190
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
cots and the few articles of hospital clothing. These could be washed in the bazar at a very
small cost. A washerman also is totally unnecessary with a regiment on field service, as it
carries no cots with it, and the clothing it takes is extremely limited, and confined nearly ex-
clusively to woollen or quilted materials which are seldom washed.
33. I will take this opportunity of pointing out where, in another direction, also a most
important saving to Government might be affected without sacrificing efficiency in the smallest
degree. In all the military hospitals I have found a large and varied assortment of surgical
instruments and appliances. The operations annually performed in the regiments are, as a
rule, insignificant, and, except in very rare instances, a pocket case, or at most the Capital in-
strument case, which they all have, supply nearly every thing that is required. Where then
is the necessity of each regiment, and, especially, where several are at the same station, possess-
ing separate sets of instruments, such as amputating, cupping, midwifery, dissecting, post
mortem, teeth, besides urinometers, stomach pumps, electro-magnetic machines, speculums
auri and vaginœ, pullies for reducing dislocations, trocars, elastic syringes, cum multum aliis?
They are seldom or never used, cost a considerable sum at the outset, and are continually get-
ting out of order and requiring to be returned into store for repairs. At Jacobabad there is a
civil hospital under the charge of the senior medical officer, and at Haidarabad and Kurrachee
general hospitals. In these might be placed a complete set of the instruments I have named,
to be issued on loan to any medical officer requiring them, and a few extra ones might be
retained at Jacobabad for the use of any of the regiments ordered to take the field; although
with a couple of pocket instrument cases supplemented by the usual large capital instru-
ment one, a medical officer ought to be prepared for almost any emergency that might occur.
I am convinced that by adopting a procedure such as I have here indicated, a considerable
annual saving might be effected in the military hospitals in Sind, and without impairing in the
least their present efficiency.
34. The lock hospital at Kurrachee is in the same building as last year; and the accom-
modation and general arrangements are in no way altered from those described in the previous
report. The results have been more satisfactory during the past year than in 1871. The
venereal returns from the whole Brigade have been 92, equal to a percentage of 0.5, which is
a considerable improvement over the former year when they were 0.9 per cent. A steady
advance has been making in the numbers of women registered and admitted for treatment, 190
remained on the register at the end of 1871; 41 have been added during the past year; 27
have removed their names, and 204 were still on the register on 31st December last. The
average monthly number of prostitutes attending the periodical examinations was 200 against
97 during 1871; of those reported for non-attendance 70, being 30 in excess of that for the
previous year, while the number found diseased at the periodical examination was 16 against
10 during the former year. Total admissions amount to 197, whereas 124 was the number
for 1871: of these 191 have been discharged. The number of days under treatment has
varied, but excepting 8 women whose cases were tedious, the period has averaged 9 days. The
police are reported to have given more assistance than formerly in bringing women up to be
registered; and the sanction which has been accorded for entertaining two additional dhaies
has likewise been productive of benefit in this direction. During the past year, power has
been granted to the medical officer in charge to punish breaches of paragraphs 14, 16, and 19
of Act XIV of 1868. He suggests that paragraphs 6, 9, 10, 21, 22, and 23 be added, as the
medical officer would have the entire charge of the registered women. But these would lead
to many other of the rules requiring to be included, which would confer upon the medical officer
judicial functions not contemplated by this Act.
35.The barrack accommodation for the troops in Sind is unchanged since last year. The
27th N.I., or 1st Belooch Regiment, finds their new quarters in the old depôt barracks most
convenient and suitable; they have abundance of room. All fears regarding typhoid fever or
zymotic disease showing itself among the men, owing to the bad repute these barracks enjoyed
in former years, are entirely at an end. The thorough sanitary measures which were adopted
previous to their being made over to the Belooch regiment have proved quite successful—not
a single case of sickness has occurred in the regiment which could even indirectly be traced
to them. The accommodation in hospital under ordinary circumstances is sufficient; but dur-
ing the late prevalence of dengue a number of tents required to be put into requisition.
Nothing, however, has been done to supply the great want of quarters for 2nd class servants,
which are far too limited for the establishment.
36. The quarters for the native commissioned officers in the 29th N.I. or 2nd Belooch
Regiment were reported last year as much too small for comfort or respectibility: they are also
close and unhealthy owing to the absence of ventilators. No improvement has been effected
in these: otherwise the lines are good, well ventilated, and the accommodation sufficient. The
hospital, although large enough and in most respects suitable and convenient, has two great
defects, but which cannot be remedied. One is being too close to the lines from which the
ground slightly slopes towards it; the other is the want of a plinth, and the flooring being of
mud only.