Vaccination.
Recruits.
134
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Inspection.
XIX. Vaccination.—None as far as I am aware. The men are fairly protected by
previous disease, or by vaccination formerly.
The recruits are fine young lads, as a rule, and promise to grow into strong men ; they
also seem to me to be of a better class than we formerly got in the Punjab regiments, and this,
I believe, is chiefly owing to the additional inducements to enlist, as a sepoy's pay is now very
good, and he also receives a free kit, which they look upon as a great boon. Altogether, I may
conclude by saying that, during the time I have been in this regiment, I do not recollect
ever seeing the men in better health or more fit for any physical exertion which they may
have to undergo.
Inspection.—The regiment was inspected by Deputy Surgeon-General F. F.
Allen, c. B., on the 5th September 1877. The lines were clean and in good
sanitary condition. The hospital was in excellent order, and its equipment
efficient. The corps has been very healthy during its stay at Rawal Pindi,
and there were only 6 patients in hospital on the day of inspection.
Brigade Staff Hospital ; inspected 10th September ; Surgeon R. G. Thom-
sett, A.M.D., in charge. The Deputy Surgeon-General found the hospital in good
order, but it was occupied mainly by artillery followers, to the exclusion of other
natives for whom the place is more specially intended. Steps were taken at once
to rectify this. Three thousand two hundred and seventy one in-door patients had
been treated up to date of inspection, and 1,743 out-door ; daily average sick
8·87 in-door, and 4·80 out-door. Three deaths had taken place among the
former. Mr. Allen points out the want of a dooly and bearers and servants'
houses. The hospital arrangements were otherwise satisfactory.
Lock Hospital ; also under Surgeon Thomsett's charge ; inspected on the
same day. There were 14 patients in hospital. The building and out-buildings
were in good repair. A new latrine had been built on the dry-earth system.
The Deputy Surgeon-General suggested the planting of a few trees and shrubs,
in order to afford shade and make the place more cheerful looking. The hospital
was clean, and all its arrangements satisfactory. The patients are kindly
treated ; they receive two annas a day as a diet allowance. Venereal complaints
are said to have decreased among European troops since the establishment of
this hospital.
12tlt Regiment,
Bengal Cabalrp—Jhelum.
Medical
Officer.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology
and climate.
Hospital.
Sickness,
mortality, and
invaliding.
I. Medical Officer.—Surgeon-Major F. G. Constant, M.D., has continued in
medical charge.
II . Location and movements.—
The regiment remained cantoned
at Jhelum the whole year, and
no detachments were furnished.
A few men were on special duty
at Rawal Pindi during the
months April to June, and two
or three small escorts were
provided.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—
The monsoon set in unusually late,
and the fall of rain was so slight
as to cause no reduction in the
temperature at that season.
The report records nothing new regarding sanitary conditions except that
prices of food were towards the latter half of the year about twice as high
as they had been in 1876. The men did not stint themselves and are well
nourished.
XIV. Hospital.—There has been no alteration in the hospital accommodation since last
year. Though excellent for the hot weather, the great size of the building and its numerous
doors cause the cold to be greatly felt in the winter months. A fire was commenced on 14th
December. Annual repairs are duly executed. The sanctioned number of blankets are kept
on hand, and they are made use of as occasion requires. The hospital latrine is on the dry-
earth plan.
XV. Sickness, mortality, and invaliding.— Strength of the regiment
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
390.55
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
65.64
Total
.
. 456.19
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Peshawar, Nov. 1872 .
109.1
.8
2.8
1873
.
Ditto
.
220.
1.5
4.6
1874
.
Ditto
.
156.
1.09
4.1
1875
.
Ditto
.
177'35
2.4
3.69
1876
, Jhelum, March 1876
.
102.78
.26
2.61
Average
.
.
.
153.04
1.21
3.56
1877
. Jhelum
.
,
50.69
.87
1.53