NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
xvi
Lock
hospitals
lence is deemed needful. The subject of lock hospitals is brought under the
notice of Government elsewhere. Extracts have, however, been made from
the inspection reports of Deputy Surgeons-General which go to show that, as
hospitals, the Management of these institutions is satisfactory ; their success,
as agencies for preventing disease and disability among soldiers, depends on
circumstances other than professional, which I do not feel called on to enter
upon.
32. The reports now submitted indicate, I am gratified to state, a con-
tinued appreciation of the medical and sanitary requirements of the native army,
and an earnest endeavour on the part of medical officers to remedy known
sanitary defects, and promote measures calculated to ameliorate the health and
comfort of the native soldiers serving in the Bengal Presidency.
I have the honor to be,
SIR,
Your most obedient Servant,
J. FULLARTON BEATSON, M.D.,
Surgeon-General, Indian Medical Service.
INDEX.
[The Regiments are placed as they stood in the Army List on the 1st of July 1874
.]
PRESIDENCY DISTRICT,
(Including the Stations of Fort William, Ballygunge, Alipore, Dum-Dum,, Barrackpore, Bhagalpur and
Dorundah).
P A G E .
P A G E .
37th (The Meerut) Native Infantry
1 39th (The Allyghur) Native Infantry
9
Viceroy's Body-Guard
3 39th (The Allyghur) Wing, Native Infantry
11
28th (Punjab) Native Infantry
4 4th Native Infantry
11
10th Native Infantry
6 33rd (Madras) Native Infantry
12
ALLAHABAD DIVISION,
(Including the Stations of Allahabad, Dinapore, Segowlie, Benares, Chunar and Cawnpore).
18th Bengal Cavalry
13 13th (The Shekhawattee) Native Infantry
21
33rd (The Allahabad) Native Infantry
15
1st Bengal Cavalry
25
2nd Native Infantry
19 35th (The Mynpoorie) Native Infantry
27
GWALIOR DISTRICT,
(Including the Stations of Morar and Jhansi).
6th Bengal Cavalry
31 34th (The Fatehgarh) Native Infantry
34
9th Native Infantry
32 24th (Punjab) Native Infantry
36
SAUGOR DISTRICT,
(Including the Stations of Jubbulpore, Saugor, Banda, Nagode and Nowgong).
16th (Madras) Native Infantry
39 11th (Madras) Native Infantry
46
3rd (Madras) Light Cavalry
40 3rd Bengal Cavalry
47
5th (Madras) Native Infantry
42 20th (Madras) Native Infantry—Right Wing
50
20th (Madras) Native Infantry—Head-Quarters
and Left Wing
43
RAJPOOTANA,
(Including the Stations of Deolee and Erinpoorah).
9th Bengal Cavalry
51 Erinpoorah Irregular Force
55
Deolee Irregular Force
54
CENTRAL INDIA,
(Including the Stations of Goonah, Augur, Kherwarra, Sirdarpore, Sehore and Ajmere).
1st Central India Horse
57 Malwa Bheel Corps
67
2nd Central India Horse
60 Bhopal Battalion
69
Meywar Bheel Corps
62 Mhairwarra Battalion
71
OUDH DIVISION,
(Including the Stations of Lucknow, Sitapur, Fyzabad and Gorakhpur).
19th Bengal-Cavalry (Lancers)
72 8th Native Infantry
80
6th Native Light Infantry
75
7th Bengal Cavalry
82
41st (The Gwalior) Native Infantry
76
1st Native Infantry
84
2nd Bengal Cavalry
79
MEERUT DIVISION,
(Including the Stations of Meerut, Agra, Delhi, Dehra Doon and Roorkee).
4th Bengal Cavalry
85 20th (Punjab) Native infantry
93
5th Native Infantry
87 2nd Goorkha (The Sirmoor Rifles)
96
18th (no Alipore) Native Infantry
89 Bengal Sappers and Miners
99
36th (The Bareilly) Native Infantry
91
ROHILCUND DISTRICT,
(Including the Stations of Bareilly, Moradabad. Skahjahanpore and Almora).
