Clothing.
Duty and
employment.
Exercise,
amusements,
&c.
Marches and
service.
OUDH DIVISION. 75
X. Clothing.—The uniforms worn—the one in the hot season, the other in the cold—are
well suited for those seasons, respectively. But the undress clothing worn by the men in the
cold weather, differing but little as it does from that worn in the hot months, is a
source of frequent admissions for catarrhal and rheumatic affections. The men wear a
short white jacket which leaves the loins and abdomen unprotected from the cold.
The boots themselves are good enough, but until sepoys are provided with socks and made
to wear them, sore feet will continue, as at present, to be a source of considerable loss of service
to the State. It did not require the experience of a march to impress this upon me. Over-
whelming evidence of the disadvantage at which the Native troops are placed by
want of socks, is obtained by contrasting the admissions for 'blisters of the feet' during
the year 1870 amongst European and amongst Native troops, both serving in India. From
an average strength of 53,996 Native troops serving in Bengal, the admissions from this cause
were 1,872;. whilst from an average strength of 54,583 European troops serving in India at
the same time, the admissions from the same cause were only 72. In other words, for equal
strengths the admissions from this cause were as 34.6 to 1.3. These figures require no
comment to make their significance clearer or more striking.
XI. Duty and employment.—The men have had no emergent employment; and their ordi-
nary duties, including the march from Lucknow to Morar, have not been heavy. The average
number of nights in bed was 10.55.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations. —The regimental and station duties afford the
men sufficient exercise. In addition to these, some amuse themselves with wrestling and putting
weights; running is not much practised. The Hill-men are the only ones who care for sport,
and for this enjoyment they are dependent upon the European Officers.
XIII. Marches and service. —During the year, the Regiment marched from Lucknow to
Morar, relieving the 9th Regiment Native Infantry at the latter place. The regiment and
regimental hospital went into camp four days before starting, and at 4 A.M. on the morning
of Tuesday, November 7th, tents were struck, and the march commenced to the first camping
ground at Bunthara, 12 miles from Lucknow. One halt was called at the end of six miles.
XIV. Hospital.—Is described in the report for 1871, p. 69. When we arrived there were
no suitable quarters for the hospital assistants, who were obliged therefore to occupy the same
building as the hospital servants. A representation was made, and suitable quarters are now
in process of erection. The hospital is supplied with a bath-room and good bath.
As it is not customary with sepoys to use soap in washing, each case of scabies is given an
ointment which is at the same time both sulphur and soap. The formula is the following:—
Hospital.
Poppy oil
.
.
.
. 1 fl. oz.
Sulphate of soda or potash
.
1 oz. (16 drachms).
Sublimed sulphur
.
.
. 5 drachms.
The hospital is in good repair ; its site is well-chosen, lying as it does broad-side on to the
prevailing west wind. In its direction, elevation and construction, it would furnish a good
model whereby to build new huts for the men. Each man provides his own bedding, not, I think,
a good arrangement. If one or two sheets, and in the cold weather a rezai or wadded counterpane
were supplied to each bed, and a dhobie added to the hospital establishment, not only would
the hospital present a more uniform and cleanly appearance, but the Medical Officer would
be able to exercise a more satisfactory supervision over the disposal of bedding that had been
used by cases of contagious disease, such for example as itch. There are no arrangements
for artificially warming the hospital, nor do I think any are required. The lighting is
sufficient.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment—
Present
. .
. .
.
.
. .
.
.
. 627.91
Absent
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
. . 70.63
Total
.
. 698.54
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average
number
of sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions. Deaths.
Admis-
sions. Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
Head-quarters at Lucknow
and Morar
... ... 1st Jan. ... 31st Dec. ... 627.91 676
3 19.20 107.66 0.47 3.07
Number of deaths in hospital 3; out of hospital 1; total
4; per cent. of total strength . 0.57
„ invalided
. .
. .
. .
. .
28;
„
„
.
4.01
„ sent on sick leave .
.
. . . .
.
7;
„
„
.
1.0
„ of days spent in hospital 7,030; per admission . 10.39; per man of total strength
. 10.06
„
„ on sick leave 893; per man
. 127.57;
„ „
. 1.28
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
. 11.34