April, 1848. TROOPS, DISEASES AMONGST. 121 



loosely laid planks, exposed to the cold wind, when the 

 ground without was covered with snow. Rheumatisms, 

 sharp febrile attacks, and dysenteries ensued, which were 

 attributed in the public prints to the unhealthy nature of 

 the climate of Dorjiling. 



The following summary of hospital admissions affords 

 the best test of the healthiness of the climate, embracing, 

 as the period does, the three most fatal months to European 

 troops in India. Out of a detachment (105 strong) of 

 H. M. 80th Regiment stationed at Dorjiling, in the seven 

 months from January to July inclusive, there were sixty- 

 four admissions to the hospital, or, on the average, 4^ per 

 cent, per month ; and only two deaths, both of dysentery. 

 Many of these men had suffered frequently in the plains 

 from acute dysentery and hepatic affections, and many 

 others had aggravated these complaints by excessive 

 drinking, and two were cases of delirium tremens. 

 During the same period, the number of entries at Calcutta 

 or Dinapore would probably have more than trebled this. 



