Epidemics.
Cholera.
49
SAUGOR DISTRICT.
XVII. Principal causes of mortality.—The death-rate has been rather high. Eight deaths
took place in hospital, and one man who had gone to Jubbulpore, to appear before the annual
invaliding board, died from general debility in the hospital of the 16th Regiment Madras
Native Infantry. The first death in hospital took place from acute laryngitis, which I am of
opinion had a syphilitic origin. The next occurred in October from ague. Then came three
from cholera. These were followed by two from ague. In one of the latter cases the man was
also suffering from general debility. The last case was that of a man of short service, who had
returned from furlough, and who came at once to hospital suffering from fever of a low form.
It was very continuous, though not particularly severe, and lasted for several weeks in spite of
all treatment. Suddenly one morning he became collapsed, and shortly afterwards passed two
copious motions of pure blood; stimulants and astringents brought him round after a few hours,
and there was never any return of the hœmorrhage. His tongue was very dry, brown and
cracked, and for one or two days there was slight tenderness in the right iliac fossa which made
me think the man might have been suffering from enteric fever. All other symptoms, were
however, wanting. After the hœmorrhage the fever ceased, but he continued very weak, and
being a Brahmin, I could not persuade him to take proper nourishment, so that he became weaker
each day until at last he died from sheer exhaustion. Forty-one men of all ranks were inva-
lided. Three were on account of disease, viz. , one for leprosy, another for epilepsy, and the
third for a large and indurated bursa in the popliteal space which communicated with the
joint. The remaining men were pensioned for old age, debility and bad physique. The
majority, who were pensioned for the latter causes, were men enlisted at the time of the mutiny
when the recruiting regulations were not very carefully attended to.
XVIII. Epidemics. —In October cholera Was imported into the regiment by a party of
men returning from furlough who slept in the public rest-house of a village 20 miles distant
from here, in which about 100 persons from the famine districts were staying, who, it was
afterwards discovered, were suffering from cholera. The above party arrived in the lines on
the morning of the 12th, and at 11 P.M. the subadar was seized with cholera. He was at once
removed to the infectious ward, and his hut thoroughly disinfected. None of these men were
allowed to go on duty, but were confined to their huts. On the morning of the 14th another
of the party was seized. It was now thought necessary to place the whole of these people
(consisting of sepoys, their wives, and families, numbering in all about 40 persons) into a
preparatory cholera camp. On the 15th two other sepoys were seized in the camp, after
which there were no fresh cases. Great care was taken to prevent communication with
these people; and the huts and tents in which cases occurred were immediately disinfected and
cleared. All of those attacked were in bad health. Of the four cases attacked, three died. The
first and third showed no signs of reaction. The second had got over the collapse, the stools
were becoming natural, and urine was passed, when a relapse came on which carried him off.
XIX. Vaccination.—During the past year three recruits, who had no distinct marks of
either vaccination or small-pox, were vaccinated; two were successful, but the third failed,
though the operation was repeated three times. On making enquiries from the man's parents,
it was discovered that he had a mild attack of small-pox in infancy. On a very close examin-
ation one or two slight scars were found on the forehead. Amongst the families 80 cases were
vaccinated, of which 79 were successful. I do not think there is much more prejudice in the
regiment against vaccination than the lower orders of people in England show.
20th Regiment, Madras Native Infantry.—Head-Quarters and R. W.—Banda.
I. Medical Officer.— The annual report is furnished by Surgeon
P. Thompson.
II. Location and movements. —At the beginning of the year the regiment was in
camp at the Imperial Assemblage, Delhi; on this being broken up, the march to Banda
commenced (date 10th January), the latter place being reached on 11th February. No other
movement was made.
The rainfall of the year was scanty. The defects of drainage were not
therefore so conspicuous as in previous years. The conservancy of the station
is well looked after, and the trench latrine system works satisfactorily. Water
was plentiful, notwithstanding the drought, but food-supplies were dear, and
men with large families and many dependants underfeed themselves. The
undress clothing is too light for the Banda winter. Duties have been moderate,
and some of the men practise gymnastics, and play cricket.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment :—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. . 369.85
Absent
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 310.43
Total
.
. 680.28
Measures
adopted.
Vaccination.
Medical
officer.
Location and
movements.
Rainfall.
Conservancy.
Water.
Food.
Duties.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
Principal
causes of
mortality.