108
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Vaccination.
XIX. Vaccination .—There were no cases of vaccination during the year.
Recommenda -
tions.
XX. Recommendations.—Towards the end of the rains the grass on the regimental
parade-ground was very long, and when the mornings became chilly, was always very wet.
About this time admissions into hospital for ague became very numerous. As it was believed
that these were brought on in a great measure by chills, due to the conditions above described on
the early morning parades, it was recommended that these parades should take place an hour
later, when the sun had well risen. This suggestion was at once adopted by the officer com
-manding, and was at once followed by a very striking diminution in the daily admissions for ague.
Special
observations
and remarks.
XXI. Special observations and remarks.— There was nothing during the year deserving of
very special remark. It has been noticed how the ill effects of residence at Alipore pursued
the regiment and caused in a very great measure the invaliding, sickness, and mortality. At
present, with the exception of a few men who will have to go before the annual invalid
-ing committee, the physical condition of the regiment is in the highest degree satisfactory.
The change to a healthy station, such as Moradabad is, where the duty is light, and the
two marches at the cool season of the year have been very beneficial in obliterating the
effects of the residence at Alipore.
Inspection.
Inspection.—The regiment was inspected by Mr. H. M. Cannon on the
15th December 1876. On the day of inspection there were no sick under treat
- m e n t , b u t t h e h o s p i t a l b u i l d i n g w a s i n g o o d r e p a i r , a n d h a d a l l i t s e q u i p m e n t s
complete. The Deputy Surgeon-General considered the huts to be the worst he
had ever inspected; they were built on well-raised and well-drained ground,
but are placed without any regard to order, and crowded together, besides being
exceedingly low, without ventilation. These huts were covered with a thin,
badly-made grass thatch, quite insufficient to keep out either the heat, rain or
cold; and this state of things must, in the opinion of the Deputy Surgeon-
General, influence more or less the health of the wing of this regiment.
The latrine system (moveable screens) was properly carried out.
Moradabad
Lock Hos-
pital.
Moradabad Lock hospital. —Surgeon-Major J. Barnewell, A. M. D.,
has been in charge throughout the year. The hospital was inspected on the 15th
December 1876 by Mr. Cannon, Deputy Surgeon-General, who was well satisfied
with all he saw. The number of prostitutes remaining last year was 57; the
number added to the register during the year under review was 22,—thus making
a total of 79. Twenty-seven removed their names, absconded, &c., and 52
remained on the rolls on 31st December 1876. Of the 11 admissions, one was
for gonorrhœa, 8 for primary and 2 for secondary syphilis. No cases remained
in hospital for treatment at the end of the year. The following table clearly
exhibits admissions among the European troops per 1,000 strength for all forms
of venereal disease, and for the primary forms of disease contracted for 1876
and the three previous years:
Years.
All forms per 1,000 strength. Actual primary disease to ratio
per strength of 1,000.
1873
168.43
147.90
1874
227.66
166.60
1875
247.52
113.86
1876
116.27
60.46
Left half-Battalion 28th Regiment Punjab Native Infantry.
Medical officers.
I . M e d i c a l O f f i c e r s . — S u r g e o n - M a j o r E . A . F i t z g e r a l d f r o m 1 s t J a n u a r y t o 1 3 t h N o v e m b e r , a n d a g a i n f r o m 2 1 s t N o v e m b e r t o 3 1 s t D e c e m b e r ; S u r g e o n
S. H. Browne, from 13th to 21st November. The latter-named officer has
compiled the annual sanitary report.
Location and
movements.
I I . L o c a t i o n a n d m o v e m e n t s . — The wing was encamped at the Mobarrik Bagh, Delhi, from
the 1st to the 27th January, from whence at once it marched to Shahjahanpur, arriving there on
February 19th, and remaining there until the 21st November, when it again marched to Morad-
abad, to rejoin the head-quarters and right wing and proceed with them to Delhi; again encamp-
ing at the Mobarrik Bagh, and remaining there until the end of the year.
Meteorology
and climate.
IV. Meteorology and climate. —The climate of Shahjahanpur is very healthy, and no
disease is especially prevalent, with the exception of that ubiquitous one, malarial fever, which,
however, is mild in type. The hot weather of 1876 was unusually severe, the rains being very
late and scanty at first. The cold during the months of December and January is very try-
ing to natives generally, and caused several admissions for chest complaints.