of the late Sickness at Akyab. 25 



proves the influence of judicious means to counteract the effects of a 

 bad climate. In 1843, the number of Endemic patients was much 

 greater than in the former year, but relatively with the number ad- 

 mitted, not much difference is discernible. The most interesting 

 part, however, of this Appendix, is the number of patients admitted in 

 each year. Although the Battalion is nearly 1,000 strong, still it 

 must be observed, that the usual number at Head Quarters is 693. 

 In the year 1839 and 1840, upwards of 600 men were admitted each 

 year, while in 1843, no less a number than 752 were admitted, 

 being 59 patients more than men at Head Quarters. This curious 

 result is accounted for by some being re-admitted, death vacancies 

 being filled up, and out-post guards being relieved. The first six 

 months, however, of the present year, a still greater amount of sickness 

 is observable, 507 registered patients having been treated in the 

 Regimental Hospital, being at an average of 1,014 patients in the 

 course of the year. Regarding this number, therefore, with respect 

 to the number at Head Quarters of the Battalion, the amount of 

 sickness is about 146 per cent, per annum. 



3. In referring to the same Appendix, and regarding the in- 

 fluence which Epidemic diseases appear to have exerted in producing 

 these varied results, it appears, that up to the year 1843, cholera 

 was the only Epidemic which has shewn itself, and then only in the 

 year 1841, to any very great extent. In the year 1843, a disease not 

 before noticed in the Reports of the former six years (although 

 it has always prevailed throughout the Province, especially in the 

 hot months, but never to any great extent), fully developed itself; 104 

 cases of small-pox were admitted ; its character was not of an ordinary 

 nature, confluent to a most frightful degree ; the patient was admitted, 

 himself despairing of the result. Superstition, bigotry, and prejudice 

 seem, in almost every case, to have bound his savage and uneducated 

 mind to the dogmas of his priests ; and by the most vigilant care on 

 the part of the military executive, this undue and prejudicial in- 

 fluence could not be entirely counteracted. Sacred earth was spread 

 over his body ; he put no faith in medicine not blessed by his priests ; 

 and the consequence was, despair and subsequent death. So violent, 

 indeed, was this frightful disease, that many of those, who at the time 

 recovered, lived for a short time to drag out a miserable existence, 



E 



