54
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Venereal
diseases.
Recruits.
Inspection.
trees and verandahs was very frequently an exciting cause. Every one is aware of the stuffy
close feeling of a native but at all times; how much more so during the hot months and
rains? Men naturally, sleep outside, and with only a light covering. Towards morning there
is often a great change of temperature, and heavy dew falls upon the sleeper unless he be
under some kind of shelter. Fever is the result, and once occurring, it occurs again twice.
or three. In fact, from my observation, most of the cases of fever here last autumn were
due to the cause I have noticed, irrespective of malarious influences, which doubtless exist,
though they hat
e no Speciality as far as Deolee and its surroundings are concerned.
On the whole, however, and taking into consideration the fact, that there are still a
great number of old men in this regiment who were recruited in the mutiny, the
general health has been good. There were 20 cases of venereal during the year; most of these
occurred at Jhausi among Pathans, who, as a rule, are dirty in their habits, and suffer more
from that disease than other classes.
Of the recruits entertained, 29 in number, one did not join, and 2 had to be
discharged: one on account of diseased cornea, the other for bad physique. These 2 men
were enlisted in the Punjab, and after travelling several hundred miles were sent back;
which very fact alone is sufficient to deter others from enlisting. As far as my experience goes,
the enlistment of men for distant regiments is far, from satisfactory. Sufficient care and
attention are not paid to the subject; and the result is that, of late years, the stamp of men
has Fallen considerably both as regards classs and physique.
Deputy Surgeon-General E. C. Thorp, M. D., inspected On the 27th of No
-vember 1874. He agrees with the medical officer regarding the sanitary defects
of the lines; in other respects he found the sanitary circumstances of the regi-
ment favorable. The hospital was in good order, and all duties connected
with the sick were carried out with punctuality and care.
Medical
charge.
Location.
D c o l e e I r r e g u l a r f o r c e — D c o l c c e .
YEAR
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions.
Deaths.
Daily sick.
1869 . . .
Deolee
. . .
266.9
2.4
8.
1870. . .
Ditto
. . .
177.3
1.1
6.3
1871
. . .
Ditto
. . .
130.9
1.2
4.4
1872
. . .
Ditto
. . .
100.1
14
5.1
1873
. . .
D i t t o . . .
95.8
1 .
4.6
Average . . .
. . .
154.2
1 . 4
5.7
1874
. . .
Deolee
. . .
112 6
1 . 4
4.1
The following medical officers have held charge of the regiment during the year.—Surgeon
Major Eddowes, from 1st Janu
-ary to 1st March, Surgeon
-Major Mantell, from 2nd to
21st March, and Surgeon-Major
F. W. A. De Fabeck, from 22nd
March to 31st December. The
latter officer furnishes the report.
II.—Location and move
-ments.—Head-quarters at Deo
- l e e d u r i n g t h e w h o l e y e a r w i t h
permanent detachments, relieved
periodically at Jeypore, Bhurt-
- p o r e , B i c k a n e e r a n d K o t a h ; i n
addition to these, escorts were
furnished to the Governor Gen
- e r a l ' s a g e n t w h e n o n t o u r .
Meteorology.
Sanitary
circumstances.
Employments.
Hospital.
average, and 3.27 in excess of that registered in 1873.
The sanitary circumstances of this corps have remained unaltered during
the year. A recommendation was made to cover the wells with wire netting so
as to prevent contamination by birds, but was not acted on.
XII. Exercises.—These have already been described in previous reports. It may,
however, here be stated, that the men of the infantry branch of the force have been usefully
engaged upon many works of public benefit. Among these may be enumerated the building
of a gothic church in the style of the middle decorated period, which, with its annexed
guard room, has become the most important and conspicuous edifice in the station. It
Would be a credit to any professional builders. The men have also been engaged upon the
construction of public gardens, and they contributed some very important objects to the
soldiers exhibition at Umballa in October last, which gained for them the first prize in
architectural decorative work. They continue to show themselves at all times willing to
undertake duties of a similar nature with the readiness and aptitude which has on former
occasions obtained for them the approbation of the Government.
XIV. Hospital.— Full descriptions have been given in previous reports of the con-
struction of the hospital, which is roomy and commodious, well lighted and ventilated, and
leaves little to be desired beyond a mode of roofing more capable of resisting rain.