168
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Blisters of the
feet.
Chest diseases.
Principal
causes of
mortality,
Phthisis.
were left behind in hospital out of a strength of 414. "Diseases of the digestive system"
were also less frequent, and milder in type in. 1877 than in the preceding year. Feet
blisters occupy a prominent position in the list with 45 admissions. This is still lamentably
high, but there can be no doubt as to the existence of a vast improvement in the regiment
with reference to shoes and boots. A few years ago ammunition boots, English pattern,
but of native manufacture, were worn at all times. They looked neat, but nothing further
could be urged in their favor. They were badly made, ill-fitting, and a more fertile source
of feet blisters than any other pattern of boot or shoe. Two years ago native shoes were
substituted on marches or service for ammunition boots. The latter, however, continued to
be worn on station and parade duties. Most of the men now wear native shoes on service,
but many still cling to the ammunition boot, and suffer in consequence. I observe that some
corps adopt a system of native shoes for cantonment work, allowing the men to wear on
service whatever suits their own comfort best, and in these corps feet blisters are reduced to
a minimum. Diseases of the respiratory system is the only group in which admissions
during 1877 exceeded those of the preceding year. The increased prevalence of these affections
was due to a severe winter and damp inclement spring. Coughs and colds were common in
January, February and March, and it is worthy of note that during the intense cold of
these months there were only two cases of pneumonia.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.— The remaining groups of diseases differ but little
from similar ones in previous years, and do not present features calling for special comment.
There were altogether four deaths in hospital during the year. Two of these, viz., one of
phthisis and one of enteric fever, occurred in the head-quarter hospital at Abbottabad, and
one case of phthisis and one of pneumonia proved fatal in the detachment hospital at the
same place. The returns again illustrate the peculiar liability of Goorkhas to tubercular
affections, but they exaggerate somewhat the actual extent to which those diseases prevailed.
Two cases of phthisis remained in hospital from the previous year. Five fresh cases were
admitted in 1877, two of which were sent to Shundiani on sick leave, and were re-admitted on
their return to the station. Seven cases have consequently to be accounted for, and their
results are as follows :
Invalided by annual committee
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
1
Ditto by quarterly ditto
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
Died in hospital
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
Discharge to duty .
.
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
2
Total
.
7
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Inspection.
Three men died out of hospital during the year : one from some unknown cause on furlough ; the
second was accidentally drowned ; and the third died from phthisis when on sick leave at
his home.
XVIII.
Epidemics.— None.
XIX.
Vaccination.—For
the last few years recruits on enlistment at Gorakhpur are
steadily and systematically vaccinated under the supervision of the Civil Surgeon of that
station, and new drafts on arrival at head-quarters seldom or never contain an unprotected
man. The children in the lines are vaccinated regularly, and are all well protected.
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General F. F. Allen, C.B., inspected on the
27th of September. The lines were in good sanitary condition. The regiment is
better housed than any other in the circle. The Deputy Surgeon-General does
not see the necessity of putting shingle roofs on the unmarried men's quarters.
The sick are treated in three wards of the general hospital. Mr. Allen does not
approve of the system of massing the sick in a general hospital. All the hospital
arrangements were admirable. The men were in good health and physique, and
fit for any service.
Medical
officers.
Location and
movements,
C o r p s o f G u i d e s ( Q u e e n ' s O w n ) — M a r d a n .
I. Medical officers .—Surgeon A. Kelly has held medical charge throughout
the year. The annual sani-
tary report has been, how-
ever, prepared by Surgeon
H. Mallins, M.B., who as-
sumed medical charge of
the depot at Hoti Mardan,
when the corps proceeded
on service.
II. Iocation and movements.—
The head-quarters were stationed
at Hoti Mardan from 1st Janu-
ary to 3rd November, when they
proceeded to Kohat to join the
field force there assembled with
a view to operations against the
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT.OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
.
M a r d a n .
.
.
136.1
. 5 4.4
1873
.
Ditto
.
.
.
169.4
. 9 5.9
1874
.
Ditto
.
.
.
127.6
. 8 1 4.7
1875
.
Ditto
.
.
.
157.78
. 6 3 5.71
1876
Ditto
.
.
.
136.97
1.55
4.76
Average
.
1 4 5 . 5 7
.87
5 . 0 9
1877
. Mardan
.
.
1 6 6 . 5 4
. 6 4 5.6