| Administrative History | From June 1799-October 1800 McGrigor and the 88th regiment were stationed at Colabah Island, near Bombay. |
| Description | Description of cases in the 88th Regiment while quartered on the island of Colabah. At the bottom of the title page has been written 'Bombay, 1800'.
The majority of the daily entries offer only very brief remarks on the condition and progress of patients. However, the weekly remarks contain a more detailed summary of individual cases and highlight the general condition of the patients in McGrigor's care. He also often records the weather conditions for the previous week in view of the effect this might have had on the patients.
Weekly remarks:
17-23 March (pp.2-3)
The sick list has decreased by 12. Mentions appearance of new disease: measles. The number of venereal cases continues to increase (13) and is the highest they have had at any one time; 9 are being treated with mercury, one is a case of gonorrhea…'Our cures by Mercury of Venereal cases have not hitherto been much quicker than those by the Acid, it remains to be seen which will be the most permanent'; they continue to use the acid as a 'tonic and gin'.
24-30 March (p.8)
There has been an increase in the number of sick from 28 (3 weeks ago) to 61, 'and this from known causes, from the intemperance and _ that has followed the men getting 2 months clearance'.
31 March-13 April (pp.16-17)
14-20 April (pp.21-22)
Notes general improvement in state of health of patients but remarks that this favourable state of affairs cannot continue for long 'as the fatal 24th is fast approaching'. They have admitted two cases of nyctalopia [night blindness], 'a disease which at this season prevails much'.
21-27 April (pp.25-26)
Mentions hepatitic cases. The venereal cases are being dismissed very slowly; 3 have been dismissed but 17 remain. Notes that after an unsuccessful month's trial of the acid treatment for a second time with one case, they have resorted to a mercurial treatment.
28 April-4 May (pp.50-51)
The regiment have had their clearances for the last 2 months paid to them, 'the consequence as formerly, a constant scene of drunkenness, and exposure to the sun by day, and lying in the [damp?] at night. There is an increase of 17 - the cases however not very serious…'.
4-12 May (pp.58-59)
Fifty remain on the sick list and they hope to have a further decrease by next 'dismissal day'. Discusses the dysenteric and liver cases, slow progress of venereal cases and cases of ophthalmia.
12-18 May (pp.66-67)
The sick list has increased since the last report, the majority of cases being ophthalmias and 'punished men'. The dysenteric cases continue to get better but discusses more serious cases.
19-25 May (p.73)
26 May-1 June (pp.80-81)
2-8 June (pp.89-90)
Notes weather conditions. Of the new cases two are suffering from hepatitis, one of whom is also 'attended with jaundice'. The condition of the ophthalmic cases has improved.
9-14 June (pp.96-97)
The number of sick continues to increase; the prevailing disease is dysentery 'no doubt occasioned by the change of season'. Discusses heavy rain fall during week and drop in temperature. One patient has died from dysentery. Discusses cases of dysentery, hepatitis, rheumatism and venereal cases.
15-21 June (pp.106-107)
The sick of the detachments of the 75th, 77th and 84th continues to increase; almost all of the latter are dysenteric cases. Mentions ophthalmic and other cases.
22-28 June (pp.122-123)
The number of sick has been greater than ever before (204); of these, 129 were from the detachments. Twelve cases have been admitted from the 88th; the most serious is a case of dysentery, now a case of [consumption?]. Also discusses other cases.
29 June-5 July (pp.137-138)
One patient has died. Liver and dysentery cases are the most prevalent: one third of the patients in hospital are suffering from this disease, made worse by the poor weather conditions. Mentions poor condition of barracks which are in need of repair as rain gets in. There are 22 cases of dysentery in the 88th but none are serious. Discusses cases in other regiments.
6-19 July (pp.153-155)
The number and seriousness of the cases has been greater during the last fortnight than at any previous time in India; they have rarely had less than 90 cases in hospital and 2 patients have died: 'Circumstances have been unfavourable, bad Barrack[s] in an unusually rainy and severe monsoon, for last 34 days rain without a fair day, betwixt showers it is very close and _ , therm[ometer] in shade from 78 to 83 [degrees]'. Discusses postmortem examination of two patients. Six cases [in the 88th] are in a dangerous state. Also discusses cases of hepatitis, dysentery, rheumatism, venereal and eye cases.
20-26 July (pp.161-163)
There are thirty dysenteric cases, half are being treated with mercury and half with acid. Of the venereal cases, 2 are being treated with acid, while 8 use the 'bark and mercury'.
27 July-2 August (pp.167-169)
One patient has died as a result of dysentery; discusses postmortem examination. Also discusses weather and other cases including those admitted with wounds.
3-9 August (pp.176-177)
They have had one fair day for the first time in 50 days. The sick list has increased by 2 and 1 patient has died. Discusses cases of dysentery, hepatitis and venereal disease: 'it is our intention for some months, to treat any venereal case with Acid…'. They have never had so many serious cases in hospital as they do now.
At the end of the volume there is an incomplete index. |