60
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Special
observations.
XXI. Special observations.— In my report for 1874 I dwelt upon the fact, that the causa
-tion of fever at Deolee might, very possibly, be attributed in a great measure to the want of
shelter by trees or verandahs in the lines of the regiment. That same condition equally applies
to 1875. As regards Jhansi and Sambhur, I am unable to form an opinion, as both places are
unknown to me. With reference, however, to Deolee, there is a subject worthy of consideration
which may account for the higher rate of sickness and the greater daily average sick in hos
-pital than has been the case for some years before the regiment came here, premising that
there are no apparent external causes of disease, that is to say, there are no low jungles or
marshes; the drainage is good, soil dry, no great variations in temperature, water good, food good
and plentiful. The duties have not been heavy, and the men have been well clothed. Yet,
in comparing this station with the one previously occupied, viz., Pindi, there is a marked
difference in the sick-rate per cent of men actually present; for, whereas in Pindi it
amounted to 2.4., in Deolee last year it was 5.5 per cent. In one way only, in addition to
what I have already remarked, can this be accounted for, viz., in the insanitary condition of the
station and its surroundings. There are no latrines, and the conservancy arrangements are
very defective. The cantonment itself is small, the lands of native states enclosing it on all
sides. Sentries are posted at certain points of the boundary of cantonments, morning and
evening, in order to enforce the order that all natives shall go outside the boundary for
purposes of nature. In spite of what may be thought to the contrary, the immediate
neighbourhood of cantonment on most sides is often offensive in the extreme. As this system
has now been in practice 18 years, the ground has become polluted, and it is scarcely a new idea
to imagine that this pollution of tile soil, under climatic influences, produces a contamination
of the air which may, and surely does, give rise to such effects upon all constitutions, under
its influence, as to render them more prone to disease, and less amenable to treatment. In this
way only is it accountable that in this station, which should be very healthy, admissions into
hospital have been numerous and the sick-rate high.
Twenty-two men were invalided for discharge, 75 or 4.7 per cent of the whole strength.
It must be borne in mind, however, that this regiment was enlisted for the mutiny, and that
many men were taken at an advanced age. Out of the 22, seventeen were discharged on
account of old age; one man also enlisted in 1857, was discharged on account of obesity, which
unfitted him for riding. Two men were invalided in consequence of injuries received on
parade; one on account of enlargement of the spleen, and another with chronic rheumatism.
Thirty-one recruits were received during the year of a fair average stamp, of whom, however,
five were subsequently discharged by the commanding officer as unlikely to make good soldiers,
and a sixth man was struck off for bad conduct.
Deolee Irregular Force—Deolee.
Medical
Officers.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1870 . . . Deolee . . .
177.3
1.1
6.3
1871 . . .
D o . . . .
130.9
1.2
4.4
1872 . . .
Do. . . .
100. 1
1.4
5.1
1873 . . .
Do. . . .
95.8
1
4.6
1874 . . .
Do. . . .
112. 6
1.4
4.1
Average
123.34
1.52
4.9
1875 . . . Deolee . . .
117.57
.57
4.52
Surgeon-Major F. W. A.
DeFabeck has submitted the
annual sanitary report, from
which the following infor-
mation has been obtained.
I. Medical Officers.—
Surgeon-Major F. W. A.
DeFabeck from 1st January
to 14th April 1875. surgeon
D. P. MacDonald from 15th
April to 13th December,
during the absence of the
former on sick leave.
Location and
movements.
II. Location and movements.—Head-quarters at Deolee during the whole year.
Detachment as follows :—
D e s t i n a t i o n .
Date of departure.
Date of rejoining.
Jeypoor . . .
22nd September 1874 . . .
20th April 1875.
Agent, Governor General's Escort . . .
26th " " . . .
16t h Mar ch "
Beekaneer . . .
25th October " . . .
2nd May "
Kotah . . .
16th November : . . .
10th June "
Bhurtpoor . . .
4th December " . . .
15th April "
Beekaneer . . .
25th March 1875 . . .
2St h November "
Bhurtpoor . . .
27th " " . . .
. . .
Jeypoor . . .
7th April " . . .
4th December 1875.
Kotah . . .
30th July " . . .
30t h Oct ober "
Agent, Governor General's Escort . . .
20th December ". . .
. . .
Jeypoor . . .
30t h November " . . .
. . .
Bhurtpoor . . .
26th December " . . .
. . .