Medical
Officers.
Location and
movement.
Topography
and physical
geography.
Lines, bar
- r a c k s a n d
huts.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
141
LAHORE DIVISION.
25th (Panjab) Regiment Native Infantrg—Meean Meer.
I. Medical Officers.—Surgeon-Major F. H. O'Donel held charge of the
regiment up to the 1st of
May, when he was relieved
by Surgeon H. K. McKay,
who was in charge for the
remainder of the year. The
latter officer submits the
annual sanitary report.
II. Location and move
-ment.—The head-quarters have
remained at Meean Meer during
the year. A detachment of three
companies have been stationed at
Amritsar since the 26th Febru-
ary. They ought to have been
relieved after six months' absence, but the relieving regiment (26th Punjab Native Infantry)
was ordered to the Camp of Exercise, Delhi. A detachment of 48 men was sent every 15
days to Fort Lahore, when the other native infantry regiment is in the station; it is only on
alternate 15 days. Three men returned from the Duffla Expedition in March, and 6 from
the Naga Expedition in April.
III. Topography and physical geography.— This has been recorded at page 140, Vol. for
1873, of the Bengal Medical Reports. No new channels or drains have been made; the trees
round and in the lines which were planted last year are growing, and improve the look of the
desolate-looking mud huts.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1870
. . . Peshawar, January 1868,
f r o m D e l h i . . .
211.6
5.1
5.4
1871
. . . Rawal Pindi, Nov. 1870
83.6
4 . 1
3.6
1872
. . .
Ditto. . . .
52.7
1.8
4.
1 8 7 3 . . .
Ditto.
77.8
1.3
2.1
1874
. . . Meean Meer, Feb. 1874
139.1
.8
3.9
Average
. . .
112.96
2.50
5.80
1875
. . . Meean Meer
. . .
165.99
1.70
3.63
IV. Meteorology and climate.—The climate this year has been characterized by an excessive
amount of rain, which rendered the station extremely unhealthy during the months of October,
November, and the early part of December.
Meteorology
and climate.
V. Lines, barracks and huts.—The lines are stated to have been in very
good order, and free from overcrowding; the natural drainage is defective, and
as a consequence of this and an unusually heavy rainfall, the water remained
on the ground for a considerable time, and, in the opinion of the medical
officer, caused much sickness. The "dry earth" system was employed in the
latrines. During the past year a small urinal was built in the middle of the
lines. The remarks in last year's report regarding the water-supply will again
apply to 1875, as will also those made on the subjects of diet and clothing.
During the absence of the 26th Regiment (Punjab) Native Infantry at the
Camp of Exercise, the duty is said to have been great, reducing the number of
nights in bed as low as 2.9 per man; the average number of nights in bed for
the year was 6.2.
Duty.
XIV. Hospital.—This has been described at page 193 of Vol. for 1870 of the Bengal
Army Medical Reports. The roof has been repaired, and the inside has been whitewashed thrice,
and the outside once, since May 1875. The hospital is supplied with 60 cots, which is suffi
-cient, except on exceptional occasions, as in November, when the number of men in hospital
was 61, besides the sick of the detachment of the 11th Bengal Lancers, who are admitted
into the 25th Punjab Native Infantry Hospital. Twenty-six large, thick purdahs have been
supplied, corresponding to the number of arches in the building, which add greatly to the
comfort of the patients. The hospitals in Meean Meer are now allowed from the 1st Novem-
-ber one maund of firewood a day per each fire-place. This was greatly needed on account
of the intense cold of the nights and mornings. Before the issue of firewood, men used to
be admitted with simple fever and be delayed in hospital on account of rheumatism or some
Bronchial affection. Now these last two diseases are exceptions as will be seen. During the
months of November and December 1874, the number of men in hospital suffering from bron-
-chial catarrh and rheumatism was 23, whilst in the corresponding months in 1875 there
were only three. One lamp is allowed to each ward. The men bring their own bedding on
admission.
Hospital.
Issue of fire
-wood.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of regiment—
Present
.
.
. 619.91
Absent
.
.
. 84.84
Total . . . 704.75
Sickness,
mortality and invaliding.