31
In Northern Command the incidence was high with an increase from 104.92
per 1,000 in 1937 to 114.03 in 1938. This was largely due to contributions from
Waziristan where naturally the local conditions of a state of " peace-war "
with repeated columns was very liable to cause these diseases. The general
trend is however downwards and, with attention directed to treatment with
elastoplast and similar dressings, hospitalization and prolonged periods under
barrack treatment are definitely less. The incidence in Northern Command
has been as follows.
TABLE No. 37
Minor Septic and Local Injury Group for Northern Command.
British Troops.
(per1000).
1933
. . . . . . . . .
140.07
1934 .
. . . . . . . .
130.50
1935
. .
126.67
. . . . . . . .
1936
. . . . . . . . . .
121.33
1937
. . . . . . . . . .
104.92
1938
114.03
The advent of the Sulphonamide group of drugs has also commenced to
make a difference in these tiresome cases and even better results may be ex-
pected in future. They have begun to be used extensively with uniformly
good results in all cases of septic skin infections and a marked shortening of
the period of hospitalization. The policy has been to administer 45 grains
daily for 3 days followed by 2 days rest and repeated, if necessary.
The increased salt ration which received comment in last year's report
was continued. Although the advantages aimed at, the reduction of Prickly
heat and Boils, have not been proved statistically, the trend of opinion is
definitely in favour of this extra issue on account of the general feeling of better
health which it appears to give. The effect on the advent of prickly heat is
doubtful ; but the reduction in the subsequent boils, their number and severity
by means of this extra salt appears much more probable. Troops certainly
favour it, particularly Indian troops, and scientifically the need for an increased
intake to cover the extra loss during hot weather appears to be definite.
This extra salt ration also appears to play a part, it may be an even more
important part, in the ability of the body to maintain the heat regulating me-
chanism during high external temperatures with high humidity. This is
referred to again in paragraph 24.
17. Venereal Diseases
These diseases which gave an increase of 6.1 per 1,000 the previous year,
have shown a further increase this year of 3 per 1,000, though there is a slight
decrease in the actual admissions. The admission rate is now 10 per 1,000 more
than it was 6 years ago. The increases are from Southern Command and West-
ern Ind. District ; Eastern and Northern Commands both show a slight decrease.
The decrease in Northern Command is not regarded as showing any real
tendency to a reduction of infections, in fact 1937 and 1938 are the worst year
e v e r a . t e n y e a r p e r i o d . T h e c o m m e n t i s m a d e i n t h e a n n u a l r e p o r t t h a t :
" There is no doubt that the main difficulty to contend with in the pre-
vention of venereal disease in India is the lack of social amenities
and amusements outside barracks, particularly female compa-
nionship ".
'The introduction of the 4 year period of service abroad which has now been
sanctioned may have some effect on this aspect of the problem.