Remittent
fever.
Rheumatisms
Blisters of
feet.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
ALLAHABAD DIVISION.
33
XVI. Principal causes of sickness.— The diseases that caused the largest amount of
sickness in the regiment were—agues, rheumatisms, syphilitic and gonorrhœal affections,
ulcers, boils and abscesses, contusions, sprains, and blisters of the feet.
Principal
causes of
sickness.
Agues.—Of the agues, 325 were—agues (a) and 3 agues, (c). The agues (a) were generally
mild forms of the disease without serious complications, and generally yielded to treatment Agues.
with quinine in a short time. Quinine in small doses was the remedy chiefly used in these
fevers, the confidence attaching to it in the native mind adding greatly to its value above other
remedies. Remittent fever.—There are 15 cases of remittent fever registered. I did not see
any of them ; they occurred before I joined the regiment.
Rheumatisms.—The rheumatisms were chiefly of the chronic kind, viz., 8 out of 16 cases.
There were few local causes existing in the lines or in the huts to favor the production of the
disease ; hence the comparative freedom of the men from it.
Venereal.—Venereal affections have been more prevalent in the regiment since its arrival
at Cawnpore than in previous years at Mooltan. A good number of unregistered prostitutes
reside in the city which is frequented by the men, and accounts for the disease being common
among them. It is probable many more had it than have come to hospital, for it is only when
they are unfitted for duty by the disease that they come to the hospital. The registered
prostitutes reside in the sudder bazar, but this bazar is not so much resorted to by the men of
the regiment.
Blisters of feet .—The blisters of the feet Were caused by the friction of the thick clumsy
ammunition boots worn by the men on duty ; they readily healed by rest and treatment with
carbolic acid and oil-dressing. Altogether there were 35 admissions from blisters of the feet.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.—The mortality return of the regiment speaks
favorably for the health of the men. Altogether there were 6 deaths during the year, viz.,
two in hospital from remittent fever and pneumonia, and 4 out of hospital. The two men
who were
sent on sink leave died at their homes
from debility.
Venereal.
XVIII. Epidemics.—No epidemic diseases prevailed in the regiment during the year.
Epidemics.
XIX. Vaccination.—As many men of the regiment and children of the camp-followers as
had not had small-pox, or had not been inoculated or vaccinated, were vaccinated by me during
the winter. Some required to be vaccinated twice or three times before the results were
successful.
The numbers vaccinated were-
Men of
regiment.
45.
Children of
camp-followers, &c.
25.
Total,
70.
Vaccination.
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General J. P. Walker, M.D., inspected the
regiment on the 20th March, and found the lines in every respect in a very
satisfactory condition. All the men off duty were inspected in undress, and
presented a very healthy appearance and a remarkably fine physique, and looked
in first-rate order for service. The recruits were separately inspected, and found
to have been very judiciously selected. The treatment, general and therapeutic,
of the patients was satisfactory, and every thing connected with the hospital
was in excellent order.
Station Staff Hospital and Dispensary, Cawnpore.—Dr. Walker inspected
this hospital on the 18th March 1877. Every thing was found in a satisfactory
state ; no complaints or suggestions received. There was only one house patient
under treatment. Surgeon-Major J. B. Hamilton, of the Army Medical
Department, was in medical charge.
Inspection.
Station
S t a f f H o s p i t a l a n d
Dispensary,
Cawnpore.
Lock Hospital, Cawnpore.—Dr. Walker inspected this hospital on the 18th
March. Surgeon-Major J. B. Hamilton, Army Medical Department, continued
in medical charge throughout the year. The Deputy Surgeon-General found
the hospital clean and tidy, and " the patients clean in person, clothing, and
bedding." The examination of registered women in cantonments is made by
the officer in medical charge, and of those residing in the city, by the Civil
Surgeon. The examinations are always made twice a mouth, but when occasion
arises, weekly or even oftener. The average number of women on the register
during the year was 144.7, with a daily average sick of 27.5. On the date of
examination, there were 19 patients in hospital. Dr. Walker writes :
" The action of the lock hospital during 1876 looks highly satisfactory,
when the actual number of admissions from primary venereal disease among
European troops are viewed without reference to the varying strength of the
troops at Cawnpore during the last 3 years : thus—
Total admissions during 1874
407
per cent. of strength
..
47.7
,,
,,
,,
1875
.
283
,,
,,
.
.
.
35.9
,,
,,,,
1876
.
144
,,
,,
o
e
.
38 07"
Lock Hospi-
tal, Cawnpore.