Madras troops.
"Lines, sick "
and " Conva-
leseent" lists
Gains and loss
of the Native
Army.
Additions.
Losses.
Statistical
importance of
Huctuation.
Percentage of
absentees.
under medical supervision, yielding admissions into hospital and furnishing
st at i st i cal ret urns ; "absent " st rengt h, t o i ncl ude smal l part i es on escort , recrui t i ng
and other duties, not in charge of any medical officer or subordinate, and sepoys
on furlough, sick leave, &c. ; while the " total " strength embraces the mean
number retained upon the regimental rolls throughout the year. As compared
with the preceding year, the figures representing the total strength of the
Regular Army, the Central India Force, and the Punjab Frontier Force present
a remarkable similarity. They also agree relatively as regards the proportions
of absentees, but the figures for 1877 exhibit a lower range ; the percentage of
" absent " strength being in the case of the Regular Army 11.8 against 12.3, in
the Central India Force 20.4 against 21.2, and in the Punjab Frontier Force
16.6 against 17.1. The Madras -troops, consisting of one Cavalry and four
Infantry regiments, also present very similar figures ; the proportion of absentees
being again conspicuously small. The regiments are the same as were included
in last year's returns ; the only change of consequence being the removal of the
11th Infantry from Nagode to Dorunda, where it is now stationed.
4. While the strength of the Native Army of Bengal (excluding Madras
troops) averaged 62,794 for the year, the number on the rolls on the first day of
January was 62,685, and on the 31st of December 63,061. There was thus a
net increase of 376 men during the year. The additions to the Army by recruit-
ing amounted to 5,536, and the permanent loss to 5,160, the difference between
these numbers accounting for the gain of strength. The gain represents a
proportion of 8.81 per cent. of average strength, against 9.02, 9.61, and 11.02 in
the years 1876, 1875 and 1874 ; and the loss of 8.22, against 9 . 24, 9.76 and 10.35
in the same years. Of the 5,160 men who were removed from the rolls from
various causes, 1,594, or 30 . 9 per cent., were invalided ; 1,519, or 29.4, were
discharged by commanding officers at their own request ; 578, or 11.2, removed
for physical disability; 622, or 12.1, for misconduct, &c. ; and 847, or 16.4, died.
The relations which these events bore to the average strength of the Army are
shown in the accom-
panying statement, as
compared with the three
preceding years. The
year under report pre-
sents lower rates under
every head. than its pre-
decessor ; and it is only
in the item of deaths,
and that to a very tri-
fling extent, that any
one of the figures ren
-
dered by 1877 exceeds any one of those of any of the three previous years.
The fluctuations which a body of men undergoes within a given period
of time, and more especially the removals which take place on account of
physical disability, profoundly affect the value of vital statistics, which are
capable of comparison for different periods only if the liability to sickness and
mortality of the units composing the body remains the same. When the
fluctuations occurring from year to year are equal, or nearly so, the vital sta-
tistics are capable of true comparison ; but if, from any cause, such as an excess
of invaliding or discharge of sickly and weakly men, the liability to sickness
and death of the whole body is reduced, it is obvious that the significance of
the sick and death rates is correspondingly modified. Holding these princi-
ples in view, it is satisfactory to observe that the fluctuations which take
place in the strength of the Native Army from year to year are so similar, and
that the events of 1877 are rather against than in favor of low sickness and
death rates ; for the numbers invalided and discharged for physical disability
are unprecedentedly few, either indicating greater healthiness of the men, or
leaving a wider margin for sickness and mortality in the force.
There is, however, one source of fallacy in the vital statistics of the Native
Army which has been prominently brought to notice and discussed by Surgeon
A. Barclay in his report of the 2nd Central India Horse, namely, the treatment
of men out of hospital when their cases are of a trivial nature, or, when other
reasons exist why it is desirable to allow them to remain in their lines. In
STATEMENT No. II.
losses of the year from various causes per cent. of strength.
1877.
1876.
1875.
1874.
Invalided
2.53
2.99
3.30
3.70
Discharged by commanding offi-
cers at their own request.
2.41
2.45
2.59
2.73
I Discharged for physical disability.
.92
1.24
1.22
1.08
Discharged for misconduct, &c.
.99
1.08
1.16
1.53
Died.
1.31
1.47
1.63
1.31