Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Inspection.
112
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Deaths.
the introduction of the Contagious Diseases' Act. This Dr. Govan considers
most desirable. The case of strangulated hernia reported last year has turned
out a complete success.
The mortality was very much smaller, and the diseases were generally of a
milder type; the causes of death were,—one from pneumonia, and one from
dysentery.
There was not any epidemic disease. The vaccination of the regiment is
attended to by the vaccination department.
Dr. Cannon inspected on the 14th of November 1874. He found the
accommodation for hospital assistants and medical pupils insufficient. He con
-siders it "absolutely necessary that the Contagious Diseases' Act should be intro
-duced into Almorah for the protection of the men of the regiment and the native
community in general." The pucca masonry latrines built for the men at a
cost of Rs. 3,000 were not used for want of proper fittings and an establish
-ment. The hospital arrangements were satisfactory.
SIRHIND DIVISION.
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF UMBALLA AND JULLUNDUR.)
Average daily strength present during the year . . . Cavalry 386.2 . . . Infantry 1,166.5
" sick per cent. of average strength . . .
"
2.49 . . . "
6.07
Ratio of mortality per cent. of average strength . . .
"
.22 . . . "
1.16
15th Regiment Bengal ( Cureton's Mooltannee) Cavalry—Umballa.
Location.
Sanitary
circumstances
of the regi-
ment.
Hosptal
Trees.
Chicks.
Surgeon-Major W. H. Atley in medical charge reports that the regi
-ment remained at Umballa
throughout the year, pro
-viding detachments,
relieved half yearly, for
garrison duties at Jullun
-dur.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869
Mooltan, January 1866
from Jhansi.
151
.8
3.4
1870
Peshawar, Nov. 1869 . . .
194.9
1.7
3.9
1871
Ditto ditto
110.5
1.5
3.7
1872
Ditto ditto
152.8
2.3
3.8
1873
Umballa Feb. 1873 . . .
58.9
1.7
1.9
Average.
133.6
1.6
3.3
1874
Umballa . . .
76.3
.21
2.5
XIV. Hospital.—No change in the internal arrangements except the supply of head-rests
and chicks. A double row of trees has been planted in front of the entrance door with the view
of affording shelter, much required during the hot months, or for the benefit of patients waiting
for examination or medicine. In planting a double row of trees for shade it is desirable that
the nearer row should be formed of some wide-spreading umbrageous tree of moderate
growth, while the more distant row should consist of trees of more lofty growth. The Serus
(Acacia Speciosa) thrives well throughout the Punjab and North-Western Provinces, an
-swering the first purpose admirably; while the sheeshum (Dalbergia Sissoo) fulfils all necessary
purposes for the second row, supplementing shade where the former, from its moderate height,
fails to afford it.
The necessity for a supply of chicks was found to be very urgent. In the neighbour
-hood of a cavalry regiment especially, flies, atracted by horse litter, swarm and form a
source of particular annoyance to the sick, rendering slumber in the day-time almost an im
-possibility. Application was made to Government to sanction a supply; the application
proving fruitless, they were provided under regimental arrangements, and gratefully appre
-ciated by the patients.
No alteration has taken
place in the sanitary cir
-cumstances of the regi
- m e n t , w h i c h a r e r e p o r t e d
as being satisfactory; the
duties were light; number
of nights in bed 6.53.