16th Bengal Cavalry
104 45th (Rattray's Sikhs) Native Infantry—Left Wing
110
11th Native Infantry
106
45th (Rattray's Sikhs) Native Infantry—Right
Wing
108
3rd Goorkha (The Kumaon)
1 1 1
ii
SIRHIND DIVISION,
(Including the Stations of Umballa and Jullundur).
P A G E
P A G E
15th Bengal (Cureton's Mooltanee) Cavalry
112 7th Native Infantry
115
32nd (Punjab) Native Infantry
113
LAHORE DIVISION,
(Including the Stations of Meean Meer, Ferozepore, Mooltan, Dhurmsala and Bakloh).
11th Bengal Cavalry
117 31st (Punjab) Native Infantry
126
17th (The Loyal Poorbeah) Native Infantry
118 40th (The Shahjahanpore) Native Infantry
128
25th (Punjab) Native Infantry
120 1st Goorkha Regiment
129
13th Bengal Cavalry (Lancers)
123 4th Goorkha Regiment
131
RAWAL PINDI DIVISION,
(Including the Stations of Rawal Pindi, Jhelum, Sialkot and Talagang).
14th Bengal Cavalry (Lancers)
133 23rd (Punjab) Native Infantry
139
14th (The Ferozepore) Native Infantry
134 17th Bengal Cavalry
140
21st (Punjab) Native Infantry
135 15th (The Ludhiana) Native Infantry
141
5th Bengal Cavalry
137 19th (Punjab) Native Infantry
143
22nd (Punjab) Native Infantry
138
PESHAWAR DISTRICT,
(Including the Stations of Peshawar, Nowshera and Doaba Outposts).
8th Bengal Cavalry
145 29th (Punjab) Native Infantry
151
12th Bengal Cavalry
146 30th (Punjab) Native Infantry
152
12th (The Kelat-i-Ghilzie) Native Infantry
148 10th Bengal Cavalry (Lancers)
1 5 4
26th (Punjab) Native Infantry
149 27th (Punjab) Native Infantry
155
PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE,
(Including the Stations of Abbottabad, Mardan, Kohat, Edwardesabad, Dera Ismail Khan, Dera
Ghazi
Khan and Rajanpur).
Hazara Mountain Battery
157 2nd Punjab Cavalry
1 7 1
5th Goorkha Regiment
158 1st Punjab Infantry
172
4th Punjab Infantry
161 1st Sikh Infantry
173
Corps of Guides
162 2nd Horse Light Field Battery
175
Peshawur Mountain Battery
164 5th Punjab Cavalry
175
No. 4 or Garrison Company of Artillery
165
6th Punjab Infantry
176
1st Punjab Cavalry
165
3rd Sikh Infantry
178
3rd Punjab Infantry
166 3rd Punjab Cavalry
180
2nd Sikh Infantry
167
2nd Punjab Infantry
181
4th Sikh Infantry
169
5th Punjab Infantry
183
3rd Horse Light Field Battery
170 4th Punjab Cavalry
185
EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT,
(Including the Stations of Shillong. Gowhati, Dibrugarh, Cachar, Dacca and Tezpur).
43rd (Assam) Native Infantry
187 16th (The Lucknow) Native Infantry—Right
Wing
200
42nd (Assam) Native Infantry
191
44th (Sylhet) Light Infantry
194 16th (The Lucknow) Native Infantry—Left
Wing
203
3rd Native Infantry
196
38th Native Infantry
204
STATISTICAL TABLES.
Table No. 1.—Statement showing Sickness, Mortality, and Invaliding in the Native Army of Bengal for the year 1874
207
" " II.—General Statement of the Sickness and Mortality of the Native Army of Bengal for
the year 1874
214
" " III.—Statement showing the age of the Sepoys of the Native Army and the death-rate
according to age
219
APPENDIX.
Medical History of the Duffla Expedition, by Deputy Surgeon-General J. T. C. Ross, F. R. C. S.
2 2 1
OF THE
NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL
FOR THE YEAR
1874.
