Epidemics.
Vaccination.
Recommenda-
tions.
Treatment of
Pneumonia.
120
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
men who are suffering from some slight catarrh being out of health to become seriously ill. I
have known them in a cold windy day cooking their food in their fashion, which alone was very
apt to cause congestion of the lungs, but more particularly so in those men who were not well
at the time. Their religion does not prevent them putting a blanket, or any unsewn garment
over them, but they will not attempt to take care of themselves if not specially ordered to do so.
One case of fatty degeneration of the heart died on the line of march, and a case, returned
as dropsy of the pericardium, in November, so that the circulatory and respiratory system caused
m o s t o f t h e m o r t a l i t y f o r t h e y e a r .
No epidemic occurred during the year. No vaccination was performed.
Several recommendations were made by Surgeon Hall on the march with a
view to protect the men from the effects of cold.
XXI. Special remarks.— Having discussed the disease pneumonia in paragraph XVII, I
have nothing to add in, this paragraph except a few words as to treatment. That from which I
seemed to get the best results was opening the bowels first according to the condition of those
organs; then administering a combined diaphoretic saline and stimulating mixture every two
hours, and giving small doses of diffusible stimulant frequently, especially rum. Counter irri--
tation in the form of a blister sometimes did wonders, but this was according to the stage in
which the disease was. Moist cupping I found also very efficacious where there was any acute
pleuritic complication. Cold water applications they would not persist in, so I gave it up, as they
invariably stopped it at soon as my back was turned. Warm poultices were very efficacious in re--
lieving the congested mucous surface when acute, but in the latter stages was of no use whatever.
When I found a patient suddenly seized with congestion of the healthy lung, the other having
been affected first, I found a stimulating emetic of sulphate of zinc sometimes, when it acted,
cleared the lung and gave most marked benefit. Bleeding when the pulse indicated it, and the
right side of the heart was evidently not able to get rid of its blood fast enough on two
occasions gave instant relief, but, except in the very first stage of the disease, I don't think it
is to be recommended; I mean that it does not tend to stave off the fatal result.
Inspection.
Deputy Surgeon-General E. C. Thorpe, M. D., inspected the regiment at
Morar on the 19th of February 1875. The lines, he states, are badly situated and
ill ventilated. Latrine accommodation is insufficient. The hospital is pronounced
a bad one, and has been, it is stated, rendered worse by the attempts made to
improve it—the raising of the floors and putting in of new doors and windows.
Nothing short of a new hospital will suffice; the quarters for hospital assistants
are also said to be insufficient.
25th Punjab Regiment Native Infantry.—Meean Meer.
Medical
charge.
Location and
movements.
Topography.
Surgeon-Major F. H. O'Donel, M. D., has held charge of the regiment
throughout the year, Sur
-geon H.Whitwell officiating
for him during September
while he was absent on pri
-vilege leave. The annual
report is written by the
former.
II. Location and movements
of the corps.—From the 1st to
the 18th of January the regi
- m e n t w a s a t R a w a l P i n d i , a n d
on the 19th idem commenced
its march to Meean Meer, where
it arrived on the 6th of Febru
-ary 1874, and has been stationed
for the rest of the year. On the 6th of May, 58 men left head-quarters for famine relief
duty. Of these, 31 rejoined between the 17th and 27th of December, and 27 were absent at
the end of the year. On the 24th October, 9 men were detailed for duty with the men enlisted
in the Punjab for the cooly corps of the Duffla expedition, and had not returned by the end
of the year.
III. Topography and physical geography.— This has been recorded at page 140 of
volume for 1873 of the Bengal Army Medical Reports. In the hot weather a channel was cut
from that portion of the cantonment branch of the Baree Doab Canal that flows westward
between the Native Cavalry and Native Infantry lines, to bring water to a well dug in an
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths.
D a i l y s i c k .
1869
Peshawar, January 1868,
from Delhi . . .
228.6
7.3
7.1
1870
Ditto
ditto
211.6
5.1
5.4
1871
Rawal Pindi, Nov. 1870
83.6
4.1
3.6
1872
Ditto
ditto
52.7
1.8
4.
1873
Ditto
ditto
77.8
1.3
2.1
Average.
130.8
3.9
4.4
1874
Meean Meer, Feby.1874
139.1
.28
3.9