Ventilation
and drainage
of the men's
huts, &c.
Water-supply
Clothing.
Drill.
Exercises.
Vaccination.
80
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Natural
features
of district.
Natural features of district.— The surrounding district is a flat, arid-looking plain, bare of
jungle, and containing few forest trees. A range of low mountain intercepts the view towards
the north-west, and small isolated hills and rocks spring up here and there, varying the
monotony of the landscape. The hills and subjacent rocks are principally composed of gneiss,
possessing a flesh-colored tint, the detritus of which forms the red silicious soil which prevails
where the black cotton is absent. The latter perhaps is the more prevalent of the two. Its
origin seems still an unsettled question. The following trees flourish in and about this station:
Acacia Arabica (Babool), Caillea cineria, Azadirachta Indica (Neem or Margosa tree), Poinciana
pulcherrima, Cassia Roxburghi, Cassia glauca, Cassia auriculata, Cassia fistula, Tamarindus
Indica, Sesbania Ægyptiaca, Ficus religiosa (Peepul), Ficus Indica (Banyan), Ficus Tsiela, Ficus
racemosa, Ficus Benjamina, Sapindus emarginatus (Soap-nut tree), Bassia longifolia, Morinda
bracteata, Anona reticulata (Custard-apple), Bigmonia suberosa (Indian cork-tree), Tecoma
Capensis, Pongamia glabra, Guazuma tomentosa, Moringa pterygosperma (Horse-radish tree),
Lawsonia inermis (Henna), Euphorbia tirucalli (Milk-hedge), Aloe vulgaris, Plumieria acumi--
nata, Capparis horrida, Balanitis Ægyptiaca, Ziziphus jujuba, Feronia elephantum, Ægle
marmelos (Bael), Phœnix Sylvestris (Wild date-palm), Opuntia Dillonii (Prickly-pear), is
very abundant, Tribulus lanuginosus, a prostrate weed very abundant in the rains, has diuretic
properties. The Abutilon Indica, Achyranthes aspera, &c., grow wild.
Topography
and diseases
of the
district.
Diet.
Topography and diseases of the district.— The station is situated in latitude 15° longitude
75°, is almost equi-distant from the eastern and western coasts of the peninsula, so that though
it does not receive the full force of either monsoon, it benefits by both, and this combination
of circumstances, albeit, yielding a too small rainfall, contributes to the healthiness of the
climate, being dry and uniform, and the country free from swamps, exuberant vegetation,
or the imperfect sub-soil drainage which may result from wet cultivation. A westerly wind
blows continually during the south-west monsoon months which is always cool, coming, as it
does, from regions where rain prevails, and the same advantage is enjoyed when it veers to the
east. Intermittent fever, generally of a mild type, is prevalent all through the year,
particularly at the outbreak of the south-west and north-east monsoons. Ophthalmia (country
sore-eyes) is liable to attack children. Dysentery prevails in a moderate degree in the rains;
guinea-worm and fungus foot are common in the cotton-soil districts. Leprosy and
elephantiasis are rarely met with; other skin diseases are not particularly common.
Ventilation and drainage of the men's huts, &c.— The means of ventilation which the huts
enjoy is quite inadequate to the maintenance of pure air. The guard rooms are sufficiently
well ventilated. The drainage of the lines consists of surface channels along the sides of the
streets with which a small nullah from the private latrine of each compound communicates.
Water-supply .—The wells near the lines furnished an abundance of good water, but the
people preferred that obtained from an adjacent tank, which having become almost dry from
the absence of rain, was unfit for drinking until towards the end of the year, when it was
refilled by the rains.
Diet .—Famine prices and scarcity prevailed till the end of September. Since then provi--
sions became gradually more abundant and cheaper. Compensation for dearness was granted.
The following is a list of country vegetables obtainable in the regimental bazaar for the last
three months :—
Botanical Names.
Telugu Names:
1. Solanum melongena . . .
Vankaya.
2. Abelmoschus esculentus . . . Bandakaya.
3 . L u f f a f œ t i d a . . .
Birakaya.
4. Trichosanthes angina . . .
Potlakaya.
5. Lablab cultratus . . .
Chikkudikaya.
6. Cyanopsis psorialoides . . .
Gomchikkudee
-
kaya.
7. Lagenaria vulgaris . . .
Sorakaya.
Botanical Names.
Telugu Names.
8. Cucurbita maxima . . . Cummiadikaya.
9. Raphanus sativus . . . Mullangi.
10. Trigonella fœnum-græcum. Mentikura.
11. Vitis sitosa . . . Pullabuchalikura.
12. Amaranthus oleraceus . . . Totakura.
13. Hibiscus cannabinus . . . Gongura.
14. Musa paradisiaca . . . Aritikaya.
In many cases at least the men were unable to provide themselves and their families with
sufficient food while the famine lasted.
Clothing. —The clothing was sufficient and adapted to the seasons. No recommendation
was necessary.
Drill.—In the morning from 6 to 7 o'clock. Occasionally there is an evening parade from
about 5 to 6 o'clock. No recommendation required.
Exercises. —Clubs are used by the recruits; they are light and cannot at least do any
injury.
Vaccination has been regularly carried on. Re-vaccination was not practised. 3 cases
of small-pox occurred, 2 being of mild type, and 1 of the confluent form. All got well.
Epidemic.
Epidemic.— Four cases of cholera occurred in the lines, 3 being sepoys and 1 a child.
Out of which 1 man recovered. The disease was supposed to have been contracted in the
Native town,