Prevalent
diseases,
Relation of
fever and
cholera.
Deaths.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
136
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Fevers, as usual, head the list of diseases; they were specially severe in
January and February in Peshawur,—the men from prolonged residence in
that station having apparently lost all power of resisting them. His Peshawar
experience has confirmed Mr. Roe in his conviction that there is a close causal
alliance between malarious fever and cholera. Applications of cold water have
been found very useful in the treatment of fever and ague, and liquor arseni-
calis or Donovan's solution is said to eradicate fever more thoroughly from the
constitution than quinine. Chest complaints were common and fatal in
Peshawar. Mr. Roe looks on pneumonia as often a sequela of fever.
Mortality.—With the exception of two cases, all the deaths in hospital last year occurred
either in Peshawar or at the Doaba outposts. During the months of January and February, 6
died in Peshawar, 3 at Shabkadar, 1 at Attock, and Diringi n R a w a l P i n d i ; o f t h e s e 1 1 d e a t h s ,
pneumonia caused 6, fevers 4, and ascites 1.
No epidemic occurred, and no vaccination was performed, the men being
all well protected either by inoculation or small-pox.
Deterioration
of health fron
residence in
Peshawar.
Surgeon Roe appends to his report observations on the great deteriora-
tion which the health of a regiment undergoes from residence in Peshawar,
and considers that two years should be the longest period of residence of a regi-
ment at this station. From the 15th of November 1870 to the 4th March
1874, the 25th Native Infantry lost by death 83 men—a fact which of itself
indicates very strongly the pernicious character of the place.
Precautions
adopted.
Inspection.
He found the following precautions useful in preserving the health of the
men:—
1st.
—At the beginning of every sickly season (September), a small dose of quinine given
to all the regiment every second or third day is most useful as a prophylactic; if this can be
continued for about six weeks or two months, a marked decrease will be observed in the number
of fever cases, and an improvement in the general health of the men.
2nd.—A small ration of rum should, if possible, be issued daily during this season to
those men who will drink it.
3rd.—Particular attention should be paid to the clothing of the men, especially to those
going on night duties, and they ought to be compelled to wear as warm under-clothing as
possible ; as a rule, if left to themselves, natives are very careless in this respect, the neglect
of which, I believe, to be a most fruitful cause of . disease among them.
4th.—Great attention should be paid to the food of the men, and the bazar supplies
frequently seen. Many men will underfeed themseves to save money, and this ought, as far
as possible, to be prevented.
Deputy Surgeon-General G. Banister remarks in his inspection report dated
24th October) on the imperfect ventilation. of the huts, and the excellence
of the hospital. He found all the medical arrangements efficient. The re-
giment had improved in health since its arrival from Peshawar.
Staff hospital.
Lock hospital
The divisional staff hospitalhas now been established in the hospital for-
merly occupied by the 25th Punjab Native Infantry. The arrangement is a
satisfactory one, and the sick are well accommodated and attended to.
The lock hospital has been enlarged so as to give room for 20 beds, and
furnished with a good lavatory, dispensary and examination room. There was
an averag among
e of 90 women on the register, amon whom 245 admisssions into
hospital took place mainly for gonorrhœa and leucorrhœa. The European
garrison of Rawal Pindi averaged 1,500 men, among whom only 93 admissions
for venereal disease had taken place, and these were mostly due to intercourse
with irregular prostitutes. Difficulties had occurred in managing the hospital
owing to the misconduct of the matron and hospital assistant. The former was
dismissed, and the latter more strictly watched. Since then matters have gone
on more smoothly.