Principal dis-
eases.
Fevers.
Location.
Detachments.
Medical
charge.
Rain fall.
Defective
drainage.
Latrines.
Clothing.
Duty.
172
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Principal causes of sickness.- These have chiefly been fevers, contusions, boils, and dysen-
tery. The admissions from the first of these causes are 59 per cent.; those from the two second,
20 per cent. ; and from the third, 4 per cent. of the total admissions from all causes.
The most prevalent type of fever was the quotidian intermittent, and the period at which
it chiefly prevailed was the last three months of the year. Though many cases occurred, the
general character of the disease was mild, and attended with few complications, none calling for
any special notice. Those on whom it had more effect were recruits and men of short service.
There was no material diminution of this class of cases last year, when the admissions
numbered but two less than in 1873.
Seven cases of fever of a remittent or continued character occurred, two cases being of the
latter and five of the former type. It is probable that one at least of the cases of continued
fever was of a typhus or typhoid character ; 'they both occurred after a recent epidemic of
typhus fever in the Bannu jail, which is close to the regimental lines; and the late Hospital
Assistant, Kunneah Lall, of this regiment, as well as Surgeon-Major Farrell both suffered
from this type of fever, clearly traceable to the infection from the jail.
Causes of mor-
tality.
XVI. Principal causes of mortality. —Of the four deaths occurring in the regimental
and detachment hospitals, one took place from each of the following diseases :—continued
fever, remittent fever with chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and acute pneumonic phthisis.
The death at Janee Khel post was from acute pleuro-pneumonia, and that in the regimental
lines from suicide was from a gun-shot wound through the abdomen Of the 3 men dying
away from the regiment, the causes of death were reported as acute bronchitis, fever and
general debility.
Mr. Farrell shows that the regiment has been much more unhealthy at
Edwardesabad than at Dera Ismail Khan, its previous station. This is well
brought out in the abstract above printed. Malarious fevers and bowel com-
-
plaints were the principal causes.
1st Regiment Punjab Infantry.—Edwardesabad.
The annual report is written by Surgeon J. T. B. Bookey, who officiated
in medical charge at the
close of the year.
II. Location and vements
:— The regiment remained at
Edwardesabad from the 1st of
January till the 10th, when the
head-quarters was removed to
Panialah during the camp of ex-
- ercise held there.
The regiment returned from
Panialah to Edwardesabad on
the 6th of February, where it
remained till the end of the
year.
The usual detachments were
sent during the year to Jani
Khel, Kuam and Latammar.
A detachment of 60 men was
detailed as a guard at the sanitarium of Sheikh Bodeen during a great part of the hot
weather. During the tour of His Honor the Lieutenant-Governor, the left wing accompanied
him as an escort to Makhud, leaving Edwardesabad on the 2nd of November and returning on
the 19th of the same month.
The year was remarkable for a very heavy fall of rain in August and
September, which increased the swampy state which is usual to Edwardesabad
during the rains. It also brought out into marked relief the defective state of
the drainage . There is no system of conservancy in this station except in
connection with the hospitals. The hospital latrine is reported to be in a bad
state steps ;have been taken to remedy this.
Some of the recruits are said to be imperfectly clothed in the cold
weather. This is owing to the small pay they get, and a free kit is advocated.
The men wear puttees in place of buttoned gaiters, which is said to be an im-
provement. Native shoes are worn, and blidtered feet are rare; duties are not
sever; nights in bed 4.09 in 7.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869 Kohat, Dec. 1868, from
Dera Ismail Khan ...
244.8
4.1
7.8
1870
Ditto ditto
230.1
2.2
5.5
1871
Ditto ditto
181.8
1.2
4.7
Edwardesabad, D e c.
1872
1871 ...
...
203.1
2.
4.5
1873
Ditto ditto
181.4
3.1
5.
Average.
208.2
2.5
5.5
1874 Edwardesabad
...
167.6
1.2
4.9