tion in their number left a residue of comparatively more serious and prolong-
ed sickness. The figure for 1876 was, however, unusually favorable; for the
average period of detention in hospital in 1875 was 11.02 days, and in 1874, 11.2
The average period spent on sick leave does not possess the same signifi-
cance as regards severity of sickness as the average period spent in hospital.
8. The total number of deaths was 847, of which 510 took place in
hospital, 48 in the lines, and 289 among men not under medical supervision,
on furlough, sick leave, &c. These three figures represent percentages of 60.3,
5.6, and 34.1 upon the whole number of deaths, against 60.2, 1.4, and 384 in
1876. The causes of death in the first two groups are accurately known; but
in the case of absentees, except when they happen to have been admitted into
a military or civil hospital and died there, the true causes of death are seldom
ascertainable with sufficient accuracy to justify their admission into statis-
tical returns. The rate of deaths " present " per cent. of strength " present " was
. 9 4 i n 1 8 7 7 , a g a i n s t 1 . 0 5 , 1 . 3 2 , 1 . 0 6 , 1 . 3 5 , a n d 1 . 0 3 i n t h e f i v e p r e c e d i n g y e a r s ,
and the proportion of deaths in hospital per cent. of treated, .95, against .74,
.94, .74, .93, and .92. These figures are not of much significance; but they
present a remarkable similarity from year to year, and 1877 does not constitute
a conspicuous exception to the rule of previous years.
9. The average strength of European officers attached to the Native Army
in 1877 was 601.64, against 572 in 1876. Among these, 275 were placed on
the sick list, and 5 deaths took place, or 45.7 and .83 per cent of strength,
against 44.93 and .69 in 1876, and 47.23 and .51 in 1875. Two of the deaths
were clue to violent causes. The other casualties were due to apoplexy, enteric
f e v e r a n d c h o l e r a .
The officers whose deaths were due to violent causes were Colonel Craigie,
Commanding the 1st Native Infantry, and Captain Swaney, of the 17th Bengal
Cavalry : the former casualty resulting from a carriage accident in canton-
ments ; the latter from a severe sabre-cut received in action with the enemy.
T h e l e s s o n p l a i n l y d e d u c i b l e f r o m C a p t a i n S w i n e y ' s s a d d e a t h i s , t h a t s o m e o f
the native non-commissioned officers in every regiment should be carefully
instructed in the use of field tourniquets, the application of bandages, and other
simple operations, which they might easily master under a little patient
instruction, such as Surgeon-Major J. E. Tuson, M. D., initiated in his regiment,
the 16th. Bengal Cavalry, and which, I am glad to see, Surgeon G. P.
Mackenzie, M.B., has been assiduously carrying out in the 3rd Bengal Cavalry
also. Many a life may in the future be saved by the extension of the practice.
10. In Statement No. V the statistics of the Artillery, Cavalry and Infantry
are exhibited separately, and those of the four preceding years re-produced for
the sake of comparison.
STATEMENT No. V.
Showing the statistics of Artillery,Cauvalry and Infantry separately.
S T R E N G T H .
PER CENT, OF STRENGTH.
Present.
Absent.
Total.
Admissions.
Deaths.
Daily sick.
1877
Artillery
6 3 2 . 6 7
76.07
708.74
244.36
.56
5.68
Cavalry
9876.36
2321.93 12198.29
83.14
.87
2.78
Infantry
43766.38
6120.14 49886.52
119.66
1.47
3.62
1876
Artillery
512.6
84.4
597.
225.32
1.34
5.26
Cavalry Cava
9830.2
2371.5
12201.7
1 2 4 . 7 3
1.05
3.66
I nfantry
43498.4
6353.9
49852.3
143.02
1 . 5 8
3.94
1875
Artillery
493.4
112.
605.4
231.86
1.48
5.59
Cavalry
9841.5
2351.5
12193.
119.18
1.03
3.63
Infantry
43282.1
6714.
49996.1
129.76
1.78
4.15
1874
Artillery
516 9
93.
609.9
217.64
.97
4.41
Cavalry
9753.6
2400.7
12154.3
• 128.0
1.04
4.20
Infantry
42603.6
7122.2
49725.8
133.08
1.67
4.23
1873
Artillery
501.3
108.4
609.7
228.66
1.31
4.61
Cavalry
9815.9
2290.3
12106.2
122.10
1.12
3.84
Infantry
43108.5
6374.0
49482.5
133.60
1.89
4.24
Analysis or
morfitlity.
Statistics of
European
officers.
Statistics
A rtillery.
Cavalry awl
Infantry.
2