126
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
improved to a considerable extent, as a large number of young men were enlisted at Peshawar,
and nearly 100 recruits marched with the regiment, from Peshawar.
Inspection. Inspection. The regiment was medically inspected by Deputy Surgeon-
General H. M. Cannon, M. B., on the 7th of November 1877. The men arrived
in bad health from Peshawar, but have greatly improved since reaching Feroze-
pore. There were only 13 in hospital on the day of inspection. The lines
were clean, and the hospital in good order, fully equipped according to regulations.
One hundred and twenty-one recruits were inspected and found " quite up to
the standard."
Station staff
The Station staff hospital was inspected on the 26th of November. The
hospital. patients and medicines are accommodated in the ordnance hospital, the new hos-
pital, sanctioned about two years ago for the station staff, not having been as
yet built. There had been an average of 12.78 patients under treatment during
the year, and no deaths. One hundred and thirty-two prescriptions had been
dispensed.
Ordnance
The Ordnance hospital was inspected at the same time. The building is a
hospital. dilapidated old bungalow capable of accommodating about 32 patients : 9 men
were under treatment out of a strength of 674. The daily average for the year
had been 10.04, and one death had taken place. The hospital arrangements were
satisfactory but there was no bedding available for the sick.
Lock-hospital. The Lock-hospital was visited on the 27th November. It was under
charge of Surgeon E. H. Fenn, A. M. D. There had been 84.8 women on the
register, of whom an average of 4 . 2 had been under treatment. There had been
70 admissions for venereal in a strength of 854 European soldiers against 102
in the preceding year. The women are granted annas 2 per diem and allowed
to feed themselves, an arrangement which works satisfactorily.
Medical
Officer.
1st Coorkah Regiment—Dharmsala.
I. Medical Officer. Surgeon-Major . C. F. Oldham held charge through-
out the year.
Location and
mov ements.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
Dharmsala
114.7
2.1
4.2
Meteorology.
1873
Ditto
117.2
2.2
4.3
1874
Ditto
104.5
. 6
3.7
1875
Ditto
147.32
4.57
4.49
1876
Ditto
1 6 6 . 2
1 . 9 9
•
6.12
Average
129.98
2.29
4.56
1877
Dharmsala
152.35
1.39
6.88
Lines, &c.
As regards
Avater-supply and food, no change has
drainage, conservancy,
Drainage,
conservancy; occurred.
water-supply
and food,. In September a communication was received from the Quarter Master General's depart-
ment referring to some observations of the Surgeon-General upon the numerous footsore cases.
Shoes. The officer commanding was authorized to provide such shoes for the men as seemed most
suitable. A regimental committee having been appointed to consider the subject, recom-
mended that a pair of native shoes should' be substituted for the second pair of ammunition
boots in each man's kit. This has been carried out; and the native shoes are to be worn on all
marches. This is a great improvement.upon the old state of things ; but I think the sandal
would have been still more suitable for men but little accustomed to shoes, and especially so for
service in the hills,
II. Location and movements.—
The regiment has remained at
Dharmsala since last report.
From 17th October to end of
the year two companies were in
garrison at Fort Kangra.
I
IV. Meteorology.—The meteor-
ology of the year presented
several unusual features. In Jan-
nary and February the weather
was seasonable. In March, April
and May, there were heavy
and frequent falls of rain, render-
ing the climate much cooler and
more moist than usual. In June,
July and August; the rainfall was
extremely scanty, and the crops were only saved by irrigation. The heaviest rainfall was
in May, usually a very-dry month. The number of rainy days in March, April and May
was 35 ; and in June, July and August, only 29. In October, November and December,
there were frequent showers; and on 10th December; there was a heavy fall of snow, as low
down as 3,000 feet of altitude, an event which has not occurred so early in the cold season for
some 20 years,
V. Lines, &c.—Since last report 19 new hut barracks have been built. These, which are
very good ones, accommodate 272 men ; thus doing away with the previous overcrowding.
The lines are kept clean and in good order.