XV
appears to be a good measure. The number of cases admitted into hospi-
tal on account of blistered feet is shown in the following statement as compared
with the preceding five years. The statement does not represent all the cases of
blistered feet which occurred, but only those that were sufficiently severe to
demand admission into hospital. The practice regarding these cases differs in
Number of
cases of
blistered feet
admitted into
hospital.
STATEMENT No. XI.
Admissions into kospital.foi blisters of the feel.
YEARS.
ADMISSIONS.
PER CENT. OF
Total admissions.
Strength.
1872
2,167
2.06
4.06
1873
2,194
3.10
4.10
1874
1,148
1.63
2.17
1875
2,542
3.68
4.74
1876
2,298
3.03
4.26
Average
2069.8
2.70
3.87
1877
1,875
3.02
3.45
ditterent regiments, and
the large class of ulcers,
no doubt, contains many
cases due to injury
caused by boots and
shoes. The number of
cases was, it will be ob-
served, below the average
of the preceding five years;
but this cause still ac-
counts for a considerable
proportion of admissions
into hospital ; and it must
be remembered that there
was no severe marching
in 1877, except in the
case of the regiments
that proceeded. to Quetta
and those that took part
in the frontier expeditions.
24. Duty in cantonments has nowhere been so heavy as to affect the
health of the men. The regiments at the Presidency are subjected to excep-
tionally hard work on account of the number of guards. In Central India the
Bheel Corps furnish a large number of escorts, and at Morar and Peshawar
the Infantry regiments are required to do more work than at other stations; but
it does not appear to be excessive. The corps which took a share in the Punjab
Frontier expedition performed work of an arduous kind, under circumstances
of hardship, which will be alluded to in a future paragraph.
25. The subject of providing exercise and recreation for native sepoys
continues to obtain attention, gymnasia having now been organized at almost
every station ; and in addition to the feats of wrestling, &c., which sepoys in-
dulge in of their own motion, arrangements have been made in many regiments
for putting recruits and young soldiers through a regular course of gymnastics.
The reports testify that this is highly conducive to improvement of the phy-
sique and bearing of the men (p. 21).
In some cases the men are encouraged to join in English games—hunting
and shooting; and Cavalry regiments resort for exercise and amusement to tent-
pegging and other sports and polo. Gardening, which combines healthful ex-
ercise with the additional sanitary advantage of providing vegetables, is not
so much resorted to as it perhaps might be. The Madras regiments stationed
in Central India and the corps cantoned at Peshawar appear to be more inclined
to this useful pursuit than elsewhere.
Several regiments have obtained employment in erecting barracks and
huts, e. g., the 5th Bengal Cavalry at Nowgong, the 1st Goorkhas at Dharm-
sala, and the regiments now stationed at Quetta; and in other cases the men
have been employed in working for hire, the wages obtained forming a consider-
able addition to their pay. The Malwa Bheel Corps and 23rd Pioneers have
been most conspicuous in this respect. In only one case—the Erinpoorah
Battalion—is mention made of a regimental school. On the whole, it cannot be
said that the sepoys of the Native Army lead lives of idleness ; and there is
evidence in these reports that thought is taken to induce them to employ their
leisure hours in occupations that may afford pleasant interest and excitement,
improve their health, and keep them out of mischief or vice.
26. The principal movements of native troops which occurred during the
year were the occupation of Quetta and the expeditions against the Jowaki
Afridis under Brigadiers-General C. C. G. Ross, C.B., and C. P. Keyes, C.B.
Surgeon H. K. Mackay has, in his report of the 32nd Pioneers, given a very
interesting and practical account of the march of that regiment from Jhelum
Duty.
recreations.
g ymnasia.
Games.
Gardening.
Employment.
Regimental
mehool.
Movements
and service.