Principal
causes of
mortality.
Vaccination.
Epidemics.
Recommendations
inspection.
Duties.
Recreations.
Marches and
service.
148
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Principal
causes of
sickness,
XVI. Principal causes of sickness.—Malarious
fevers, 221; bronchial affections, 24 ;
pneumonia 2 cases ; pleurisy 1; dysentery and diarrhœa 22, and contusions 27. Sickness was
principally caused by malarious fevers, bronchial affections, dysentery and contusions. The
admissions from malarious fevers are small in comparison with the other native regiment in
the station, and no death occurred from any of the above-mentioned diseases. As the
nourishment that can be taken by the native soldier during a severe illness is of quite as
much importance as medicine, I have been in the habit lately at Peshawar of prescribing
raw-meat juice, combined with stimulants, &c., in severe cases. This, with farinaceous food,
has been of much service, and the two cases of pneumonia that I considered hopeless both
recovered under this treatment. My object in mentioning this is, that I consider the feeding
of the native soldier in hospital the most annoying and difficult thing the medical Officer
has to contend against.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.— Only one death occurred from general debility.
This man; 50 years of age, came into hospital emaciated and hardly able to walk; had been
ill in the lines for some time and taking no food.
X V I I I . V a c c i n a t i o n . —
T e nM
e n a n d 1 3 c h i l d r e n w e r e v a c c i n a t e d d u r i n g t h e y e a r .
XIX. Epidemics .— No
epidemic occurred in the regiment during the year 1877.
XX.. Recommendations.— Any recommendation that was made to the commanding officer
was seen to.
Inspection.—The annual medical inspection of the native regiments com-
posing the Peshawar garrison for the year 1877 was made by Deputy Surgeon-
General F. F. Allen, C.B., in April. The results are noted in the report of 1876.
The inspection of 1878 will be summarised in the report for that year.
Medical
officer.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology.
Lines, &c.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Food.
Clothing.
17th Regiment, Bengal Cabalry—Deshawar.
I . M e d i c a l o f f i c e r . —T
h ea
n n u a l r e p o r t i s w r i t t e n b y S u r g e o n D . P .
MacDonald, M. D., who held
medical charge of the re-
giment throughout the year.
II. Location and movements.—
The head-quarters of the regi-
ment were at Peshawar till the
30th November. The regiment
moved then to Fort Mackeson,
where we remained till the 4th
December. We were encamped
for the remainder of the year
at the base of the Shirgussa
hills about 6 miles from Fort
Mackeson.
The number, strength and
location of the detachments are
shown in paragraph XV.
IV. Meteorology—The absence of rain no doubt contributed to the good health of the
station during the autumnal months. There have been heavy rains with severe frost since the
regiment went into camp, which impeded to a great extent the movement of the troops, and
caused a good deal of suffering.
V. Lines, &c.—The disposition and site of the lines have already been described. The
improvements which were in process of execution when last reported on are now complete.
New houses and stables have been constructed at a considerable outlay. They are spacious
and well ventilated. A great number of trees have also been planted, which in a short time
will add to the appearance, as well as to the comfort, of the lines.
No change has taken place as regards drainage, conservancy or water-
supply. It is expected that the covered aqueduct will be completed soon.
Food-supplies have been abundant, and the men are generally well nourished.
The clothing is sufficient and well suited to the climate. The absence of chest
affections in camp proved that the men were well provided in this respect.
Duties in Peshawar were as previously reported ; in camp the work was severe,
owing to the inclement weather. Cavalry sports are the only recreations resorted
to.
XIII. Marches and service.— On the 30th November the regiment marched to Fort
Mackeson to join the field force which was ordered to assemble there forthe purpose of attack-
ing the Jowaki Afridis. On the 4th November we marched with one of the columns of
attack to the base of the hills which separate our territory from the Bori valley. As the
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Sialkot, March
1872
167.1
1 .
5.2
1873
.
Ditto -
.
157.1
.4
5.4
1874
.
Ditto
.
154.5
.4
5.6
1875
.
Ditto
.
177.11
...
6.89
1876
. Peshawar,
1876.
February
277.92
2.19
7.75
Average
.
.
186. 74 .79
6.16
1877
. Peshawar,
.
.
109.71
.43
3.09