Mortality.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
60
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Principal
causes of
sickness.
Comparison ison
with 1876.
Inspection.
XVI. Principal causes of sickness.— Ague caused 141 admissions, or above 22.34 per cent ;
conjunctivitis, 76 (12.04); accidental causes, 46 (7.29); rheumatic affections, 29 (4.59); guinea-
worm, 28 (4.43); bronchitis and pneumonia, 27 (4.27); blisters of feet, 26. (4.11); boil, 24
(3.8); diarrhœa, 20 (3.16); dysentery, 12 (1.90); gonorrhœa, 8 (1.26); syphilis, 8 (1.26);
other diseases, 186 (29.27).
Paroxysmal disease was again the cause of the largest number of admissions. Bronchitis
and pneumonia were one less than last year. The number of cases of conjunctivitis, although
high, is 19 less than that of last year. Gonorrhœa gave fewer entries; dysentery and diarr
-hœa three less; accidental causes are fewer; but rheumatic affections show an increase of eight.
One case of “melancholia” is reported as having occurred in the detachment at Aboo, and.
was under the care of the native doctor at the Aboo dispensary. The man returned to duty.
XVII. Mortality.—Of the deaths in hospital, pneumonia caused two, fever two, hemiplegia
one, phthisis one, and general debility one.
• The cause of the death out of hospital was not stated.
X V I I I . E p i d e m i c s . —
N o
e p i d e m i c s h a v e o c c u r r e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r .
XIX. Vaccination.—Most of the sepoys are protected, having either had small-pox or
been vaccinated when young. At the time of writing, small-pox is very prevalent in the
neighbouring villages, and over 100 children in the lines and the regimental bazar were
vaccinated during December, and the process is being continued weekly.
Inspection.—The annual medical inspection was made by the Deputy
Surgeon-General, Agra Circle, on the 27th of January 1878. The men were
in excellent health. There were only four in hospital. All the medical and
sanitary duties were carefully attended to. Surgeon Beatson had gained the
confidence of the natives, many of whom had submitted to surgical operations.
Dr. Christison observes that a dispensary would be a boon to the place.
CENTRAL INDIA
( INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF GOONA, AGAR, KHERWARA, SIRDARPORE, SEHORE AND AJMERE).
Average strength present during the year . .
.
.
.
.
Cavalry 560.7 Infantry 2.393
Average daily sick per cent. of average strength
.
.
.
.
. 1.73
”
3.29
Ratio of mortality per cent. of average strength . .
.
.
•
.
1.22
”
.95
1st Regiment Cetral India Borse—Agar.
Medical
officers.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology
and climate.
Lines;
drainage;
conservancy.
Water.
Food.
Recreations.,
Surgeon J. E. Ferguson, of
t h e B o m b a y M e d i c a l S e r v i c e , W h o h e l d o f f i c i a t i n g m e d i c a l
charge of the regiment at
• the close of the year, in
room of Surgeon R. Cal-
decott, Bombay Medical
Service, the permanent in-
cumbent, who was absent on
duty with the Governor
General's Agent.
1I. Location and movements.
The head-quarters of the regi-
ment have been for the whole
year at Agar. A detachment
(strength 61), was at the Imperial
Assemblage at Delhi, and marched from Delhi to Agar at the beginning of the year. A detach-
ment (average strength 23.6) has been at Indore the whole year.
IV. MeorologY and climate. — During the year there was an unusually low rainfall.
The average annual rainfall is about 40 inches; the year under observation from the 8th of
March, only gives a rainfall of 16.8 inches.
The lines are reported to be in good order, and well drained (naturally). The
station conservancy is attended to by a staff of 12 sweepers. The same
latrines are in use.
The wells were low (43 feet from the surface), in consequence of the defi-
cient rainfall, but yielded a sufficient supply of good water nevertheless.
Food-supplies were abundant, good and of moderate price. As regards clothing
and duty no change has taken place. The men indulge in polo, shiKar and
games. The detachment which went to Delhi enjoyed excellent health.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Agar .
•
.
.
33.03
120
1.3
1873
. Gonna, October 1873 .
22.8
.22
1.1
1874
. Ditto
ditto .
.
26.6
40
1.55
1875
. Goona .
.
.
.
80.47
.20
2.55
1876
. Agar, November 1876 .
4.
.40
2.08
Average
.
33.38
.68
1.71
1877 .
Agar .
.
.
.
41.74
1.62
2.02