Inspection.—Deputy Surgeon-General H. M. Cannon, N.B., in his inspec-
tion report, dated 12th September 1877, remarks that the regiment, which
had suffered greatly from malarious fever in the previous autumn, was much
benefited by the march to and from Delhie. The men were in good health at
the time of inspection. The recruits were a very fine set of young soldiers.
The sanitary state of the lines was satisfactory, and hospital arrangements
complete, with the exception of screens for the hospital assistants' quarters,
and means of storing surplus blankets. The Deputy Surgeon-General also
inspected the detachments at Phillour and Ludhiana on the 15th September
and 23rd November, and found them healthy, and their medical wants properly
provided for. The lock-hospital at Jullundur, under the charge of Surgeon
Fitzgerald, A.M.D., was inspected on the 12th September. The building was
dilapidated, and leaked during the rains. The medicines, instruments and
records were in good order. There were 70 women on the register, the daily
average sick being 4. The European garrison had been very free from venereal
disease. The attention of the Cantonment Committee was drawn to the state of
the building. The station staff medicines are stored and dispensed in the same
place under Dr. Fitzgerald's directions.
23rd Bngal Regi nment Aat i t be Infant ry (Pi oneers)—Si ml a.
Inspection.
Lock-hospital
I. Medical Officer .—Surgeon-Major E. Taylor held medical charge of the
head-quarters of the regi-
ment throughout the year,
II. Location and movements.
The head-quarters were in camp
throughout the year. At Delhie
from the 1st to the 28th of Janu-
ary ; on the march from 29th of
January to the 8th of March. At
Simla from the 9th of March to
the 30th of November ; on the
march from the 1st to the 23rd
of December. At Amritsar from
the 24th to the 31st of December.
A detachment, average strength
136 . 90, was at Meean Meer from
the 1st of January to the 14th of
March. A detachment, average
strength 124, marched on the 1st of March from Umballa, and arrived at Amritsar on the 16th.
A detachment, average strength 205.04, was at Amritsar from the 16th of March to the 23rd of
December. A detachment, average strength 188.55, was at Mushobra from the 11th of August
to the 16th of November, and a detachment, average strength 71, was at Simla from the 1st to
the 31st December.
III.
Topography.—The
regiment has had no permanent resting-place during the year.
The head-quarters' camp at Simla was situated on a small flattened spur to the west of that
station, about 7,000 feet above the level of the sea. The spur was in a sort of natural amphi-
theatre, looking north. The hills about camp were covered by forests of oak and rhododendron,
amongst which were a few pines. The rock formation was metamorphic, principally mica-
schist. There were a few cultivated terraces below the camp, bearing wheat and buck-wheat.
At Amritsar the camp is on the site of former native infantry lines. The country about is very
flat, and the soil a light sandy alluvium ; it is extensively cultivated ; principal crops, wheat
and sugar-cane.
IV.
Meteorology and climate.—The regiment was more exposed to cold than heat, as it
was at Simla during nine months of the year. Two falls of snow occurred there, but the
thermometer did not fall below 35°. 1877 was a year of drought in most parts of India, but
there was rain wherever the 23rd happened to be, in the plains in the cold season of 1876-77 and
1877-78, and at Simla in the hot season. of 1877 ; though, less rain fell at Simla during the
mouths of July, August and September than usual.
V. Lines, barracks or huts.— The regiment is now at Amritsar as a temporary arrange-
ment, principally because it is the centre of the men's homes. There are no native lines, but
there are barracks for Europeans, and 200 men of the 72nd Highlanders now occupy them.
There are also two old barracks and a horse hospital not required by the Europeans. These
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1 8 7 2
. Rawal Pindi, Aug. 1868
64.7
. 5 2.2
1 8 7 3
.
Jhelum, Feb. 1
58. 9
.2
1.9
1874
.
Ditto
ditto
75.32
. 7 2 2.3
1875
.
Ditto
ditto
89.69
.85
2.89
1876
. Jhelum
.
.
.
170.49
. 6 4 3.92
Average
.
.
91.82
. 5 8 2.64
1877
.
Simla .
.
.
.
107.91
.58
3.17
Medical
Officer.
Location and
movements.
Detachments.
Topography.
Meteorology
and climate.
Lines,
barracks or
huts.