[The Regiments are placed as they stood in the Army List on the 1st July 1874.]
PRESIDENCY DISTRICT,
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF FORT WILLIAM, BALLYGUNGE, ALIPORE, DUM-DUM, BARRACKPORE,
BHÁGÁLPUR, AND DORANDA.)
BENGAL TROOPS.
MADRAS TROOPS.
Average daily strength present during the year . . . Cavalry . . . 78.7 Infantry . . . 3123.7 Infantry . . . 546
Average daily sick per cent. of average strength . . .
" . . . 3.3 " . . .
5.5
" . . . 3.3
Ratio of mortality per cent. of average strength . . .
" . . . 1.1 " . . .
1.5
" . . . .99
37th (The meerut) Regiment, Aatibe Infantry—fort william.
Surgeon J. C. G. Carmichael, M. B., held medical charge of the Corps
during the year, and writes
the report. The regiment
has been stationed at Fort
William throughout the
year.
V. Barracks.—The barracks
are the same as were described in
last year's report. They are satis
-
factory, with the exception of the
bomb-proof barrack, which is de
-
cidedly badly ventilated. Care,
however, is taken to prevent the
men crowding in it as much as
possible. The barracks through
-
out are kept in perfect repair and
thoroughly clean.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths.
Daily sick.
1869
Bhágálpur, December
1868, from Gorakpur
134.8
1.3
4.4
1870
Right Wing, Bhágál-
pur, Left Wing, Di-
napore, Nov. 1869.
82.1
. 5 7 3.15
1871
Ditto ditto . . .
102.2
1.59
4.21
1872
Fort William,Nov.1872
118.8
3.43
3.69
1873
Ditto ditto . . .
154.9
2.04
4.84
Average . . .
118.5
1.78
4.05
1874
Fort William . . .
110.7
1.47
5.18
Medical
Officer.
Location.
Barracks.
VI. Drainage.—The system of drainage was fully entered into in last year's report; no
changes were required and none have been made.
VII. Conservancy and Latrines. —The hospital latrine, which has already been described
at length, continued to give unqualified satisfaction. His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief
at his inspection expressed himself pleased with it, and directed a similar erection to be made
for the use of the wing of the 39th Native Infantry stationed at Alipore. As an hospital
latrine, under constant supervision, and with a proportionally large staff (two methers to a
daily average sick of 31.18) constantly at work, no better or more convenient arrangement
could be desired.
The conservancy in the fort remains unchanged; regarding its working I have nothing
to add to what I said in last year's report.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and Latrines.
VIII. Water-supply.—The fort is supplied with water from the Calcutta Municipality.
It is good and wholesome, and is supplied in sufficient quantity.
Water-supply.
Hospital.
Health.
Deaths.
Medical
officers.
13
ALLAHABAD DIVISION.
as would appear to be the plan in Madras regiments, it should be made
pucca , or better still, shallow iron pans filled with dry-earth should be used.
The drains also should be of terrace work. The hospital was found to be in
excellent order and well equipped. The regiment does not appear to have
enjoyed the same health in 1874 as it did in the two previous years. In 1872
there were 149 admissions into hospital, with a daily sick-rate of 5.8 ; in 1873
the figures were slightly lower, 142 and 5.6 respectively, but in 1874 the ad
-missions amounted to 270, and the daily sick to 18.02. The principal causes of
sickness were—ague 122 admissions, rheumatism 22, chest affections 18, diar-
rhœa 11, and dysentery 9. Though the sick-rate was higher in 1874, the mor-
tality was considerably less than in either 1873 or 1872, the figures being 3,
5, 5 respectively. The fatal cases were due to pneumonia 1, diarrhœa 1, and
Bright's disease 1.
ALLAHABAD DIVISION.
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF ALLAHABAD, DINAPORE, SEGOWLIE, BENARES, CHUNAR, AND
CAWNPORE.)
Average strength present during the year . . .
Cavalry 744.5
Infantry
2,449.2
" daily sick per cent. of average strength . . .
" . . .
4.19
" . . .
