Medical
charge.
Meteorology.
Conservancy.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
Amusements
Hospital.
Bath-room.
84
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Lock-hospital
and dead-house. It was in excellent order on the occasion of his inspection
visit. The regiment had been very healthy. Accomodation for the medical es
-tablishment is very much required.
Lock Hospital, Sitapur.—This institution was under the charge of Sur
-geon-Major Theobold Ringer, M.D., who reports that there were 93 women on
the register, among whom there were 213 admissions—47 for primary syphilis.
A considerable increase of venereal disease was observed among the men of the
1-14th (from Calcutta), and E-19th Royal Artillery (from Allahabad) on their
arrival at the station. Dr. Ringer puts this down to disease contracted en route,
and to unlicensed prostitution. He agrees with other medical officers in advo
-cating increased stringency in carrying out the rules. Deputy Surgeon-General
H. M. Cannon inspected on the 5th of March 1875, and, after a minute scru-
-tiny, found that the duties were in every respect most carefully conducted.
Climate.
Drainage.
1st. Re giment Native Infantry—Gorakhpur.
Surgeon A. McM. Paterson held medical charge. During the year the regi
-ment was stationed at Gorakhpur.
The rain-fall is described
as having been heavy, the
average amount of daily
rainfall during the wet
season being as much as
4.9 inches.
The climate is relaxing,
and unsuited for those suf
-fering from chronic
diseases, and is much
opposed to the healing of
ulcers even of the most
simple nature.
VI. Drainage. —The drain
- a g e i n a n d a r o u n d t h e s t a t i o n
did very fairly, considering the large amount of rain that fell at times, inundating the whole place
for hours. The porous nature of the soil in this district helped by absorption to remove portions
of the surplus water, the river and large jheels receiving most of the drainage during the heavy
floods.
YEAR.
STATION.
PERCENT OF STRENGTH.
Admissions.
Deaths. Daily sick.
1869
Agra Nov. 1868 from
Dum Dum . . .
172.1
2.3
6.1
1870
Do. do. . . .
127.1
1.89
4.05
1871
Do. do.. . .
188.8
1.42
5.78
1872
Gorakhpur Oct. 1872
282.5
1.47
6.13
1873
Do. do. . . .
160.7
1.17
5.44
Average.
186.2
1.65
5.5
1874
Gorakhpur. . .
88.7
.43
3.84
Water-supply.
Water supply.—From wells is of excellent quality and abundant.
VII. Conservancy and Latrines.—In the lines the "trench system" is still carried out
with the disadvantages mentioned in previous reports. The dry-earth system is carried out in a
very satisfactory manner in the hospital latrine.
IX. Diet.—The bazar supplies are plentiful and. of good quality; the men are all well
nourished and shew no signs of underfeeding ; the bazar is inspected once a week by the
medical officer.
X. Clothing—The clothing is the same as in other native regiments. The issue, at a
moderate price, of a couple of pair of socks per man would be an immense boon to the native
soldier, as it would serve as a protection against blistered feet, so often produced by the present
style of ammunition boots used in the Native Army.
XI. Duty and employment.—In this station the duty is very light; except parades and
regimental guards, the men have no other extra work. The average number of nights in bed
for the year, 8.5.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations—The chief amusement amongst the men is
native gymnastics.
X1V. Hospitat—The usual annual repairs have been made to the main building and
detached houses.
The new quarters for hospital assistants and medical pupils according to the standard
plan have been completed, also a small detached room erected near the hospital as a bath-room
with all the fittings for the purpose required, as laid down in General Order No. 365 dated
28th November 1873, there being no spare room at the end of the hospital that could be
converted into a bath-room; the patients are encouraged to avail themselves of this indul
-gence as much as possible; in fact, it is a great assistance in the treatment of cutaneous
diseases.