Duty and em-
ployment
.
Marches.
33
GWALIOR DISTRICT.
The latrines belonging to the 9th Regiment Native Infantry are situate to the south
-
west end of the lines on the east bank of the Morar river. They are supposed to be used
by the sepoys and followers. The trench system is in use; as at present worked, it is a
failure. The ground is free from odour during the dry weather, but as there is no protec
-
tion against the rains, I cannot think it can then be an efficient system. The ground is regu
-
larly planted. The latrine is formed by light moveable screens, forming 45 compartments;
fresh trenches are dug daily. A second latrine of 16 compartments for women is placed at
a distance to the north of the above. The construction of these latrines is faulty in the
extreme. They consist of long screens with partitions placed at right angles which divide each
screen into five parts. A series of such screens are placed one before the other. As a conse
-
quence a man goes to E, say, and, finding it vacant, occupies it; no man will pass by him to
A, B, C, or D, by reason of caste prejudice; neither will he permit the sweeper to go in
to clean the latrine: thus some half dozen men may completely occupy the structure. The
latrine should be made in one long row, a large space being left between the compartments and
the outside screen. The present latrine is not nearly sufficient, for all the men turn out in the
early morning about 4 A. M., while it is still dark; they cannot all use the latrines, and a piece
of ground has to be marked off for them. This the sweepers clean afterwards; the excreta being
placed in the trenches. The latrines should be covered in as a protection against the rains.
VIII. Water-supply.— The water-supply is described as being abundant
and of good quality.
The bazar is well supplied with the various articles of food, and no case of
under-feeding had come under Surgeon Deakin's notice.
Hospital Diet .—Following the suggestion of Surgeon-Major Cowie at Calcutta, a system
of hospital diets, much the same as that mentioned in medical and sanitary report, 1873, (p. 3,)
has recently been introduced into hospital. Each man is required to have his ration ready for
inspection at hospital at the time of the morning visit. A table of diets is suspended in the
h o s p i t a l .
Trench
latrines.
Defects of
latrine.
Water-supply.
Hospital diet.
X. Clothing.— The regimental clothing is described as being well suited
for the climate and for the comfort of the men, but Surgeon Deakin considers
that the clothing of the men when off duty is frequently not warm enough, and
predisposes them to chills, fevers, and chest complaints.
The men wear Blucher boots and suffer in consequence. Stockings or
bandages as a remedy
against blisters of the feet are recommended.
Clothing.
Boots.
XI. Duty and employment.— The duty is mentioned as having been
heavy since the 20th October, when the 34th Native Infantry left the station.
The number of successive nights in bed for 1874 was a little upwards of four.
Marches.—The regiment marched from Lucknow to Morar, arriving here on 8th January
1874, where it remained all the year.
XIV. Hospital.—T h eh
o s p i t a l a f f o r d s s u f f i c i e n t a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r
29 patients, if 100 feet of superficial space per man are allowed. The hospital
assistants need better quarters; there is not any ward for cases requiring
isolation. There is a bath-room, but no mention is made if the patients
use it. The hospital latrine is badly lighted and ventilated; the dry earth
system, was employed in it and answered fairly well.
Surgeon Deakin advocates the introduction of bed-head sheets into all native
regimental hospitals, in which a daily entry of the medicines, diets, and extras
ordered could be made.
XV. Sickness, mortaliy, and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment —present, 628.75;
absent, 71.66 ; t otal 700.41.
Hospital.
Bed-head
sheets.
Sickness,
mortality, and
invaliding.
PERIOD.
S t r e n g t h .
TOTAL NUMBER OF
D a i l y a v e r a g e n u m b e r o f s i c k .
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admissions
Deaths in
H o s p i t a l .
Admis-
sions.
Deaths
Daily
average
sick.
Head-quarters at Morar . . .
8th Jan.
31st Dec.
628.75
996
4
40.84
158.41
0.63
6.49
Number of deaths in hospital, 4; out of hospital, 4; total 8; per cent. of total strength . . . 1.14
" i n v a l i d e d , 3 0 ; p e r c e n t . o f t o t a l s t r e n g t h . . .
4.31
" s e n t o n s i c k l e a v e , 2 6 ; p e r c e n t . o f t o t a l s t r e n g t h . . . 3.71
" of days spent in hospital, 12,907 ; per admission, 13.05; per man of total strength . . . 18.55
" " on sick leave 1,242; per man, 4.77; per man of total strength . . .
1.77
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength . . . 20.32