Principal
causes of sick-
ness.
Causes of mo
rtality.
According to
race.
According to
age.
Epidemics,
Vaccination.
178
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
XVI. Principal causes of sickness .—The "
regiment has been less healthy at Dera Ismail
Khan than at Dera Ghazi Khan, especially in 1872 and 1874, although the mortality has
been lower than when it was stationed at the latter place : 1873 was the healthiest year of the
six years, 1869—74, owing apparently to the small fall of rain in that year ; whereas 1872 and
1874, years in which the greatest amount of rain was collected, were the most unhealthy., In
the past year. the greater proportion of rain having fallen in July and August, had a marked
effect in increasing the admissions from intermittent fever. There were fewer cases of chest
disease than in any of the preceding five years, with the exception of 1869. Dysentery was less
common than usual, and diarrhœa was not much above the average in frequency. The daily
average sick was less than last year, although the admissions (1013) were more numerous
by 98, chiefly from intermittent fever, on account of which 588 were admitted against 403 in
1873. The percentage of deaths to strength was less than. in the previous year. The same remark
applies to deaths both in and out of hospital.
Remittent fever was equally frequent with 1873 ; but diseases of the chest were less so,
although proportionally more fatal, owing to the men so attacked having been previously
weakened by frequent attacks of " malarious" fever. The more than usual number of cases of
remittent fever arose from a similar cause to that just given. Under feeding does not seem to
have had any thing to say to the greater sickness than ordinary ; although the recruits, being
unacclimatized, suffered most and longest.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality . — R e m i t t e n t f e v e r a n d p n e u m o n i a , & c . , w e r e t h e
chief and only causes (1 and 4) of mortality, making up between them the 5 deaths in hospital
during the year. Trans-Indus Pathans suffered more in proportion than any of the other races.
The deaths were most frequent between first 25 to 29 years, and next 35 to 39 years.
XVIII. Epidemics.—None.
XIX. Vaccination .—About 30 children of the men of the regiment were vaccinated
during the year with good effect.
3rd Regiment Sikh Infantry,—Dera Ismail Khan.
Surgeon R. Power held medical charge during the entire year. He
reports :—
Location.
Hospital
latrine.
Food.
Duty.
Hospital.
II. Location and movements.—On the 13th of January the regiment marched for
YEARS.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869 ... Dera- Ghazi Khan Dec.
1868, from Peshawar
128.8
2.2
3.6
1870 ... Ditto
ditto
... .64.9
3.
4.4
1871 ... Ditto
ditto ...
158.6
2.6
4.1
1872 ... Dera Ismail Khan, Feb-
ruary 1872
...
207.9
2.8
4.9
1873 ...
Ditto
ditto ...
158.4
2.5
4.
Average ...
...
...
163.7
2.6
4.2
1874 ...
Dera Ismail Khan ... 198.6
2.07
4.3
the Panialah camp of exercise
and returned to Dera Ismail
Khan on the 6th February.
With the exception of these few
days, the regiment was stationed
at Dera Ismail Khan during the
whole year. The regiment
supplied the usual detachments.
The only sanitary event
of any importance which
occurred during the year
was the construction of a
new and suitable hospital
latrine in place of the old
one which has been pulled
down. Food supplies were
sufficient, and. the men are
well nourished. Duties were light. The same remarks apply to the hospital of
this regiment as to that of the 6th Punjab Native Infantry.