EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT.
207
Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General W. H. Adley made the annual medical
inspection on the 26th of September 1877. The lines were in good sanitary
condition and the hospital arrangements satisfactory. Mr. Adley reports on the
health of the regiment as follows :—
" The regiment was inspected on parade. The recruits were of a fair average stamp. The
improvement in general health of the men since last inspection was very considerable, and
would appear to have been in consequence of relief from the outpost duties of Jheereeghat and
Mynadhur. The last arrivals from this outpost were still readily distinguishable from those
men of the regiment who had remained at head-quarters by their anæmic, jaundiced condition.
Restoration to their former state of health is likely to be protracted or doubtful. A complete
change of climate will probably be necessary."
Inspection.
10th Regiment, Aatibe Infantry—Jalpaiguri.
I. Medical Officer.—The annual sanitary report has been furnished by
Surgeon-Major H. W. Spry,
who was in medical charge
during the greater part of
the year.
II. Location and movements.—
The head-quarters and right wing
of the regiment have been station-
ed at Jalpaiguri throughout the
year; the left wing at Dacca.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—
There was nothing particularly
worthy of remark in the meteoro-
logy of the past year. Rain
fell late in March, and there
was little sickness in the station
until October, when the average
of sick rose considerably, i.e., for
the first nine months the daily
average of sick was 9.75 ; the last three months 17.75. This, I believe, was attributable to the
great variation of temperature between night and day ; the sun having great power in the
day, and a sudden fall of temperature taking place at sunset with cold nights. The rainfall,
although abundant, was less than in the two years previous, viz.,—
1875
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 102.64
1876 .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 113.63
1877 .
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
. . .
.
96.03
YEAR.
STATION.
PEN CENT OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Barrackpore and Alipore,
A p r i l 1 8 7 2 .
275.4
2.1
7.9
1873
.
Ditto
.
.
175.9
3.3
5.6
1874
. Barrack pore
.
.
172.2
2.7
6.4
1875
.
Ditto
.
.
.
230.9
6.4
13.3
1876
. Jalpaiguri and Dacca
Jan. 1876.
141.37
9.77
6.32
Average
.
.
199.15
4.85
7.90
1877
. Jalpaiguri and Dacca .
123.19
2.77
3.98
Medical
Officer.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology
and climate.
The lines are kept in good repair, and there is no over-crowding. A
porous soil, and proximity to the Teesta, ensure efficient drainage. The
trench latrine system has been established, but it is doubtful if it will
work well during the rains. The Teesta water is excellent, and is used for
all purposes.
IX. Diet.—The sepoys received, on the average, monthly in the past year Rs. 4-8 for dearness
or provisions. The sick in hospital received half a seer of milk in lieu of half a seer of flour of
the ordinary diet, at the discretion of the medical officer. When the regiment first arrived,
on 24th January 1876, scurvy was prevalent, but this has now entirely disappeared.
X. Clothing.—Is suitable to climate and seasons of the year ; the old boots that caused
so many foot-sores, especially among the young sepoys, have been replaced by better ones, and
socks have also been issued, which is a great improvement.
Duties have been light; nights in bed average 4.48. The sepoys resort to
the gymnasium for recreation.
The hospital furnishes sufficient and excellent accommodation, and is in good
repair.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment—
Present .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
408.83
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
39.02
Total
.
.
447.85
Lines,
drainage.
Trench
latrine.
Water.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duties.
Recreation.
Hospital.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.