Precautions
against
cholera.
Small-pox,
The Presi-
dency Dis-
trict.
The 38th
Native
Infantry.
The Wing of
the 10th
Native In-
fantry at
Dacca.
Effect of
residence in
Bengal on
up-country
sepoys.
xxi
The particulars related in the reports of the 2nd Bengal Cavalry, 2nd Central
India Horse, Meywar Bheel Corps, 8th and 40th Native Infantry, regarding pre-
cautions adopted to protect these corps from cholera, are interesting. Although
small-pox was very prevalent throughout the Presidency, and prevailed severely in
Cawnpore, Lucknow and Bareilly, only 37 cases and 5 deaths took place during
the year in the Native Army. The reports show that the men are well protected
against small-pox ; and that when any men are found not to be so, care is taken
to have them vaccinated. Chicken-pox, measles and mumps broke out in some
regiments, but they caused very little disabling sickness ; and there was an out-
break of epidemic jaundice in the Deolee Irregular Force.
34. Having now displayed the vital statistics of the Native Army as a
whole, and of its component sections and units ; and having passed in review the
various influences affecting the life and health of the men, as well as exhibited
the principal diseases to which sickness and mortality were due, I shall briefly dis-
cuss, by way of summary, the causes which explain excessive sickness and
mortality in the most unhealthy commands and regiments.
Causes of
sickness and
mortality
in the most
unhealthy
commands
and regi-
ments.
35. The Eastern Frontier District comes first in order of constant sick-rate,
second in the series of admission and death-rates. It may, therefore, be held to
be the least healthy command in the Presidency. This is due in part to the un-
healthiness of the stations where the head-quarters of regiments are located,
but largely also to the insalubrious " out-posts " to which the Assam regiments
give detachments. The 18th Native Infantry at Buxa and the 35th Native In-
fantry at Cachar present the highest sickness and death rates. Buxa has
always been a trying station and the out-post duty at Cachar subjects the men
to malarious influences. The 42nd Assam Light Infantry was very sickly at
Gauhati, the depressing and morbific effect of which is forcibly depicted by
Surgeon Wilson. The corps will, no doubt, recover its health somewhat under the
more favorable influences of Shillong ; but detachments will still have to serve
in malarious out-stations. Two companies of this regiment proceeded on ser-
vice in the Naga Hills. The statistics of the remaining regiments are more
favorable. The change to Shillong has had a most favorable effect on the
health of the 43rd ; and the Station may be pronounced as well suited to native
troops, provided certain precautions as regards food and clothing are taken. The
high sick-rates of Assam regiments are to some extent due to the difficulties
connected with giving men leave for change of air. The arduous journey to and
from Assam more than neutralizes any benefit they might derive from the
measure, and medical officers naturally hesitate to recommend it. Intermittent
fevers, rheumatism, bronchitis and asthma, bowel-complaints, spleen-diseases,
ulcers, and debility, are the diseases which account for the majority of admis-
sions ; and they exhibit high rates of prevalence, as compared with other com-
mands. Injuries and blistered feet contribute to the sick-rates, but not in excep-
tional excess. Ague, debility, remittent fever, phthisis, diarrhœa and dysentery
account for nearly all the deaths.
36. The Presidency District comes second in point of constant sick, third as
regards admissions, and heads the list of mortality. The 38th Native Infantry at
Barrackpore was certainly the most unhealthy corps in the whole Native Army.
I have already offered some remarks with reference to the cause of this. The
Wing of the 10th at Dacca comes next. This wing is well quartered, and, with
the exception of the general influence of the climate of Eastern Bengal, and the
special effects of impure water, does not appear to be unfavorably circumstanced.
But, in justice to the station of Dacca, it should be borne in mind, that the
regiment has not only been during an exceptionally long period cantoned in
Eastern and Lower Bengal, but that its health was most seriously shattered at its
former station, Barrackpore. The remaining regiments exhibit high rates of
sickness and death, but not extremely so. The climate of Lower Bengal never
agrees with the up-country sepoy ; its influence upon the Sikhs of the 45th
Native Infantry is pointed out by Surgeon Galloway. But a change of diet
no doubt also contributes to deterioration of health ; while the duties at the
Presidency are certainly rather exceptionally heavy. Bowel-complaints, spleen
diseases, and debility exhibit higher figures in this district than in any other
commands. Fevers, rheumatism and Chest diseases also show large proportions.
The deaths were mainly due to ague, spleen, dysentery, debility, diarrhœa,
cholera, phthisis and remittent fever.
Salubrity of
Shillong.
Diseases
causing sick-
ness and
mortality.
Diseases
causing sick-
ness and
mortality.
The Eastern
Frontier
District.
Effect of
unhealthy
out-posts.
6