Medical
Officers.
Location.
Climate.
Lines.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water.
Rations.
Clothing.
Duties.
Amusements.
Hospital.
204
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
38th Regiment Native Infantry—Buxa.
The late Surgeon-Major A. Richmond held charge up to his death on the 16th
February. Surgeon W. M.
Courtney joined the regi
-ment on the 18th March,
and held charge during the
remainder of the year.
With the exception of a
small detachment sent to
Julpigoree for a few weeks,
no movement took place
during the year.
The climate of Buxa is mild
and equable. The highest tem-
perature recorded during the
year was 85° F. in April, and the
lowest 48°F. in December. The highest range of temperature was in February, when it
amounted to 27°. The heavy rains began in June and terminated in October. The rainfall
for the year 1874 was in excess of 1873: the largest quantity fell in June, the amount regis
-tered being 54.26 inches.
V. Lines and barracks. —The fort barracks, so unfavourably reported on in 1873, have
been re-built, and now afford better accommodation; but as they are constructed only of grass
and bamboo, the men are somewhat exposed in the cold season. The barracks on the pickets
are unobjectionable.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage is natural and good.
VII. Conservancy and latrines. —There is no proper system of conservancy. The men
resort to the jungle for the purposes of nature.
VIII. Water-supply.—The water is procured from springs to the west of the parade-
ground. It is clear and good, but one of the springs is said to cause goitre; the supply is
scanty in the cold season.
The men often complained of the sameness of the rations supplied by the
Commissariat, and an endeavour was made to remedy it by issuing fresh-ground
attah or rice three times a week. There was a fair supply of vegetables. The sup
-ply of milk was good but not abundant, and owing to its high price the sepoy
could not afford to indulge in it. The clothing was suitable, and duties,
though heavy, were not excessive; number of nights in bed, 4.
XII. Exercise and amusements. —A regimental garden is cultivated by the sepoys, but
does not yield a sufficient amount of vegetables for the regiment. Wrestling and the use of the
clubs are the ordinary amusements of the sepoy. On Thursday there are games of football, in
which the European officers take part, and foot-races are occasionally got up for the benefit of
the men.
The hospital, a thatched structure, was re-built during the year; it accom
-modates 40 men. Dr. Courtney reports that an additional hospital is much
needed, the present structure being quite inadequate, as has been many times
reported. During the year it was found necessary to pitch two tents, and a
drill shed was handed over by the commanding officer for the use of the sick
in the heavy rains, the number of sick on one occasion having exceeded 90.
Sickness, mor
-tality and invaliding.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER OF Daily
average
No. o f
sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH PER
ANNUM.
From
To
Admis- s i o n s . Deaths.
Admis- sions. Deaths.
Daily
average
sick.
Head-Quarters at Buxa 1st Janu-
ary 1874
31st Decr.
1874 574.6 866
1 6 61.04 150.71 2.78 10.62
Number of deaths in hospital, 16; out of hospital, 9; total 25; per cent. of total strength
3.71.
„ i n v a l i d e d , 2 9 ; „ „ 4.3.
„ s e n t o n s i c k l e a v e , 2 4 ; „ „
3.56.
„ o f d a y s s p e n t i n h o s p i t a l , 2 0 , 6 4 3 ; p e r a d m i s s i o n , 2 3 . 8 ; p e r m a n o f t o t a l s t r e n g t h 30.64.
„ „ o n s i c k l e a v e , 2 , 7 3 5 ; p e r m a n , 1 1 3 . 9 ; „ „ 4.06.
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
34.70.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869 Fyzabad, November
1868 from Nagoda
74.4
.9
2.5
1870
Ditto ditto
85.8
1.4
2.3
1871
Ditto ditto
4 4 . 4
1.
2 . 3
1872
Ditto ditto
121.9
1.6
2.9
1873 Buxa, March 1873
137.3
7.1
7.5
Average
92.8
2.4
3.5
1874 Buxa
150.7
3.7
1 0 . 6
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment:—present, 574.6;
absent, 99; total 673.6.