Meteorology
and climate.
Lines, drain-
age.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water-supply.
Analysis.
Diet, &c.
hospital.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
Principal
causes of
sickness.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
Epidemics.
THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL,
forty miles from the Nepaul frontier ; the river Raptee, a tributary of the Gogra, lies west and
south of the station. The country immediately around is flat, and in the rainy season becomes
extensively flooded. There are several very large swamps not far from the station, and one
in the immediate vicinity lying south and east called the Ramghur Tal.
IV. Meteorology and climate.— The climate is moist and somewhat relaxing there was
very little rain, comparatively speaking, during the year ; and what did come was late. This
led. to great destruction of crops and consequent distress and famine, owing to the absence
of rain. The hot weather was very trying.
The site of the lines is elevated, and their drainage (surface) is thus
easy. The cantonment drains have been widened, deepened and levelled. The
huts. are in good repair and well ventilated. New married quarters are in
process of erection to west of the lines.
VII.
Conservancy and latrines.— A large latrine on the dry-earth. system is in course
of construction near and to the west of the lines. The latrine arrangements during 1877 were
as follows :—for the weakly men and for females of the regiment trenches were dug in a plot
of ground south and somewhat west of the lines, and moveable screens provided. When these
trenches were used, they were filled up and others dug. Owing to want of space this accommo-
dation was restricted to the weakly men and to the women as above mentioned. The great
body of sepoys were instructed to resort to fields south of the lines for purposes of nature,
sentries being posted at commanding points to make sure that the men went out to a good
distance. When the latrine, mentioned above as in process of construction, is completed, there
will be ample accommodation. The dry-earth system and disinfectants are used in the
hospital latrine.
VIII.
Water-supply.—The water is obtained from pucka wells, two of which are situated
in the lines, one near the regimental bazar, and one near the hospital; the surface distance of
the water in these wells averages about 22 feet. A rough analysis and examination of the
water from each of these wells was made by me in October.
The result of this analysis, which is given in detail, was to prove that the
water of the well in the lines was good, but that of the other indicated an
excess of vegetable organic material in process of decay. A recommendation.
was made that it should be emptied and repaired, which was done. Both wells
are fitted with a roof, parapet and drains. As regards diet, clothing and duties, the
men are favorably circumstanced: nights in bed 8.08. Gymnastics, gardening and
sport are resorted to. All the hospital buildings and out-houses are in good repair.
The men have ample bedding, the sanctioned allowance of blankets having been
received. In June, owing to the great prevalence of ague, tents had to be
pitched to supplement the hospital.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding .—Strength of the regiment,—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
612.98
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
72.18
Total
.
685.16
Head-quarters at Delhi and
Gorukhpore
.
.
.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
O F
Daily
average
number
of sick.
PER CENT
P E R C E N T
OF ST R EN GTH
ANNUAL.
From
To
Admis-
sions.
Deaths.
Admis-
s i o n s . Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
1st Jan. 1877 31st Dec. 1877
612.98
872
7
27.76
142.25
1.14
4.52
Number of deaths in hospital, 7; out of hospital, 2; total
9, per cent. of total strength
.
1.31
„
invalied
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
7
„ „
.
.
1.02
„
sent on sick leave
.
.
.
.
.
.
6;
„
„
.
.
.
0.87
„
of days spent in hospital 10,203; per admission .
11.70; per man of total strength
.
.
14.88
„ „
on sick leave 605; per man .
. 100.83;
„
„
.
.
.
0.88
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
.
15.76
XVI.
Principal causes of sickness .—Intermittent fevers caused 599 admissions into
hospital, dysentery 32, diarrahœa 23, boils 22, venereal diseases 15, blistered feet 20,
bronchitis 10, pneumonia 7.
XVII.
Principal causes of mortality.— Seven deaths took place in hospital and 2 out of
hospital. Of the deaths in hospital 2 were due to pneumonia, 2 to diarrhœa, 1 to bronchitis
(6 capillary), 1 encephalitis, and 1 to sunstroke. One man died at his home while on sick
leave from dysentery, and one in the native general hospital at Delhi from pneumonia.
XVIII.
Epidemics.—There were no epidemics in the regiment ; cholera prevailed in the
district, jail and city of Gorakhpur (but did not affect cantonments) in August, September,
October and November; many cases occurred in the district previously. While the disease pre-
vailed the sepoys were prohibited from entering the city of Gorakhpur.