Epidemics.
Vaccination.
75
CENTRAL INDIA.
I will content myself with noting here that guinea-worm, as heretofore (though only tak
-
ing about the third place as regards the number of admissions), from the tedious nature of
the processes by which the worm is gradually extracted, and the extensive suppuration which
it almost invariably excites, contributes a large share of the number of days in hospital.
For example, during the past year the total number of days in hospital for 414 total
treated has been 3,759; whilst the total number for 52 treated for guinea-worn was 677,
much less, however, than the usual average.
A free use of the knife would, in many cases, very much accelerate the progress of the
disease ; but the Bheel sepoy has so great a dislike to " cold steel" in the form of surgery,
that one of my predecessors, finding that the men were beginning to desert rather than go
to hospital, was obliged to revert to the old " expectant" system of treatment. Their dislike to
operative surgery is clearly evidenced by the statistics of the little dispensary at Khairwara,
in which no more than two or three capital operations are performed in any one year; though
it is so popular in other respects, that the number of new cases treated during 1875 by far
exceed the total population of the station. The causation of guinea-worm has been touched
on by me in connection with the water-supply in my return for 1874, and I have no original
information now to communicate.
For the great difference between the statistics of disease at head-quarters, and those of
the Kotra detachment, I would also refer to my return for the past year (1874), as well as to
suggest that the greater rain-fall of the latter place may be, more or less, responsible for the
greater prevalence of fevers, rheumatism and chest diseases.
XVII. Principal causes morlality.— The total deaths in hospital were but 4; two
cases of lobular pneumonia at Kotra, and 1 case of encephalitis, and 1 of phthisis pulmonalis,
at head-quarters. Out of hospital 3 deaths occurred,-1 of dysentery, 1 of erysipelas
(phlegmonous). and 1 of which the disease was not known.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
XVIII. Epidemics.—There were none. The whole district was remarkably free from
disease.
XIX. Vaccination.— As before noted in other reports, almost every man of the corps has
had small-pox. As far back as I have any information, the sepoys have never allowed themselves
to be vaccinated, though they will, in many instances, allow their children the benefit of this
safeguard. Most of these are now protected, including 46 whom I successfully vaccinated at the
dispensary during the year. I have also noted that Khairwara has, for many years past, been
remarkably free from variola. Occasionally an isolated case has presented itself, but it has
never spread. No case occurred during the year under report.
XX. Recommendations.— With exception of the steps taken with regard to the regi
-
mental boot, detailed under para. 10, none have been made.
XXI. Special observations and remarks.— For some years past my attention has been
directed to the use of the biniodide of mercury as an alterative and absorbent application in
abnormal deposits in the skin, and sub-cutaneous cellular tissue. Its use in goitre and in
hypertrophied spleen is too well known to require comment. Whilst in officiating civil charge
of Mymensing, however, several cases of elephantiasis of the scrotum and ankle came under
my treatment, and, in each of these, a second and third application of moderately strong red
ointment effected a complete cure.
Recommends
tions.
Special obser
-
vations and
remarks.
Since I have been in this station no similar cases have presented themselves until this
year (1875), when I was induced to try it in a case of leprosy of nine years' standing. There
were the usual large white patches on the dorsum of one foot with the usual absence of
sensation in that portion of skin. The treatment by red ointment in three weeks completely
restored the color of the skin and its sensation.
I have now under treatment a case also of leprosy, where the disease has gone on to
ulceration on the sole of the foot. Within a week or two the indolent intractable ulcer (under
ordinary means) has almost entirely healed, whilst the fissured white patches of skin are recover-
ing sensation, and gradually taking on a natural and healthy appearance. These somewhat
remarkable results make me anxious for a trial of this treatment on a larger scale than is
possible in this little station.
Leprosy
Malwa Bheel Gorps—Sirdarpore.
I. Medical Officer.—The annual sanitary report has been compiled by Sur
-
geon-Major A. D. Campbell,
who has been in medical
charge throughout the year.
Medical
Officer.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1870 . . .
Sirdarpore . . .
93.1
2.2
2.2
1871 . . .
Ditto . . .
83.4
2.04-
2 . 7
1872 . . .
Ditto . . .
117.3
1.02
3.8
1873 . . .
Ditto . . .
111.5
1.5
3.4
1874 . . .
Ditto . . .
91.2
.67
3.15
Average . . .
99.30
1.48
3.05
1875 . . .
Sirdarpore . . .
120.
.67
3.26
II.
Location and movements.—
The corps; being a local one, has
its head-quarters always at Sirdar
-
pore. The.permanent detachments
have been the same as in 1874,
except that the strength of the
one at Ali-Rajpore has been re
-
duced from 54 to 26 of all ranks,
Temporary detachments on es
-
cort and other duties have been
frequent.
Location and
movements.