Epidemics.
Vaccination.
never excessive. The men were particularly healthy during the hot weather months, but
during the cessation of the rains and the rapid falling of the Ganges, fever of a mild type
prevailed.
V.—Lines, barracks, &c.—No alteration has taken place during the year. The huts are toler-
bly well ventilated, and at no time was there any overcrowding.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and la trines.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Principal
causes of sick-
ness.
Principal causes of sickness. —The health of the regiment for the year under
review is more favourable than that of the previous year. The most prevalent diseases were as
follow :—
Principal
causes of
mortality.
Ague. 335
Bronchitis
. 25
Dysentery.
75
' General debility .
.
.
15
Diarrhœa
- . 36
The comparative prevalence of dysentery and diarrhœa seem to be attributable to the
malarious climate of Bengal, and also to the impure drinking water drawn from tanks.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality. —The diseases which occasioned the mortality of the
year were as follows :—
Ague.
1
Hypertrophy of Spleen
.
.
2
Dysentery.
1
.
Epistaxis
.
1
.
Diarrhœa
.
3
Laryngitis
.
.
.
1
XVIII. Epidemics. —There was no epidemic during the year.
XIX. Vaccination. —Forty recruits were vaccinated during the year.
Inspection.
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General C. M. Smith made his inspection
of the lines and hospital of this regiment on the 22nd February 1877. There
was nothing in the sanitary condition of the lines which calls for special
remark. The " batten doors" and windows still remain in the hospital, and are
said to render the ward dark and gloomy whenever it is necessary to close them,
as well as to interfere with its thorough ventilation. Mr. Smith inspected
the men on an undress parade, and reports that their general appearance was
good and healthy, and that they had picked up strength and stamina on the
march and in camp. There were very few old soldiers in the ranks.
4th Regiment native Infantry, Head Quarters and Ri g ht Wing.—Bhagalpur.
Medical
Officer.
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon E. Palmer, by whom this report has been
Location and
movements.
Topography.
Meteorology
and climate.
Lines. &c.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1871
. Cachar, December 1870 .
309.1
5.06
11.08
1872
. Bhagalpur,
December
1872 .
.
.
.
191.8
3.1
11.2
1873
. Ditto
ditto .
.
96.04
1.49
3.9
1874
. Ditto
ditto .
.
58.7
. 7 1
1.94
1875
. Bhagalpur
and Nya
Doomka
.
.
.
94.74
. 3 9
3.49
Average
.
150.07
2.15
6.32
1876
. Bhagalpur and
Nya
Doomka
.
.
74.24
1.31
2.83
submitted, was in medical
charge of the regiment
during the entire year.
II. Location and movements.—
The head-quarters of the regi-
ment remained at Bhagalpur
throughout the year. The left
wing returned by detachments
from Nya Doomka in the
month of December, and was re-
lieved by the right wing.
III. Topography.—The topo-
graphy of the station has been
fully described in last year's
report.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—
The climate of Bhagalpur is ex-
tremely good, and the heat is
VI. Drainage.—Owing to the elevated position of the cantonment, the natural drainage
is good and efficient, and all surface water runs off as rapidly as it falls.
VII. Conservancy and latrines. —Till the 1st of March, the sepoys resorted to the neigh-
bouring jungle for the purposes of nature. After that date, a site, about 300 yards north-east
of the lines, was occupied by the regimental latrines. The trench system was in force, and
during the hot weather months acted admirably. They were visited twice daily by a havildar,
who was held responsible that they were kept clean, and free from any unpleasant odour. In the
hospital latrine, the dry-earth system is employed, and answers well. The conservancy and
sanitation of the bazars in the neighbourhood of the cantonment is most defective.
VIII. Water-supply—Obtained from the same sources as mentioned in last year's report.
IX .Diet.—In consequence of the inferior quality of the atta obtainable in the
Bhagalpur bazars, it was found necessary to arrange for buying wheat and having it
ground in the central jail. This arrangement has been material in keeping the men in a
healthy condition, and, in a rice-producing country, free from scurvy ; vegetables are very
scarce and dear.