Rheumatism.
Syphilis.
Principal
cause of
mortality.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Recommenda-
tions.
16
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
marches performed during the year, and probably on that account the cases of blistered feet
were so few.
7. Chronic rheumatism afforded seven admissions.
8.
Primary syphilis gave six admissions only. The men were very free from venereal
diseases of all kinds ; and, considering that no supervision is exercised over the prostitutes of
the town, who are very numerous indeed, it is a fact worthy of mention. There was only one
case of secondary syphilis. Nothing need be said of the remaining diseases.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality. —Of a total of three cases of cholera, two died ; the
disease was of a malignant type, and rapidly proved fatal. Two cases of dysentery died, one of
them was a sepoy, who had suffered from synovitis of the knee, and chronic rheumatism, and was
very anæmic and weak when he got the disease. The other had been reduced to a skeleton by
fever, before he was attacked with dysentery. There were two deaths from diarrhœa : one
case suffered from dyspepsia and debility at the time of attack ; the other had diarrhœa only.
The only case of remittent fever that occurred during the year proved fatal after an illness of
thirteen days ; the man got an attack of diarrhœa before his death. The other deaths were,
one from pneumonia, and one from general debility.
XVIII. Epidemics.—There were no epidemics during the year.
XIX. Vaccination.—On 21st February, 31 sepoys, on whom no marks of protection of
any kind could be found, were vaccinated : and on 13th March, 6 more were vaccinated
:
making a total of 37. The cases were successful, except four. The marks were all character-
istic, but some were better than others. All the men in the regiment are now protected,
either by vaccination, inoculation, or small-pox. There were no cases of smallpox during
the year.
XX. Recommendations.—No recommendations of much importance were required ; all the
suggestions I made were carried out, and every assistance afforded when applied for.
Inspection.
Inspection.—Inspected by the Officiating Deputy Surgeon-General of the
Dacca Circle on the 27th November 1876.
The men of this wing of the regiment are said to have been very sickly
on arrival at Dacca, but since then had improved much in health. This im-
-provement in the general health of the sepoys is considered to have been de
-pendent on lighter duties, and the good sanitary condition of the building
occupied as a barrack, in which the men are located in the middle and upper
floors ; the rooms on the ground floor being used for cooking. The hospital
equipment of medicines and instruments was complete. Mr. Adley inspected
the regiment on parade ; he reports as follows : "The men are of good physique
and robust. They had recovered from their former sickness, and improved in
health since their arrival at Dacca."
Garrison
Dispensary-Fort William.
Inspected by the Deputy Surgeon,-General Presidency Circle, on the 8th
January 1877.
This dispensary was under the superintendence of surgeon J. C. G.
Carmichael, Garrison Surgeon. In it, Mr. Cockburn reports, all the medicines
prescribed by medical officers doing duty in the fort are made up, after the
prescriptions have been seen by the resident Apothecary. The European
soldiers of the garrison are examined here, preparatory to being sent to
hospital if necessary, and also receive medicines for trifling ailments. The
following persons receive medicines from this dispensary, viz., the men, women
and children of the European regiment and battery of Artillery, the staff
of the fort, and the non-commissioned and warrant officers of both the Ord
-nance and Commissariat Departments, men in the Garrison cells, and the sick
in the Hastings Lascar Hospital.
The supply of medicines and instruments was complete, and very
careful-ly looked after.
Hastings
Hospital.
Lock Hospital
—Dum.Dum.
Inspected on the 8th January 1877 by the Deputy Surgeon-General of
the Presidency Circle. This institution is stated to be more of an out-door
dispensary than an hospital, as the sick lascars of the Ordnance, and the drivers
and others of the Commissariat Department living quite close, mostly receive
medicine and live in the lines. There is, however, accommodation for 12 pati
-ents, and any case requiring special treatment or attention is admitted into
hospital. The strength of these men who were treated at this hospital was,
Ordnance Department 759, Commissariat Department 263 ; total 1,022. All
the arrangements in this hospital were satisfactory.
Inspected by Deputy Surgeon-General R. Cockburn on the 30th of Janu-
ary 1877. Surgeon B. Connolly, A. M. D., had been in charge throughout the
year, except from 30th April to 15th June, when Surgeon R. N. Mally,
H. M.'s 40th Regiment, performed the duties.