24

MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.

Position of
lines.

       Position of lines .—The lines are close to the depôt lines; they are clean and in good order.

Water-supply

       Water-supply has been good and sufficient.

Sanitary
arrangements.

       Sanitary arrangements have been most carefully attended to.

Diet.

       Diet .—During the early part of the year provisions were cheap, but a vast difference
occurred towards the end of the year, when they became very dear; vegetables were abundant.
The men received the usual compensation for dearness of rice.

Foot soreness

       Foot soreness .—There were 108 cases of foot soreness; they were slight, and being excused
wearing boots for a day or two the abrasion healed.

Duty.

       Duty .—Number of nights in bed, 1 in 5. Duties not prejudicial to health.

Vaccination.

       Vaccination .—Seventy-three cases vaccinated during the year; of these 54 successful and
19 failed. No small-pox among the men.

Epidemic.

       Epidemic —No epidemic disease.

Hospital
ventilation.

       Hospital ventilation .—Ventilation very good; no overcrowding.

Hospital
drainage.

       Hospital drainage good.

Hospital
water-supply.

       Hospital water-supply good and sufficient during the year.

General
conclusions.

       General conclusions .—The health of the wing was good: there were 133 admissions against
184 last year. The average strength was 335.83; in 1875 it was 364.50. There were two
deaths in hospital, one from chronic bronchitis, the other hæmetemesis. There were ten men sent
on sick leave and 19 pensioned. The chief diseases from which the men suffered were general
debility, rheumatism, ague and affections of stomach and bowels; many of these cases were
clearly traceable to service in Burmah. I should say that the health of the wing has much
improved since arrival at Palaveram.

       Deputy Surgeon-General W. J. vanSomeren, M.D., inspected this wing on the
4th December 1876 and reports follows:—

Sanitary con-
dition of lines.

       Sanitary condition of lines .—The lines are clean and in fair repair.

Water-supply.

       Water-supply .—Drinking water is good.

Hospital.

       Hospital .—The hospital is as it was. The average cubic and superficial area enjoyed by each
patient have been 2,614 and 192 feet respectively. The water-supply for drinking is obtained
clear and potable from the Commissariat well close by, that for washing from wells in front of
the hospital. The lighting is effected by one lamp trimmed with oil in the ward, but the
latrine requires one too. The latrine is clean, but with a sanded floor as formerly. Conservancy
is unexceptionable.

NORTHERN DISTRICT.

       The following return shows the rates of sickness, deaths, and invaliding, as
contrasted with previous years:—