.66
Ratio of mortality per cent. of average strength . . .
" . . .
3.71
" . . .
.89
18th Regiment, Bengal Cabalry—Allahabad.
I.— Medical officers during the year .—The following officers have been in
medical charge of the regiment during the year. viz . :—
Surgeon R. A. K. Holmes, M. D., from 1st January to 14th May.
" A. J. Wilcocks, M. B., from 14th May to 13th October.
" E. R. Johnson, M. B., from 13th to 24th October.
" W. Ashton, M. B., from 24th October to 1st December.
" R. A. K. Holmes, M. D., from 1st to 14th December.
" F. W. Wright, M. B., from 14th to 31st December, by which
latter officer the report is written.
II—Location and movements .—The head-quarters of the regiment has
remained at Allahabad
throughout the year. One
squadron has been sta
-tioned
at
Barrackpore
during the year.
VI .— Lines, barracks
and huts .—The lines for
this regiment are at Pa-
-pamow and have been
described in-former an
-nual reports. The men
live in huts, and these
huts may be divided into
three sets, viz ., 1st, those
in a pucca serai ; 2nd,
those immediately outside
and abutting against the
south wall of the serai ;
and 3rd, those isolated and situated about 500 yards to the south of the serui .
The huts inside and immediately outside the serai were considered to have
defective ventilation, but they are generally in good repair.
Y E A R .
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admission.
Death.
Daily sick.
1869 . . .
Pesháwar, Dec. 1867,
from Rawal Pindi.
296.1
7.8
7.0
1870 . . .
Mean Meer, Nov. 1870
292.1
3.7
5.67
1871 . . .
Ditto ditto . . .
09.04
2.02
3 . 1 2
1872 . . .
Ditto ditto . . .
132.9
.88
2.9
1873 . . .
Allahabad, Mar. 1873
133.1
.68
4 75
Average . . .
. . .
192.64
3.01.
4.68
1874 . . . Allahabad . . .
152.51
.44
5.52
Location and
movements.
Lines,
barracks, and
huts.
145
PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
Vaccination.
XIX. Vaccination.—With extremely few exceptions the men are protected by natural
or inoculated variola. Vaccine operations were carried on during the cold season among the
children of the lines, and were very generally successful.
The regiment was inspected by Deputy Surgeon-General G. Banister on
the 9th of October. He writes:—
The ratio of sick to strength per cent. during the previous six months had only
been a fraction above one, but malarial fevers of a mild type were then becoming fre
-quent. On the 11th of November the regiment marched for the camp of exercise at Rawal
Pindi, where they remained under canvas till the middle of February and enjoyed good
health. I found the lines clean and orderly, and the young trees had sprung up sufficiently
to moderate the heat and glare. The huts were in excellent repair, but rather indifferently
ventilated. The hospital arrangements were in all respects satisfactory, and the equipment
complete and efficient, with the exception of a few articles for the lavatory which I desired
might be immediately indented for.
Inspection
PESHAWAR DISTRICT.
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF PESHAWAR, NOWSHERA, AND THE DOABA OUT-POSTS.)
Average strength present during the year
Cavalry 1164 4; Infantry 3092.8
Average daily sick per cent. of the average strength
„ 4 . 3 2
„ 5 . 1 6 .
Ratio of mortality per cent. of the average strength
„ 1 . 3 2
„ 1 . 8 1
8th Bengal Cavalry.—Peshawar.
Location and
movements.
Surgeon G. Watson, M. D., who held the medical charge of the regiment
throughout the year, re
-ports that the regiment
was at the Camp of Exer
-cise at Roorkee on the 1st
January; marched thence
towards Peshawur on the
5th of that month; arrived
there on the 9th of March,
occupying the lines vacated
by the 16th Bengal Cavalry,
and remained at this station
to the end of the year.
Detachments, as detailed
in the margin, were given
to the Doaba Out-posts.
Dr. Watson considers
that the planting of trees
and improving of the wa-
ter-supply, both of which
undertakings are in progress, will improve the sanitary condition of the
station. The huts were improved somewhat by making additional ventilating
openings. The latrines have become offensive from saturation with urine,
but it is difficult to obtain fresh ground. Food supplies were cheap and good.
