, as mentioned in last year's report, are old and badly situated, and
are very unfavourable in contrast with those of the 5th Goorkhas and Battery in this station.
The rooms are narrow and ill-ventilated; new huts are much wanted.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871
Dera Ismail Khan, Jan.
1869
123.5
3.2
1872
Dera Ghazi Khan, Mar.
1872
210.4
4.4
1873
Ditto ditto
169.9
1.
3 9
1874
Abbottabad, Nov. 1873
225.5
4.5
1875
Ditto ditto
95.79 1.65
3.27
Average
165.01 .53
3.85
1876
Abbottabad
94.01
.54
2.51
C l i ma t e a n d Me t e o r o l o g y .
Lines.