14

SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.

      One case was treated during the collapse with hydrate of chloral in 15 grs. doses, every
2nd hour With satisfactory results. The treatment generally pursued in cholera was adopted
in the others. Thirteen cases of guineaworm were admitted during the year; these were chiefly
recruits, who had joined from Koncan and Deccan.

      The remaining diseases were generally of an ordinary nature; and require no special
remarks

      There were ten (10) deaths among those under treatment during the year; three of these
occurred on the march from Nasirabad. Two deaths resulted from ague, one on the line of
march, and the other about two months after arrival in Surat; both these cases suffered
severely from ague in Nasirabad. Two cases of remittent fever proved fatal on the march.
Two deaths occurred from cholera. The causes of the remaining four deaths were, respee-
tively, dysentery, phthisis, pneumonia, and chronic rheumatism with complicated scurvy. One
sepoy of the regiment died in Bombay, he had been invalided for, chronic bronchitis and
general debility.

      The, lines and subsidiary buildings are in good condition, and the, huts generally afford
sufficient accommodation for the inmates, however, the ventilation is slightly defective. Each
sepoy's hut is 15 feet 3 inches high, 10 long, and 9 broad, exclusive of the verandah. The
general sanitary condition of the lines and regimental latrines is good. The maidan on the
southern and eastern sides of the lines is full of holes—some of considerable size—and during
the monsoon decaying vegetable and other organic substances are deposited in them, and, as
these slowly decompose and evaporate, they must tend in a measure to increase all diseases of
a malarious nature.

      The regimental hospital is well situated and in good repair, and affords ample accom-
modation for thirty-five or thirty-six patients. The out-buildings are also in good condition.
The latrine is in a good sanitary state. A separate latrine for female patients is much required.

      The rainfall during the past year has been about 35 inches; this considerably in excess
of the average rainfall forthe past few years.

      No case of small-pox has occurred in the regiment during the year.

      Vaccination has been regularly and carefully carried on in the regiment.

      Water is obtained from wells in camp in sufficient quantity, but of an inferior quality
and brackish; however, good water is obtained at some distance outside camp.

DETACHMENT H. M.'s 21ST REGIMENT N.I.

BASSADORE, PERSIAN GULF.—In Medical Charge of Sub-Assistant Surgeon Hakeem;
Strength 11.

      During the year 1872, there came under treatment 117 cases, of these 114 were fresh
admissions, and 3 remained from the year previous to 1872. Of these 114, 56 cases were of
ague, 3 remittent fever, 4 chronic rheumatism, 14 scurvy, 1 beriberi, 6 bronchitis, 1 dysentery,
2 diarrhœa, 2 sub-acute hepatitis, 1 catarrh urethral, 2 debility, and the rest were cases of
other diseases of less importance.

      It will be seen that remittent fevers have been the most prevalent affections, forming
nearly one-half of the admissions. These cases were of a very astheric nature; and required
stimulants, during the cold and sweating stages, for fear of a fatal collapse.

      The fevers were principally of a quotidian type; a few cases had two paroxysms during the
24 hours, thus constituting the double quotidian of some writers. These fevers prevailed most
in April, May, June, November and December, 35 cases being admitted in these months, 'the
other 21 being treated in the remaining seven months. Quinine and stimulants were the sole
remedies employed.

      Of the three cases of remittent fever, one was sent down on sick certificate to Bombay,
one died as has been already reported per my letter No. 69 of 19th August 1872, the im-
mediate cause of his death being thrombosis of the heart; notes on the case have already
been forwarded with the above letter. It will be seen that scurvy has furnished comparatively
speaking a large number of admissions, they form nearly ⅛ of the total admissions.

      The cases of bronchitis have been generally speaking of a mild nature with the exception
of one, which was very difficult of cure, the patient having become greatly debilitated: He
had previously suffered from broncho pueumonia, and had a very narrow escape from death.
As the patient made no improvement, and latterly began to suffer from irregular attacks of
fever, he was sent down to Bombay fora change of air.