Blouses have been substituted for alkalikhs for ordinary duties with advan
- t a g e .
D u t i e s
h a v e n o t b e e n o p p r e s s i v e ; n i g h t s i n b e d h a v e v a r i e d f r o m 4
to 8. Some of the men cultivate small ornamental gardens. The hospital
affords ample and good accommodation: trees have been planted in its vicinity,
and afford grateful shade; and the building is well warmed by fires in the
cold weather.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869 Segowlie, Nov. 1865,
from Sitapur
66.8
.6
3.
1870 Meerut, February 1870 64.1
.8
2.7
1871
Do. do.
80.9
1.3
3.
1872
Do. do.
101.9
.6
3.3
1873
Do. do.
155.6
.8
4.3
Average.
93.9
.8
3.2
1874 Peshawar
134.07 1 . 1
3 . 5
Detachments.
Sanitary con
-
ditions.
N1
Prevalent
diseases.
Deaths.
Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Inspector.
146
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Sickness, mor
- t a l i t y a n d i n - v a l i d i n g .
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment—present 393.06;
absent 75.01; total 450.08.
PERIOD.
S t r e n g t h .
TOTAL NUM-
BER OF
D a i l y a v e r a g e n u m -
b e r o f s i c k .
PER CENT. OF
STRENGTH PER AN-
NUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions. Deat hs.
Admis-
sions.
De a t hs .
Dai l y
aver age
sick.
He a d - q u a r t e r a t I ml e e
Kheera en route to
Peshawar
1st January 31st Dec.
356.17
476
3 13.24 133.64 0.84 3.71
Detachment at Fort
Shubkuder
1st April
1st May
50.60
Ditto ditto Michnee 2nd May
30th June
48.00
4
0.40 50.69
0.83
Ditto ditto Shubkuder
Ditto ditto ditto
1st July
29th August .
28th August
30th October
50.00
50.00
8
19
0.71
1.26
98.98
220.16
1.42
2.52
Ditto ditto Michnee 31st October 29th Nov. 48. 00
20
2.90 507.61
6.04
Ditto ditto Shubkuder 30th Nov. 30th Dec. 50. 00
Ditto ditto Michnee 31st Dec.
31st Dec.
48.00
TOTAL
393.06
527
3 13.89 134. 07 0.76 3.53
Number of deaths in hospital, 3; out of hospital, 2; total 5; per cent. of total strength
1.11
„
.invalided 38; „ „
8.44
„ s e n t o n s i c k l e a v e 7 ; „ „
1.55
„
of days spent in hospitals, 5,075; per admission 9.63; per man „
11.27
„ „
on sick leave 447; per man 63.85; „ „
0.99
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
12.26
The year was, on the whole, comparatively healthy. Ague, bowel complaints,
injuries, rheumatism and boils, were the principal causes of sickness. The type
of the ague was mild. Three deaths occurred in hospital—one from ague, one
from dysentery, and one from aortic aneurism. No epidemic occurred. Ten men
and six children were vaccinated, and the sepoys are considered to be well
protected from small-pox.
Deputy Surgeon-General G. Banister inspected on the 3rd of April.
The regiment had recently arrived, and the lines were undergoing repair. The
hospital had been enlarged. The equipment of the lavatory was not complete,
the full proportion of dandees had not been received, and servants' houses
were wanting: otherwise the hospital arrangements were satisfactory.
Medical
charge.
Location and
movements.
Water-supply.
12th Bengal Gabalry—Peshawar.
Surgeon-Major H. M. Greenbow, who relieved Surgeon F. G. Constant
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869 Umballa Dec. 1868,
from Malligaum
84.5
1.
2.6
1870
Do. do.
103.3
1.
3.7
1871
Do. do.
82.6
.8
2.5
1872 Peshawar, Nov. 1872
109.1
.8
2.8
1873
Do. do.
220.
1.5
4.6
Average.
