86
MADICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Inspection.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.— The principal causes of mortality were as fol-
lows :—simple continued fever 1; ague 2 ; pneumonia 1; dysentery 1; general debility
1; gun-shot wound 1; total in hospital, 7. In addition to the above, one man was
hanged on the regimental parade ground, and three others died at their homes while on
sick leave. Deducting the case of gun-shot wound from the deaths in hospital, I find
the percentage of deaths to strength present was only 0 . 92, which is a very considerably lower
percentage than that of any of the five previous years, except in 1873 at Jhansi, when the
percentage of deaths to strength only amounted to 0 . 86. There is no record as to the causes
of death of those men who died at their homes while on sick leave.
XVIII.
Epidemics.—There were no epidmics in the regiment during the year.
XIX. Vaccination.—There were 90 sepoys vaccinated in 1877, all of whom are returned
as "bearing no marks of previous vaccination or small-pox." The results stated are that in
65 there was a perfect vaccine vesicle, in 7 a modified one, and in 18 a failure. I have reason
to know that the state of vaccination in the regiment is very satisfactory.
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General E. C. Thorpe, M. D., inspected on
the 21st of December. The results of inspection were in every respect satis-
factory.
8th Regiment, native Infantry.—Agra.
Medical
Officer.
Location and
movements.
Detachments,
Meteorology
and climate.
Lines,
Drainage.
Latrines.
Food.
Duty
Recreations.
Hospital.
Chicks,
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon A. Scott Reid, m.B.,has held medical charge
of the regiment throughout
the year.
II. Location and move-
ments.—The head-quarters of the
regiment have been stationed at
Agra. A detachment, 55 strong,
was posted at Alwar from the
1st January to the 20th January,
and another of 164. 71 average
strength, under a European Officer,
at Fatehgarh from the former
date to the 25th December, when
it rejoined head-quarters. On
the 28th December a detachment
of 88 men marched to Muttra for
temporary duty, and remained at
the station until the end of the
year.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—There has been an unusually scanty rainfall, the total
quantity during the year amounting to 13 . 51 inches, of which 6 . 60 inches fell during the last
three months, and the greater portion of the remainder early in the season. The hot weather
was consequently a long and severe one, the absence of moisture raising the prices of provi-
sions for a time to nearly those of famine rates, and entailing considerable hardship upon the
inhabitants of the district.
Happily, however, the fall of rain which took place towards the end of the season served
to improve the prospects of the ensuing crops and relieve the temporary distress.
The men are reported to be comfortably accommodated both at Agra and
Fatehgarh. The lines in the former station are well-drained, but the parade-
ground, which is in front of the huts, is next to a road, impeding the removal
of surface water, which stagnates, and gradually evaporates. The latrines (dry-
earth) work well, and water, though containing a good deal of saline matter, is
abundant and good.
Compensation was given for dearness of provisions, and the men are well-fed.
The blankets sanctioned by Government for hospital use are a great boon. Duty,
though severer than at Fyzabad, is not injurious to health ; the nights in bed 8.6.
The men indulge in wrestling and clubs, but do not attempt shikar or gardening.
XI V . Hospital.—The hospital is a large, airy, pucka building, and thoroughly ventilated.
The latter quality, although highly conducive to health and comfort during nine months of the
year, has rather the contrary effect during the remaining three, when the temperature, particu-
larly in the early morning, falls very low. The patients then suffer from the bitterly cold
draughts which blow through it, and which, with the numerous doors and openings, it is
impossible to provide against. All the outer doors and openings in verandahs have been
provided with: coarse clucks and these serve in a large measure to exclude the heat and
glare of the hot weather, as well as the swarms of flies which used to be such a nuisance in
t-he rains.
The usual annual repairs have been carried out, and the whole building is at present
perfectly water-tight.
YEAR.
•
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
-
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Alipore, Jan. 1870, from
Jhansi
.
.
.
244.4
3.13
6.34
1873
. Fyzabad,
Jan. 1873
110.8
2.63
3.27
1874
.
Ditto
.
91.2
1.73
2.95
1875
.
Ditto
.
122.63
.85
2.78
1876
. Agra, 21st Jan. 1876 .
91.9
1.43
3.28
Average
.
132.18
1.95
3.72
1877.
.
Agra .
.
.
.
64.04
2.00
2.32