Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the sanitary state of the army in India : with précis of evidence / presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of Her Majesty.

  • Great Britain. Commissioners Appointed to Inquire into the Sanitary State of the Army in India.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the sanitary state of the army in India : with précis of evidence / presented to both Houses of Parliament by command of Her Majesty. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Mr. A. Stewart—, says separate hospitals for native followers are required; and Locks are much called for. These cases sometimes amount to one half those in hospital. P. 58, Q. 728. Dr. McLennan—, had seen cholera prevailing among Hindoo soldiers and their families, whilst Mussulmans in the same battalion and lines entirely escaped attack. This was attributed to bad fish, from which the latter abstained. Had heard of several instances of epidemics at- tributed to the vicinity of nuisances, and one at Hyderabad from the use of stagnant water. Intemperance, night exposure, heat, cold, and moisture are predisposing causes. Cholera is most prevalent among Europeans in hot weather ; among natives in cold. Diarrhoea and dysentery also are most prevalent at Bombay in the cold season, but generally in the hottest and wettest months. Dysentery often follows fever and is then most fatal. Sanitary measures of precaution and removal are usually resorted to on any epidemic outbreak ; these are embodied in the regulations. Liver disease is very prevalent among European troops, also children and ladies ; the natives also suffer more than is generally supposed from liver disorders. Should expect more from abstinence from liquor and avoidance of rich, stimulant, or full diet than from any other change. Rheumatism does not prevail much apart from maladministration of mercury for syphilis. Has seen scurvy from bad diet and exposure on the voyage out. It sometimes occurs among the natives from similar causes. Cause of guinea-worm remains in obscurity ; probably introduced from without while bathing or walking in marshy ground. Is of opinion that climatic influence, intemperance, and sexual disease (from which latter a full fifth of the cases in the Bombay hospitals suffer) are the three chief evils affecting the health and life of the soldier in India (Pp. 89, 90, Q. 1221-1231). Thinks there is a gradual adaptation to the change of climate, but the man one year out is better able to bear exposure than those 10 years in the country. P. 93, Q. 1291—1293. Dr. Colvin Smith—, states that the suppression of grog shops and the establishment of a Lock hospital at Secunderabad immensely im- proved the health of the troops in 1856. P. 99, Q. 1356. The native troops quartered close to a tank four miles long suffered much from fever, and guinea-worm produced by the water. Q. 1363. Had witnessed epidemic cholera in the Madras Rifles on the march, arising from fatigue and bad water, which ceased on the first rain. At Prome also, which is filthy, crowded, and surrounded with swamps in the wet season, had seen cholera among the native population. Considers intemperance, syphilis, and malaria the three chief causes of disease in India, all of which may be much diminished. Locks should be re- established, with good police. Had charge of a Lock at Hyderabad ; and the commander of a European regiment observed, “ Your hospital has diminished mine by at least one-third since its establishment.”* * Dr. Macpherson observes, that 688 men of the home force are always in hos- pital from syphilitic disease alone, and that the money lost to the State is calculated at about 14,500/., per annum. (Appendix p. 649.) The officers of the medical service are almost unanimous in recommending the establishment of locks. Dr. Grierson, however (Kurrachee), argues strongly against them on moral grounds, insisting on the expulsion of prostitutes as the proper remedy. (Appendix, p. 821.) Mr. Hare remarks that prostitutes in India are purchased and educated for the trade, and it is only necessary to punish those who profit by the women’s earnings, to prevent the spread of disease. (Appendix, p.183-4.) The Umballa Committee are of opinion that locks might be aided by allowing the prostitutes to select one of their own number as their head; let her be well paid and made responsible that no diseased [N.B.—See notes pp, 201 and 202 ante.'] Q Disease and Mortality, j
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