Principal
causes of
mortality.
Epidemics.
Delhi Lock
Hospital.
Charge.
112
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Principal
causes of sick
-ness.
XVI. Principal causes of sickness. —The principal causes of sickness have been: ague,
569 admissions, against 301 in the previous year; mumps, 31 admissions; chronic rheu
- m a t i s m , 5 7 , a g a i n s t 2 8 i n t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r ; c o n j u n c t i v i t i s , 9 a d m i s s i o n s ; a f f e c t i o n s o f t h e
lungs and bronchiæ, 16, against 12 in the previous year; dysentery, 46 admissions, against
27 in 1874. This disease, though more frequent, has not been of a severe type. Gonorrhœa
and primary syphilis have only given 6 admissions. Affections of the skin, including ulcers
and boils, 28 admissions, against 35 in 1874. Boils were much more common in the compara-
tively moist climate Of Allahabad. Blister of the foot, 37 admissions, against 63 in 1874,—
vide para. X. Total admissions 903, against 635 in 1874. In almost all classes of
disease, with the exception of skin disease and blistered feet, 1875 compares unfavourably with
1874.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.— T h e r e h a v e b e e n 5 d e a t h s , o f w h i c h 4 o c c u r r e d
in the regimental hospital, viz., ague 1, cholera 1, general dropsy 1, and pneumonia 1. The
death out of hospital took place in the regimental hospital 34th Native Infantry, from phthisis
pulmonalis.
XVIII. Epidemics.—The only epidemic has been one of mumps. The first case occurred
in July, and no other case appeared till September 1875; after which, cases continued to be
admitted till the end of the year. The total number of cases was 31. They were not confined
to any particular caste or class of men; but cases were most frequent among the recruits and
younger sepoys. The epidemic was not affected by the move of the regiment into camp, where
men continued to be admitted, though all cases occurring in camp were immediately transferred
to the depôt hospital. There was one case of cholera. The patient was living away from the
barracks when attacked. No cases occurred in the barracks or regimental lines.
Vaccination.
Recommenda
-tions,
XIX. Vaccination. —Of 119 men vaccinated during the year, rather more than half
resulted in a perfect or modified pustule. The regiment is believed to be efficiently protected
from small-pox.
XX. Recommendations.— Recommendations have been made with regard to alterations
and improvements in the regimental latrines, viz., the substitution of dry-earth for river sand,
and that separate enclosed spaces should be made for the purpose of ablution at either end
of the latrines; and that the ventilation of B and C companies barracks should be improved
as, detailed in paragraph V of this report.
Inspection.
Delhi boil.
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General J. N. Tresidder inspected the hos
- p i t a l a n d l i n e s o f t h i s r e g i m e n t o n t h e 2 2 n d F e b r u a r y 1 8 7 6 . H e r e p o r t s t h a t
the ventilation of the barracks had been much improved, and may now be
considered sufficient. The water-supply was derived from wells, and from a
branch of the canal which came through the lines and filled a large pucca
tank; towards the latter end of the year, the duct got out of repair, and the
supply of canal water ceased, with the result that the well water deteriorated
and appeared daily to be getting worse.
Owing to want of space, the "trench system" of latrine had not been
introduced, but the regimental latrines had been much improved since Mr.
Tresidder's previous inspection; the accommodation afforded by these latrines
was sufficient, but still some of the men prefer to go to a considerable distance
outside the city wall for necessary purposes. The hospital equipment was found
to be complete.
The "Delhi boil" had made its appearance in the regiment, and Mr.
Tresidder considers that it was caused by the use of well water, as, since the
supply of canal water ceased, the regimental and dispensary returns showed
a marked increase in the number of persons who came under treatment suffering
from these
b o i l s .
Delhi Lock Hospital.—Inspected by Mr. Tresidder on the 27th February
1876. He describes the hospital building as being well suited to the purpose
for which it is required, and is well supplied with medicines, furniture, &c.
Surgeon E. N. Johnson, 33rd Regiment Bengal Infantry, was in medical
charge, and the Deputy Surgeon-General reports that he conducted the
duties satisfactorily. On the day of inspection, there were 197 prostitutes on
the register, of whom 13 were in hospital; there had been, it is stated, a marked
diminution in the numbers of admissions from venereal diseases amongst the
European soldiers in garrison since the month of May 1875.