90 REPORT—1849. 
from diseases of the brain, apoplexy, mania, paralysis, and epilepsy, 13, There have 
been rendered non-effective by bowel complaints, by diarrhoea, 3; by dysentery, 5; 
total 8. Diseases affecting the whole system, such as scrofula, leprosy, syphilis, and 
cancer, 9. Eight have been removed from disabilities affecting the bones; 3 from 
fractures ; and a similar number from loss of teeth. Exostosis 1, and periostitis 1. 
Incapacitated by diseases of the extremities, 13; 5 by wounds, of which 2 were re- 
ceived on service; by ulcers, |; and by a peculiar disease, called “ burning in the 
feet,” 6. From cutaneous affections, 3. The other causes of disqualification, either 
accidental or anomalous, such as hernia, hemorrhoids, &c.,25. During the nine 
years stated, 54 men have been incapacitated by general infirmity, or having become 
unfit—in fact, “worn out.” An abstract of the general tabular statement shows, as 
disqualified for further service, 282—equivalent to 91 from each corps in this period, 
or 10 annually; and taking the strength of a native regiment to be 800, we have a 
rate of 1} per cent. It appears by the list that 54 men have retired from being worn 
out in the space of nine years. This class included all men who, by reason of their 
age or length of service, have become unfit for further duty. It is worthy of inquiry 
to ascertain what are the average periods of life and service at which the native 
soldier becomes incapable of further duty. In following up this inquiry, it will be 
necessary to ascertain the averages of ages and service of the several grades sepa- 
rately ; for were the ages and periods of service of all ranks to be taken collectively in 
forming an estimate of the mean age or service of those who have been declared 
* worn out,” it would be by no means a just one. Some of the native commissioned 
officers serve upwards of forty years, and are beyond sixty years of age at the period 
of their transfer to the invalids. By including their ages and periods of service in 
striking an average, we should obtain one obviously too high. It is therefore ne- 
cessary to subdivide the men invalided, from having been worn out, into three 
classes, according to the several grades they were in when transferred, viz. commis- 
sioned officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates. The higher rate of pay, the 
lighter duties, and the superior pension, induce the native commissioned officers to 
hang on for a longer period than they would have done had they been in the inferior 
grades, and even to require a little gentle persuasion to present themselves to the 
invaliding commissioners when no longer fit fer duty. The same advantages, though 
in a lesser degree, may have their influence on the minds of the non-commissioned, 
and induce them to continue in the ranks a few years longer, though, as far as regards 
pension or duty, there is no difference between the grades of non-commissioned 
officers, the Naicks and Havildars. Not having attained to these benefits, the Sepoy 
or private has no great inducement to remain longer in the service than he possibly 
can; and if he sees no immediate chance of promotion to the next grade, is anxious 
to exchange the active duties of his condition for the ease and comfort of retirement, 
and accordingly exaggerates his disability. These considerations have their weight, 
and may account for the comparative numbers of the several ranks, and the relative 
ages and periods of service of those who are annually removed. These remarks do 
not apply exclusively to those who are declared “ worn out,” but to all pensioned, 
whatever may have been their disqualifying causes for military duty. There have 
been fourteen commissioned officers pensioned in the period we have submitted for 
examination ; their average age is 58 years 2 months, and their length of service 38 
years 3 months. ‘Twenty-five non-commissioned officers have been transferred in the 
same time to the invalid establishment from these three corps, of whom the average 
age is 47 years 8 months, and their length of service 26 years 6 months. During the 
nine years 1] Sepoys have been struck off the strength of these three corps, having 
been declared “ worn out” after a service of 24 years 8 months, and at an average 
age of 44 years 8 months, 

