Principal
causes of
mortality.
Epidemics.
Topography,
&c.
Drainage &c.
50
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality. —There were only two deaths during the year
among the fighting men. One died at Nagode from malignant cholera, and another when on
furlough ; the cause of death being unknown.
X-VIII. Epidemics.—There were no cases of small-pox, measles, &c., in the lines ; only one
case of cholera occurred during the year at head-quarters, and one case at Nagode, the one at
the cavalry lines being the only case of cholera that occurred throughout Nowgong. The case
occurred in a sowar who had returned a few days ago from Jubbulpore viâ Sutna and Nagode.
He was attacked on the 24th of April. He made a wood recovery.
Vaccination.
Recommenda-
tions.
Vaccination.—There were 18 camp-followers vaccinated during the year
a
success
-fully and two unsuccessfully.
XX. Recommendations. —The hospital well was reported on, as the water during the rains
h a d b e c o m e c o m p l e t e l y s p o i l e d . I t h a s b e e n d r a i n e d a n d c l e a r e d o u t , a n d t h e w a t e r i s a t
present very good and fit for use.
Inspection. Inspection.—Inspected by Deputy Surgeon-General Tyrell Ross on the
24th of October 1876. This regiment arrived in Nowgong in February last,
relieving the 3rd Bengal Cavalry. One troop had marched for Saugor one week
before Mr. Ross' inspection. Mr. Ross drew the attention of the medical officer
to the Government order regarding the latrine trenches, as he found that those
in use were at least two feet deep. The old trenches were cultivated over, and
the mat enclosures, which were very old and sodden, were about to be renewed.
The hospital is not considered to be conveniently situated, but has sufficient
accommodation for the sick, and in it the furniture, medicines, and instru-
ments were all complete, and in good order. Mr. Ross inspected the men at
stables ; he noticed some oldish men in the regiment, "but all were able
fellows." Twenty-seven recruits were seen, and were considered to be mostly
older men than general. The detachment of this regiment at Nagode was
inspected by Mr. Ross on the 26th September 1876. All the sanitary and
hospital arrangements were satisfactory, and the sowars were "a healthy, fine-
looking lot of young men."
Medical
Officers.
Location and
movements.
20th Regiment, Madras Native Infantry, Right Wing—Nowgang.
I. Medical Officers.—Surgeon A. A. Thomas was in charge from the
beginning of the year to August 7th, when, falling sick, he was relieved by Sur-
geon Shircore, 5th Bengal Cavalry, who held charge until the arrival of Surgeon
P. Thompson, on September 14th. The last named officer proceeded with the
wing to Banda, and delivered over charge on 8th November to Surgeon Back-
house, 20th Madras Native Infantry, who held it to the end of the year.
II.Location and movements. —The wing has been stationed in Nowgong the greater part
of the year, but on 1st November marched to join head-quarters at Banda, en route to Delhi.
Leaving Banda on 14th November, Delhi was reached on the 16th December, and the regiment
was in camp at that place until the end of the year.
No special remarks are called for regarding the topography or meteorology
of Nowgong. No alteration was made in the lines during the year, and their
sanitary condition is described as satisfactory. The drainage of the station and
lines appears to have been efficient.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water-supply.
Diet.
The conservancy arrangements were, it is said, well carried out. The
objectionable arrangement of each hut having a latrine attached to it, nomi
-nally for the use of the women and children, still exists. Latrines (movable
and, it is presumed, on the trench system) are for the use of the men, and
are said to be free from nuisance, and there are public latrines for the
inhabitants of the sudden bazar, placed on the western side of the Dhoorea
Nuddee. The water-supply was of good quality and abundant. Provisions were
cheap and good, and it is stated that vegetables were particularly so.
Clothing.
X. Clothing. —The character of the clothing varies according to the season of the year.
The boots are of the same pattern as those worn in other Madras regiments—models of
clumsiness—and totally unsuited to the foot of the native. Socks are hardly ever worn,
except by the native officers, the consequence being that feet-galls are common : a more un
-comfortable foot-gear it is difficult to imagine. The leather is generally so hardened after
a wetting, that it makes the boot more like a wooden clog than a specimen of the cobbler's art ;
and as boot-laces are regarded by the sepoy as unnecessary, it is not surprising that at the-
double the foot should leave its casing, and the unhappy wearer finds himself in a horizontal
position.