174 MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Medical
officers.
1 s t R e g i m e n t , S i k h I n f a n t r y — K o h a t .
I. Medical offi-
cers.— The medical
charge of the regi-
ment underwent
seven changes dur-
ing the year. The
annual sanitary
report is drawn up
by Surgeon-Major
A. P. Holmes,
M.D., in permanent
charge of the
corps.
II. Location of regiment—
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Edwardesabad, Feb. 1872 .
.
.
187.5
1.8
6.
1873
.
Ditto
.
.
.
.
174.9
2 . 3
7.4
1874
.
Ditto
.
. . . .
180.9
1.5
6 . 7
1875
.
Kohat, Feb. 1875
.
.
.
.
132.29
3.26
5.07
1876
.
Ditto
.
.
.
.
.
152.84
2 . 0 1
4.32
Average
.
.
.
.
165.68
2 . 1 7
5.89
1877
. Kohat
.
.
.
.
.
.
125.12
2.54
4.29
Detail.
Stationed at
From
To
Head-quarters
.
.
.
.
. Kohat
.
.
.
.
. 1st January
.
. 18th August.
Detachment
.
.
.
.
. Bahadur Kheyl
.
.
. 3rd March
.
. 7th May.
Head-quarters
. .
.
.
. Camp, Gumbut
.
.
. 19th August
.
. 3rd September.
Detachment
.
.
.
.
. Kohat
.
.
.
.
Ditto ,
.
.
Ditto.
Head-quarters .
.
.
.
.
Ditto
.
.
.
. 4th September .
. 8th November.
„
Jowaki Field Force
.
. 9th November .
. 31st December.
Detachment
.
.
.
.
. Kohat
.
.
.
.
.
Ditto .
.
.
Ditto.
Topography,
&c.
Meteorology.
Lines.
Drainage,
conservancy
and water-
supply.
Food-supplies.
Clothing.
Duty.
Exercise, &c,
Marches, &c.
III. Topography, & c.—Kohat and its topographical relations have been described in
former reports. The Jowaki country, which is the scene of operations of the present expedition-
ary force, lies almost due east of Kohat, from which it is distant about 8 miles at the nearest
point; roughly speaking, it covers about 15 miles square of superficial area, and is, except at
the eastern extremity, entirely surrounded by hills, some of which attain an altitude of 4,000
feet above the sea. Interspersed among the hill ranges are valleys, one of which running the
whole length of their territory, is very fertile, and well cultivated : the crops consist of wheat,
barley and maize ; the hills are mostly covered with brushwood which the inhabitants sell
for fuel in the stations. The villages are solidly built of stones and mud, and each hamlet
is furnished with one or more towers for defence. Water lies near the surface in most parts,
and wells are numerous, but they do not seem to be much used for irrigation, the rainfall being
probably sufficient for agricultural purposes. No other peculiarities were noted.
IV. Meteorology.—No
instrumental observations have been made. The year has been
noticeable chiefly for the unusually heavy rainfall, by far the larger portion of which took
place during the cold months, both at the beginning and end of the year. The customary
rains failed almost entirely.
V. Lines.—The lines have been described in former reports; they are in good repair and
afford ample accommodation, but being situated on low ground, and in the vicinity of some of
the city drains, they are the most unhealthy lines in the cantonment.
Drainage, conservancy and water-supply remain as described in previous
reports.
IX.
Food-supplies.— Food of all kinds is good and abundant in Kohat. During the
first part of the Jowaki expedition the men suffered, perhaps, from want of fresh vegetables,
as several of them contracted sores, apparently of a scorbutic nature; the deficiency of vege-
tables was under the circumstances unavoidable, but as soon as arrangements could be made,
regular supplies of green food were brought in from Kohat.
X.
Clothing.—No change has been made in the men's clothing, which is well adapted for
native troops in all respects, except the shoes, which, being the ordinary native article, do not
stand much wear, and have an awkward tendency to stick in muddy ground.
I. Duty .—Previous to the commencement of the Jowaki outbreak the work was light,
but since then the duty has been extremely severe, falling especially heavy on that portion of
the regiment which remained in cantonments, whose nights in bed have averaged but 4 in 7.
This hard work is no doubt answerable for much sickness. Average nights in bed during the
year 5 in 7.
XII. Exercise, &c.—T h er
e c r u i t s a r e p r a c t i s e d f o r a n h o u r d a i l y i n g y m n a s t i c e x e r c i s e s ;
otherwise little has been done in this respect.
XIII. Marches.—The larger portion of the regiment has been stationed at Kohat during
the whole year. A detachment, . about 60 strong, was quartered at the outpost of Bahadur