A MODERN MIRACLE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1171, 13 November 1913, Page 4

A MODERN MIRACLE.

The decline in the death rate among British troops in India is one of the wonders of medical science. The report for 1912 shows that out of a strength of 71,000 men there were only 328 deaths, equal to the very low ratio ot 4.62 per 1000. Twenty years ago the rate was 20 per 1,000. This result has not been even partly achieved by increasing the number of men invalided to England, for the ratio ot officers and men sent Home in 1912 was the lowest on record, 6.68 per 1000, compared with 23 per 1000 in 1892. Enteric tever, so long the curse of ludiau service, has, says the Pioneer," almost ceased to exist. East year there were only 118 admissions to hospital for this disease, and the death-rate was .39 thousand, whereas ten yens ago it was as high as 4 per 1000. The extraordinary improvement as regards enteric is chiefly due to inoculation and the careful segregation of convalescents in special depots. It is now well established that some sufferers from enteric act as cairiers of the disease after they have recovered, and no convalescent is allowed to leave these debots until it has been scientifically establiahed that he is not dangerous to other people. Over 90 per cent, ol the British Army in India has been inoculated against enteric. Such an improvement, however, could not have been brought about but for the hearty co-operation of regimental officers with the army doctors, and intelligence and selfcontrol on the part of the rank and file. The statistics for malaria and cholera also show a decline, but the case mortality in cholera is so high that if the disease could be banished altogether from cantonments there would be a very appreciable decline it the total death-rate. The Pioneer may well describe the improvement in the army’s health as "a modern miracle.”