119.9
1.02
3 . 2
1874 Peshawar
156
1.09
4.1
in the medical charge in
March, has submitted the
annual report, from which
the following extracts have
been taken:—
II. Location, and move
-ments.—The head-quarters were
at Peshawar throughout the
year, the usual detachments
being furnished to the Doaba
Out-posts. They were, as a rule,
relieved monthly during the
cold, and bi-monthly during the
hot weather.
VIII.
W a t e r - s u p p l y .
—Since last report, an old well in the
lines, some 130 feet deep, has been re-opened and put in thoroughly good repair at the
PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE.
165
No. 4, or Garrison Company of Artillery-Kohat.
Surgeon-Major J. W. Johnston M. D., also held medical charge of this battery
at the close of the year. The
battery is composed of men
drafted from other frontier
batteries, who are consider-
ed fit for garrison duty,
though unfit for active
service. It was stationed
at Kohat throughout the
year, a detachment re-
maining at Fort Dhuleep
Sing at Edwardesabad from
May to November. Dr.
Johnston reports that no
change took place in its
sanitary circumstances.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.— Strength of the battery: present 62.97; absent
2.34; total 65.31.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869
Kohat
126.8
8.1
6.2
1870
Ditto
101.6
4
5.5
1871
Ditto
126.2
8.2
3.4
1872
Ditto
143.3
1.3
4.5
1873
Ditto
167.8
1.4
6
Averge
133.1
4.6
5.1
1874
Kohat
127
1.5
3.2
Medical
charge.
Composition.
Location.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
STATION.
PERIOD.
S t r e n g t h .
TOTAL NUM-
BER OF
D a i l y a v e r a g e n u m -
b e r o f s i c k .
PER CENT. OF
STRENGTH PER AN-
NUM.
From
To
Admis-
sions.
D e a t h s .
Admis-
sions.
D e a t h s . D a i l y a v e r a g e s i c k .
Head-quarters at Kohat 1st Jany
31st Dec.
49.42
62
1
1.91 125.57 2.02 3.86
Detachment at Edwardes-
abad
11th May 31st Dec.
21
18
. 5 7 132.84
2.71
TOTAL
62.97
80
1
2.06 127.04 1.58 3.27
Number of deaths in hospital 1; out of hospital Nil; total 1; per cent. of total strength
1.53
„ i n v a l i d e d 9
„ „ „
13.78
„ sent on sick leave 1 „ „ „
1.53
„ of days spent in hospital 752; per admission 9.4; per man of total strength
11.51
„ „ „ o n s i c k l e a v e 1 2 3 ; m a n 1 2 3 ;
„
„
„
1.88
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
13.39
As compared with 1873, the health of the battery was good. Fevers, bowel
complaints, and lung diseases were the most common ailments. One death took
place in hospital from phthisis. No epidemic disease occurred, and no vaccina-
tion was performed.
1st Regiment Punjab Cavalry,-Kohat.
• Surgeon George Thomson, M.B., in medical charge, reports:—
II. Location and movements.-
The head-quarters of the regi-
ment was stationed at Kohat
till 1st December, on which date
it commenced its march in course
of relief towards Rajanpur, where
it arrived on 29th December.
A strong detachment was sta-
tioned at Abbottabad from 1st
January to 25th October, when it
was relieved by the Guide Cavalry
and proceeded to Attock to join
the camp of His Honor the Lieu-
tenant-Governor of the Punjab on
escort duty. The Abbottabad de-
tachment is usually relieved every
six months.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869
Edwardesabad, Febru-
ary 1869, from Dera
Ismail Khan
289. 9
2.9
7.9
1870
Ditto ditto
233.4
2.5
6.2
1871
Ditto ditto
173.9
1.8
4.6
1872
Kohat, February 1872 149. 7
3 . 7
3.7
1873
Ditto ditto
100.7
2.
2.1
Average
189.5
2 . 6
4.9
1874
Kohat
122.8
.62
2 . 6
General
health.
Mortality.
Epidemic.
Vaccination.
Medical
charge.
Location.
Detachments.