Water-supply
Diet.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
Vaccination.
Inspection.
38
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Lines,
barracks and
huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
'Clothing.
Duty.
V . L i n e s , b a r r a c k s a n d h u t s . —T h e
o l d l i n e s n e a r t h e s u d d e r b a z a r w e r e o c c u p i e d b y t h e
regiment during the first three months of the year. It went to the new lines, which are situated
about a mile and a half to the south-east of the station, on the 28th of March. The lines are
built according to the Government plan for all cavalry regiments, only the huts are three feet
wider than authorised; they contain 990 cubic and 90 superficial feet each. The huts are of mud
with tiled roofs, and each accommodates two men. Some of the principal native officers inhabit
neat small bungalows to the east of the lines.
VI. Drainage.— The surplus water finds its way into the Morar river which runs about
800 yards south of the lines which are built on sloping ground causing a natural drainage
towards the river. The soil being of a sandy nature it dries quickly. The drains are two and
a half feet wide with shelving sides.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.—Movable screens over trenches are in use and seem to
answer well, but in the rains on account of the mud the trenches will have to be dug in drain-
ed land, and the screens should have some protection from the rain on the top. The wooden screens
on low, broad wheels such as are used at Barrackpore, would, I think ; answer very well, and in. the
long run be not more expensive than the mat screens now in use, which have frequently to be
replaced. There is sufficient accommodation both for sowars and followers. The latrine for the
females is at a proper distance from those used by the men. Horse litter and filth of all sorts
are moved twice a day by conservancy carts.
VIII. Water-supply.— The drinking water is supplied from three bricked wells, and is
reported good and sufficient. There is also one kutcha well in the lines, but I am informed that
the water, although good, is not used for cooking or drinking purposes.
IX. Diet.—Dieting on the mess system is still in force and answers well. The food pro-
curable by the men, although dear from want of rain, has been good and sufficient, and is
obtained in the sudder and regimental bazars.
Clothing is reported to be suitable to the climate and duty which is light.
Tent-pegging and other cavalry sports are resorted to.
XIV. Hospital.—The old hospital is still in use. The blankets and razais brought there
by the patients are generally good and sufficient. A new hospital has been sanctioned for the
lines, but is not yet built.
Sickness,
mortality and
i nvaliding.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding,—Strength of the regiment
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
380.54
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
76.32
Total.
.
.
456.86
STATION.
PERIOD,
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average
number of
sick.
PER CENT OF STREN GT H
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Strength.
A d m i s s i o n s .
Deaths.
Admis-
sions. Deaths.
D i a l y
average
sick.
Head-quarters at Morar
.
1st Jan. 1877 31st Dec. 1877
380.54
157
2
6.26 41.27
0.52
1.64
Number of deaths in hospital, 2; out of hospital, 3; total
5; per cent. of total strength .
.
1.09
”
invalided
.
.
.
.
.
. .
5;
”
”
.
.
1.09
„
sent on sick leave
.
.
.
.
.
.
5;
,,
,,
.
.
1.09
„
of days spent in hospital 2,284; per admission
14.54; per man of total strength .
.
4.99
”
”
on sick leave 912; per man
. 182.40;
„
”
.
.
1.99
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
6.98
The general health of the regiment for the past year has been excellent. There were, how-
ever, two deaths—one from fever, which took a typhoid form, and the other from meningitis
following on delirium tremens. During the year, malarious fevers gave a decrease on the
previous year of twenty-six, and dysentery of ten.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.—The causes of the three deaths out of hospital are
reported to have been one from accidental drowning, one chronic rheumatism (lumbago), and
the other fever.
XIX. Vaccination.—All the men, including recruits, show marks of small-
pox or vaccination, with the exception of 14 men who have been vaccinated.
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General A. Christison, M.D., inspected on
the 5th of December. The new lines give sufficient accommodation, and are
well chosen as regards situation, exposure, drainage and elevation, but they are
still bare and dusty. The planting of trees will obviate this defect. The regi-
ment was very healthy, and the men looked robust. The hospital arrangements
were according to regulation, and the duties correctly carried out.