8
To sum up the number of horses kept at Parel is less than one-third of
that kept at Colába ; the interior sanitary arrangements at the former are
superior to those at the latter ; the record of fever cases at the former has up to
November last compared most favourably with that at the latter ; the tempera-
ture at the former averages 2° lower than at the latter. Notwithstanding all
these facts to the credit of Parel, 10 horses have been attacked there during
the recent outbreak of Surra against 4 horses attacked at Colába stables.
Feed and water-supply.—(a) Feed.—The Company's horses get from 12 lbs.
to 15 lbs. grain per day according to size. The majority of the horses attacked
with Surra fever were horses receiving 15 lbs. grain feed, The feed in question
was composed of a mixture of 8 parts, viz„ 3 parts gram, 3 parts barley, 1
part kulti (boiled), and 1 part Indian-corn. Their hay feed was 12 lbs. per
diem. The hay is grown on black soil in Gujarat. Like all Indian hay it is
jungle hay, not raised on drained land. The grasses we prefer and chiefly
employ for hay are Mosi, Daroia, and Zinjva (known in the Deccan as
" Sheera"). From August to middle of October, in accordance with our custom
for many years past, the horses received from 2 lbs. to 4 lbs. green grass daily,
grown in the neighbourhood of Bombay, They also receive daily 1 lb. bran
and 1½ oz. salt.
(b) Water.—The water used in the stables and everywhere on our lines
is all from the Municipal reservoirs at Vehár and Tulsi ; Colába stable is sup-
plied with Tulsi Water, and Parel stable with Vehár water. We had the water
used at the latter stable, and at the watering stations on the line near there,
analysed by the Government Analyst, Dr. Lyon. The following is his report
upon it :—
Statement showing the results obtained on examination of four samples of water
forwarded December 18th, 1888, by the Superintendent, Parel Stables, Bom
bay Tramway Company.
" Samples labelled :—
No, 1 Parel Terminus.
No. 2 Parel Stable.
No. 3 Byculla Bridge, N. side.
No. 4 Byculla Bridge, S. side.
Grains per gallon.
Total solids... ... ... ...
Chlorine
Parts per million.
Free ammonia
.........
Albumenoid
ammonia...
1
7.70
.91
.04
.19
2
8.40
.91
.02
.18
3
6.30
.84
.02
.21
4
4.20
.84
.02
.17
"Sediments.—In all scanty, chiefly vegetable débris.
'' A few paramonia in No. 1.
" From these results all four appear to be samples of water very similar in quality to the
ordinary Vehár supply of Bombay. The Albumenoid Ammonia results are perhaps very
slightly higher, indicating slightly more organic contamination. Were the case one of an
outbreak of fever among human beings, I should say that it was very improbable that any
connection existed between the outbreak and the water-supply."
Climatic conditions last year (1888).—The monsoon last year was an unusually
light one, the aggregate rainfall being 59 inches, against an average of 75 inches.
In September scarcely any rain fell, the total fall registered that month amount-
ing to 3½ inches only. There was no rain in October, and the temperature, which
throughout the month was unusually high, touched a maximum of 93° in the
shade. Early in October portions of the city were visited with a mosquito