Principal
causes of
mortality.
Small-pox.
Vaccination.
Recommenda.
tions.
Medical
officers
Location and
movements.
Topography.
and physical
geography.
Prevalent
diseases:
Measles.
Cholera.
16
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Fevers, from which the majority of admissions took place, were of mild
type, with little subsequent debility. Dysentery, which caused the next highest
number, was readily amenable to ipecacuanha, and bael was also found useful.
Syphilis caused 22 admissions, and this is said not to represent the whole number
of cases occurring in the regiment ; for the men have a delicacy in coming
to hospital for venereal diseases. No preventive measures are adopted at
Bhagalpur. The statistics of rheumatism are said to be unreliable ;
because many of the cases are held to be either trivial or simulated. Blister
of the feet caused 16 admissions.
Principal causes of mortality.— Of six deaths, two died at their homes, probably of
debility (causes of death unknown), two died on their way to rejoin, from furlough, one from
cholera, and the other by accidentally falling off the roof of a house. The other two died in-
hospital. one from Phthisis pulmonalis, the other from aneurism of the arch of the aorta.
X VIII.
Epidemics.—There was one case of semi-confluent small-pox which was treated in
a tent, afterwards destroyed. Isolation was carried out stringently. Inunction with oil was
daily practised until the scabs had thoroughly desiccated, and the patients' clothes with those of
his sick attendants were destroyed before they were permitted to join the ranks.
Measles.—There were eight cases of measles treated in the detached building mentioned
in paragraph XIV. All the cases were of a very mild character, and made good recoveries.
A few of the camp-followers' children also suffered from the disease.
Cholera.—There were also two cases of cholera; among the latter class one child died, the
other recovered. With reference to causation of these diseases, it is not far to seek. The
bazars in the vicinity are at all seasons fruitful hot-beds for them.
Recruiting.
inspection.
Detachment.
XIX. Vaccination.—The regiment is well protected by previous small-pox. No vaccina-
tion was practised during the year.
XX. Recommendations.— The principal recommendations during the year were with refer-
ence to dieting, ventilation of huts, latrines, &c. On one occasion cholera was so prevalent
in the vicinity, that it was thought advisable to post sentries, preventing either egress or
ingress from or to cantonments. Heavy dews prevailed at that time during the night, and
as it was found that the night duty was generally followed by catarrhs and coughs among
the sentries, it was promptly put a stop to, and the men cautioned as to wandering from
the cantonments and the various places they were to avoid. It was also thought prudent to
place all men rejoining from furlough at this season under surveillance in tents before
being admitted to the lines. I have pleasure in stating that all recommendations bearing
on the health and efficiency of the men always receive the commanding officer's prompt
and cordial attention.
XXI. Recruiting.—The recruits obtained during the past year were inferior in physique
to those obtained while the regiment was at Meerut. Recruiting parties are sent up-country,
and the recruits are medically and otherwise inspected at the nearest station. They are likewise
inspected after arrival at head-quarters. The recruiting parties report their recruiting fields
less prolific than formerly used to be the case, and that only youngsters of inferior calibre
can be procured. It is wonderful though how well they fill out on a good regular diet. During
the past year 24 were entertained, their average height, chest measurement, and stated age
being respectively as follows :
—
5 feet 7 ½ inches ; 34 inches ; 19 ½ years.
Deputy Surgeon-General J. Irving, M. D ., inspected on the 18th of Novem-
ber 1877, and found the sanitary condition of the lines to be satisfactory, and
the hospital arrangements all that could be desired. The men were in good
health, but some of the recruits were not up to the mark. A company of
Dogras, Goorkhas, and hill-men which had just returned from Nya Dumka
was inspected. The men looked anaemic. Food is said to be dear at Dumka,
and vegetables scarce. The system of trench latrines works well.
The detachment at Nya Dumka was inspected on the 7th of December.
The hospital arrangements were satisfactory, and the men (B and C Companies)
in good health. Vegetables are not so plentiful as at Bhagalpur, and the men
do not keep cows. These circumstances may account for the slight deterior-
ation of health noticed by Surgeon MacRae.
10th Regiment Native Infantry L e f t H a l f B
a t t a l i o n — D a c c a .
I. Medical Officers.—Surgeon J. C. Fullerton was in medical charge of
this wing from the 1st January to the 16th April, and Surgeon G. H. Peevor
from the 17th April to the end of the year.
II. Location and movements.— The wing has remained at Dacca during the entire year,
no movements having. been made.
III. Topography and physical geographs. —The chur mentioned in a previous report
as existing in the river immediately opposite the lines has much increased in the last year.
It now extends for some distance down the river to the east of cantonments, and towards the