Epidemics.
Cholera.
Effects of a
damp climate.
Inspection.
200
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
evidently due to syncope. On post-mortem examination, the most complete specimen of fatty
degeneration of the heart I have ever seen was discovered. I was unwise enough to put the
heart in ordinary rum; it went bad in a week. Of the other two deaths which occurred on
furlough, the causes are unknown.
XVIII. Epidemics. —We have fortunately been preserved from cholera during the
year. One fatal case of this disease occurred at head-quarters in March. It was altogether
sporadic, and the disease never showed the slightest tendency to spread. There have been
numerous sudden, severe and fatal outbreaks of cholera in various tea gardens in the district
throughout the year; it has also been very prevalent and fatal amongst the newly engaged
garden (tea) coolies coming up the river viâ Goalundo and Dacca; indeed, in the majority of
cases there appears to be no doubt that they brought the disease into the gardens. More than
once they have brought it with them into this station, but it never spread; indeed, it seemed
to leave them as soon as they arrived here. This speaks well for the station in general. The
conditions necessary for the spread of cholera—whatever they may be—were evidently not
present.
Vaccination.
Insalubrity of
Monierkhal.
XIX. Vaccination.—This has been nil during the year. Accordingly, only those who
have had small-pox before, or have been inoculated, are in any degree protected. Few, if any, I
believe, have ever been vaccinated, and even if they had been, would probably be the better of
re-vaccination now. Hearing, therefore, that small-pox was prevalent in the neighbouring
district of Sylhet, and that a few cases had occurred in this district, I have applied for some
lymph to vaccinate the young men at any rate, and especially the recruits.
XX. Special observatio ns and remarks (a).—The Out-post of Monierkhal still retains its
unenviable notoriety as a fever-stricken locality. Of the 170 admissions there during the year,
no less than 144, or close on 85 per cent., are accredited to ague. Even this, however, is an
improvement on last year. Up to about 10 A. M., especially in the cold season, the state of
affairs there is truly miserable, a dense wet fog envelopes the whole place, not a breath of air
moves, and nothing is heard but the unceasing drip, drip from the trees and houses; then all of
a sudden the fog clears off, and the sun bursts out in great strength. The nearest bazar is
more than ten miles distant, and consequently beyond the reach of the men, so the only way
they have of getting a bit of fresh fish or some vegetables is buying some second-hand from
the garden coolies. I, of course, see every detachment as it goes on, and returns from, com
- m a n d . I n O c t o b e r , t h e M o n i e r k h a l d e t a c h m e n t w a s r e l i e v e d , a n d i t m i g h t f a i r l y h a v e
marched into hospital, the native officer alone excepted, he probably was able to provide him
- s e l f w i t h s o m e l i t t l e e x t r a s , s u c h a s t e a , & c . ; t h e m a j o r i t y o f t h e m h a d e n l a r g e d s p l e e n a n d
some enlarged liver, while all had that peculiar earthy appearance, muddy lips, jaundiced eye,
white tongue, and depression of spirits, so characterstic of prolonged exposure to the poison of
malaria.
Medical
charge.
Location and
movements.
(b).—The damp climate of Eastern Bengal is not, I think, well suited to the inhabitants
of a dry country like Oude. The increased admissions from rheumatic and pulmonary affec
- t i o n s b e a r t e s t i m o n y t o t h i s .
The Deputy Surgeon-General of the Dacca Circle inspected on the 13th
April 1875. The lines and their sanitary condition are very favorably reported
on. The regiment was inspected in undress, 504 of all ranks present, includ
-ing 25 recruits. The men are a fine body, physically strong, robust, well
-nourished, and all in fine health. Dr. Ross remarks that "the inspection of the
hospital in all its details was very satisfactory and creditable to the medical
officer.
16th. (The Lucknow) Regiment Native Infantry.—Tezpore and Dacca.
The medical charge of the
regiment underwent several
changes during the year. Sur
- g e o n E . B o v i l l , w h o f o r t h e
third time took charge on the
31st October, retained it till
the close of the year, and
furnishes the report.
II. Location and movements.
— T h e h e a d - q u a r t e r s a n d r i g h t w i n g
were at Gowhatty from the 1st
January until the 26th March, on
which date they proceeded to Tez
- p o r e b y s t e a m e r , a r r i v i n g t h e r e o n M a r c h 3 0 t h . T h e r e g i m e n t w a s a c t i n g a s a r e s e r v e t o t h e
force then on the Duffla Frontier. A guard remained at Julpigoree. The right wing was at
Tezpore until the 16th November, on which date 3 officers and 168 men left for the Duffla
Expedition, and remained there until 31st December.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT OF STRENGTH.
Admis-
sions. Deaths. Daily
sick.
1869
Moradabad and Shahja
-
hanpore, Dec. 1868
58.5
.6
1.9
1870
Ditto ditto
52.2
1.6
1.8
1871
Ditto ditto
56. 9
.3
1.5
1872
Julpigoree and Dacca
145.
1.9
3.9
1873
Ditto ditto
143.7
2.2
5.1
Average
91.2
1.3
2. 8
1874
Tezpore and Dacca
205.1
.56
6.1