Rheumatism.
Syphilis.
Injuries.
Principal
causes of
mortality.
Epidemics.
Location and
movements.
Drainage and
conservancy.
F o
od-supplies.
Boots.
Duties.
Occupations,
&c.
Hospital.
54
Type of the
fevers.
Vaccination.
Inspection.
Medical
Officers.
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
below the present alluvial sub-soil of Hindustan, for it is usually two or three weeks after
rain has ceased to fall . at Mooltan that the outbreak of intermittent fever occurs, and this would
give time for the rain to permeate the soil, and reach to a considerable depth below the surface).
The fevers treated in 1877 have not been severe in Character, and very little complicated
with spleen, liver or lung congestion. In treatment, Dr. W. Brinton's plan of giving an
(ipecacuanha) emetic early (with a view to relieving gall-bladder and more readily producing
diaphoresis) has been almost invariably adopted, and the cinchona febrifuge in 5-grain doses,
with dilute sulphuric acid, has been used in the place of quinine in 3 to 5-grain doses which
I in previous years usually found enough for native soldiers after the effects of the emetic had
passed off. But I believe that the good anti-periodic effects of even large and repeated doses
of cinchona febrifuge or quinine may be wasted, unless by an emetic or cholagogue aperient the
toxæmic effects of vitiated bile are first got rid of. Ten cases of rheumatism occurred as com-
pared with 26 in the previous year, probably depending on decrease in rainfall; also 17 cases
primary syphilis, and 1 case secondary syphilis occurred as compared with 20 primary syphilis
and 6 secondary syphilis in previous year. These venereal diseases have been generally reported
to have been contracted by contagion which is at present not within scope of cantonment lock-
hospital regulations.
Of injuries, all of which were accidental, in 1877, 59 were admitted amongst fighting men
(61 in 1876).
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.— In the 5th Bengal Cavalry no deaths occurred in
strength present of head-quarters or detachments, and only one man died whilst on ordinary
furlough (stated from dysentery).
Epidemics.— None has occurred in the immediate neighbourhood of this station.
In October a few cases of cholera were reported as having occurred at Tehrie and at Chakrata.
a village 30 or 40 miles off near the road from Banda. Famine emigrants who were passing
through Nowgong (sometimes at the rate of at least 1,000 per day), were at that time prevent-
ed from encamping within cantonments, and this was considered sufficient precaution . in a
hygienic point of view. A few cases (8 or 10) of chicken-pox occurred amongst children in
the sudder bazar during November and December.
XIX. Vaccination.—This, in the neighbourhood of Nowgong, is under the independent
superintendence of a native. Vaccine lymph was obtained from one of his native vaccinators,
and at head-quarters 46 men of the regiment and 38 camp-followers were vaccinated. Of
the former 34 were successful, 12 a failure; of the latter, 34 were successful and 4 a failure.
In consequence of an isolated case of small-pox in the Royal Artillery camp-followers' lines,
vaccination was carried out in April, and again in December (a more favorable month for
successful operating).
Inspection.—The annual medical inspection was made by Deputy Surgeon-
General J. T. C. Ross on the 7th of November. The accommodation for the
men and sick provided by the new arrangements is excellent. The trench.
system is worked well, but the ground is not cultivated as it should be. The
men and recruits were inspected individually, and found to be robust and healthy.
The hospital arrangements were satisfactory, and the sick properly attended to.
•
2 0 t h . R e g i m e n t , m a d r a s A a t i v e I n f a n t r y ,
R i g h t W i n g — N o w g o n g . •
Medical Oificers.—The annual report of the regiment is written by
Surgeon F. H. Pedrosa, who joined on. the 10th of December, but Surgeon
R . E . R o s s h e l d t h e m e d i c a l c h a r g e d u r i n g t h e g r e a t e r p a r t o f t h e y e a r — f r o m
1st January to 19th November.
.II Location and movements.— The regiment was present in Delhi at the Imperial Assem-
blage at the beginning of the year. Leaving that station on the 10th of January 1877, it
arrived at Banda on the 11th February 1877, where the wing rested two days. It then left for
Nowgong, and arrived here on the 18th February 1877, where it has since remained.
The sanitary surroundings of the regiment has undergone little or no change.
The year was hot and dry. The men are well-housed, and drainage and conser
- vancy properly looked to in the manner described in former reports. Food-supplies
were expensive, but plentiful and good. The boots worn by the men are the
cause of much galling. Duties are light. The men do a little gardening and
shikar. The march to and from Delhi rather improved the health and physique
of the regiment than otherwise. The hospital is in good repair, and provides
ample and comfortable accommodation for the sick.
Sickness.
mortality and
invaliding,
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.— Strength of the Regiment—
Present
. .
. .
.
. .
.
.
. 295.48
Absen
•
.
.
•
•
•
•
.
. .
39.55
Total
.
.
335.03