Medical reports selected by the Medical Board from the records of their office and published under the sanction of government.

  • Madras (India : State). Medical Board.
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical reports selected by the Medical Board from the records of their office and published under the sanction of government. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    129/434 (page 116)
    The weather at this time was settled and pleasantly warm. The encamping ground very good and sheltered by a fine tope. Detachments were at once sent in advance to occupy posts in the jungles. A few days only elapsed when cases of fever began to present at hospital, and these were soon aug- mented by a much larger number of admissions from the out-posts. From the 20th March, when fever began to ap- pear, to the end of April 145 had entered hospital—this out of four companies, and from that time to the present, fever has held sway. Epidemic, as regards its prevalence—Ende- mic, as to its source, for it may with certainty be affirmed that fever has its habitat in Goomsur. In no one month, or week throughout the year is it extinct. The early appear- ance of the malady in the 18th Regiment is worthy of notice, for it is unusual for new comers to be so early affected. An explanation is afforded, I conceive, in the previous fatigue the men underwent; to which may be added the mental dis- quietude for the safety of their families, that had been ex- perienced. I purpose first to take a survey of the progress of the epidemic, from notes taken down at the time. During the latter part of March and throughout April, the fever was of the quotidian intermittent type with some ter- tians. From the universal biliary symptoms, it might well be denominated bilious intermittent. There was vertigo, without vascular excitement, pungent heat of skin, nausea, ardent thirst. Nocturnal attacks common. Remedies to re- move the redundant bile, and afterwards quina proved effi- cacious. Admissions during April. 157 Percent, of adm. to strength 14^ Deaths „ „ 4 ,, „ of deaths to sick .. 2‘547 ‘ 3d May—Many getting fever. A thunder storm yesterday.’ [When the atmosphere was charged with electric fluid, quina failed in exerting its influence. Frequent proof was afforded of this fact, in the course of the epidemic.]