Vaccination.
Recruiting.
104
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OP THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Epidemics.
Inspection.
Urinals.
Hospital.
Physique.
Lock
hospital.
Statistics.
Cost of estab
-lishment.
XVIII. Epidemics.—Meerut suffered from a sharp outbreak of cholera towards the end
of the hot season and during the rains, affecting the European troops, the 4th Bengal Cavalry,
and the native community generally throughout the station. The 5th Native Light Infantry,
however, enjoyed a complete immunity from the disease, not a single case having occurred in
the regiment.
XIX. Vaccination.—None were vaccinated during 1875; but from 20th January to 30th
January 1876, vaccination is being actively carried on amongst the recruits and camp followers.
XX
Recruiting.—Eighty-three lads presented themselves for enlistment during the year,
of whom 70 were entertained, and 13 rejected; 5 were rejected on account of physical disability
and 8 from being otherwise inefficient. Average chest measurement of these recruits, 33.05
inches; average height, 5 feet 8 inches ; average stated age on enlistment, 20 years.
Inspection .—Inspected by the Deputy Surgeon-General of the Meerut Circle.
No alteration had taken place in the lines since last inspection, but the huts were
in good order and general cleanliness prevailed. During the rains there was a
large collection of water to the east of the lines, which rendered the locality
swampy and unhealthy. The trench system of latrine is now reported on as
being thoroughly established in the regiment, and it was ascertained one day
that out of a strength of 541 men no less than 525 men resorted to it.
The urinals in use in this regiment are said to answer admirably, and are very
simple in construction, viz., " a small space enclosed by four walls is constructed
in the rear of the lines, one serving for every two companies. In this enclosure
an earthen vessel deposited in a naund is placed; all the urine is thus collected
and the contents are removed daily; there is no offensive smell perceptible in
these urinals, and they are used exclusively by the men."
No alteration has been made in the hospital building, which has been de
-scribed in previous reports. The "batten doors" which so often have been made
a subject of complaint and remonstrance still exist, and a dead-house has not as
yet been built. All the arrangements in hospital for the comfort and treatment
of the sick were quite satisfactory.
Mr. Smith reports that a marked improvement has taken place in the
physique of the sepoys since the introduction of a system of gymnastics into the
regiment, and the exercise has become very popular amongst them.
Lock hospital, Meerut.—The following information has been taken from
the inspection report written by the Deputy Surgeon-General of the Meerut
Circle. No alteration has been made in the hospital during the year. The area
of registration embraces the city and all villages in the circle of four miles
from cantonment boundaries, and includes a population of some 130,000
people.
On the 1st January, 89 prostitutes were borne on the register, and their
average strength during the year was 84.5, which, for the area of registration,
seems to be a very small number, and one which has been decreasing since
1871. During the year 46 women were treated for gonorrhœa and 27 for pri
-mary syphilis, and these figures are said to show a decrease in the amount of
disease among the registered prostitutes. The cost of the establishment is
Rs. 171 monthly, and it is entirely defrayed from the cantonment funds.
The average strength of the European garrison at Meerut was 1,435.13,
and from it there were 118 cases of venereal disease admitted, or at the rate of
8.29 per cent.; this is said to show a decrease of 1.05 per cent. of disease on
the returns for 1874.