Principal
causes of
mortality.
Vaccination.
Topography.
Climate.
Lines.
Water.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duties.
Hospital.
38
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Inspection.
The foregoing figures do not call for any remark: they contrast favorably with 1875, and
with all or any of the years preceding.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.—One death occurred from each of the following
diseases: enteric fever, sloughing erysipelas, phthisis pulmonalis, and pneumonia. This is a very
favorable death-rate, as compared with any of the preceding years, and does not call for any
remark.
XIX. Vaccination.—None. Every sepoy is carefully examined before enlistment; and if
he is not protected by previous variola as evidenced by cicatrices or by vaccination, he is at
once vaccinated. Not one case of small-pox occurred in the regiment during 1876.
Inspection.—The regiment was inspected by the Deputy Surgeon-Gen
-eral of the Agra Circle on the 12th January 1877. Dr. Thorpe remarks
that the ventilation of the huts has been improved by making openings in the
central walls; the huts have also been rendered more comfortable by the
supply of jhamps to the outer doors. The new hospital is expected to be ready
for occupation before the rains set in; medical details carefully attended to.
24th (Punjab) Regiment Native Inf antry—Jhansi.
Medical
Officers.
Location and
movements.
I. Medical Officers.—Surgeon H. J. Linton relieved Surgeon F. W.
Wright of the medical
charge of the regiment,
which has remained at
Jhansi throughout the year,
on the 1st September, and
continued in charge for the
remainder of the year.
II. Location and movements . —
Detachments were stationed at
Lalitpur (73 men) and Sipri (26
men). These were changed quar
-terly. On the 9th November, a
detachment of one officer and 158
men marched to Nowgong to
occupy the barracks vacated by a
detachment of Her Majesty's
63rd Regiment.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871 . . .
Meean Meer, Oct.1870 . . .
136.2
1.2
4
Ditto
d i t t o . . .
273.6
1 . 9
4.3
1872 . . .
Ditto
ditto . . .
166.6
2.5
3.07
1873 . . .
Jhansi, 9th Feb. 1874
103.1
1.42
2.75
1874 . . .
Ditto . . .
122.10
.86
3.79
1875 . . .
Average . . .
160.42
1.57
3.58
1876 . . .
Jhansi . . .
133.47
. 5 7
3.29
III. Topography has been fully described in the reports of 1874 and 1875. The
nullah referred to in last year's report has been cleared thoroughly. This is the only change in
the station during the year.
IV. Climate.— As regards climate the year was a favorable one, the highest reading
being 113.0 against 115.9 in 1875. The rainfall shows 43.4 against 25.8 in 1875.
V. Lines.—The lines have been kept clean, well-drained, and have not been
at any time overcrowded. Gumlahs and filth receptacles have been in use in
the latrines since April 1874, and have proved a decided success.
VIII. Water.—Water is obtained from pucka wells, and is of good quality and sufficient.
IX. Diet.—No
case of underfeeding has come to my notice. The men appear to be
well fed and in good condition. The bazar supplies are good and sufficient.
X. Clothing.—The clothing of the men is good and suitable to the climate. In compli
-ance with an order issued by the Commanding Officer, every man is provided with a warm
razai before going to hospital.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
XI. Duties consisted of the usual guards, parades, &c., with musketry. Nights in
bed equal to 8.27.
XIV. Hospital.—Described fully in former reports. During the past year it has been
kept clean and well ventilated. It was overcrowded once during the year for a few days
only. The patients are well clothed and comfortable. The lighting and ventilation were well
attended to. All the patients are sent out of the building twice a day for a couple of hours,
and this tends to keep the air of the hospital somewhat purer than it would be otherwise. All
the out-houses are in good repair and kept clean. The latrine and cook-houses are clean
and in good order.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding .—Strength of the regiment—
Present . . . 614.33
Absent
.
.
. 77
Total . . . 691.33