Medical
charge.
Location and
movements.
139
RAWAL PINDI DIVISION.
On the effect of the camp of exercise on the health of the men
Mr. Dale
writes
:—
Not having been at the camp, I am unable to speak as to the effect of the change on the
health of the men from personal observation. The returns, however, shew that, if not bene
-
ficial, the camp life was in no way prejudicial. During seven weeks, from 9th of November to
close of year, only 37 admissions into hospital are recorded, the cases being for the most part
trifling and none proved fatal. It is difficult to institute any comparison with similar periods
or with equal bodies of men. As regards the latter, the men who went were the robust and
healthy, the old and weakly having been weeded out and left at Jhelum; again the weather
was unusually favorable; little or no rain fell, even in December, in which month heavy down
-
pours are in most years the rule.
Deputy Surgeon-General G. Banister, in his inspection report, dated 13th
October, writers:—
The barracks were in good repair, fairly ventilated, and free from crowding; but the streets
and pathways were neither clean nor orderly. A man suffering from enlarged spleen, and a
gunner of No. 4 Garrison Company of Artillery were the only serious cases out of 14
under treatment. There were no convalescents, and none on the sick list, and the health of
the regiment had been remarkably good throughout the year. The hospital was in excellent
order, and all the arrangements perfectly satisfactory. There were no deficiencies in the
equipment, and the records were complete and written up to date.
The hospital servants complained to the Deputy Surgeon-General of
being unprovided with suitable quarters.
Effect of
camp life on
health.
Inspection.
23rd (Punjab) Regiment Native Infantry—Jhelum.
YEAR.
STATIONS.
PERCENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions
Deaths. Daily sick.
1869 . . . Rawal Pindi, August
1868, from Peshawur
70.8
1.2
3.4
1870 . . .
Do. do. . . .
90.7
1.
4.2
1871 . . .
Do. do. . . .
55.6
1 2
2.5
1872 . . .
Do. do. . .
64.7
. 5 2.2
1873 . . . Jhelum, February 1873
58.9
. 2 1.9
Average . . .
. . .
68.1
. 8 2.8
1874 . . .
Jhelum . . .
75.32
. 7 2 2.3
I . S u r g e o n - M a j o r E . T a y l o r , w h o r e l i e v e d S u r g e o n B o y d i n t h e m e d i c a l
charge of the regiment in
April, reports:—
The head-quarters of the
Regiment were stationed at
Jhelum from the 1st of Janu
-
ary to the 10th of November;
on the march from the 10th of
November to the 15th; and at
the camp of exercise, at Rawal
Pindi from the 15th of Novem
-
ber to the 31st of December.
A detachment, which left Jhelum
for Attock on the 20th of August,
rejoined head-quarters at Rawal
Pindi on the 5th of December,
and a detchment was at Jhelum,
from the 10th of November to the 31st of December.
The lines are said to be overcrowded, but this does not seem to have affect
-
ed the health of the regiment prejudicially. They are well drained. The
same system of latrines is in force; with a sufficient establishment and larger
number of screens, Mr. Taylor thinks it would work well. The well-
water is good and sweet as long as it is regularly drawn. If not drawn,
the water swarms with animalculæ and exhales a putrid odour. Food
supplies were abundant and cheap, and the men live well; but those with
families find a difficulty in making ends meet; still they are averse to extra
-
regimental employments as the following passage testifies.
Detachment.
Lines.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water.
Food.
XII. Exercise &c.—With parades, drills, musketry exercise, &c., the time of the men is pret
-
ty nearly taken up. Gardening is encouraged, and some of the men weave and knit. The Muz
-
bees do not care for regular employment by which they might earn a little money when not on
duty. Last harvest there was a great demand for labor, the crops were heavy, and nearly all ripe
about the same time. The commanding officer offered to allow all men who could be spared
from duty to engage in gathering in the corn; not a single man accepted the offer, though
those with families might have made from eight annas to one rupee eight annas a day; yet
those men when ordered to do work by which they will gain nothing, do it with such a will
and so cheerfully, that it is quite a pleasure to watch them.
The duties have been light; nights in bed 8.15. The hospital is in good
repair, and affords sufficient accommodation. It is well warmed and lighted
,
and spare blankets are kept in store for those requiring them; servants' houses
have not yet been built for want of the necessary funds.
Exercise &c.
Duties.
Hospital.