108
There is no record of the barracks from which the cases of enteric fever
were admitted, but I am informed that the outbreak in the detachment of the
78th Highlanders in 1880 took place in one of the seven low storied barracks which
have since been pulled down. The barracks at present occupied are as a rule
fine buildings with well raised but unfortunately solid plinths, but they are
draughty and the ventilation in them is, during the monsoon, excessive. They
afford another illustration of the mistake of having one standard plan of
barracks applicable to all stations without reference to climate.
The temperature of the air at Kirkee and Poona although hot during the
month of April rapidly becomes cooler on the approach of the South west
Monsoon, and during the rains is often cold and raw as the strong south west
wind blows over large tracts of country which are very wet, taking up in its
passage a great deal of moisture, and those who are subject to fever cannot, with
impunity, during the monsoon, sleep in the breeze.
The barracks are situated on rising ground to the right bank of the
river Moola but on a lower level than the upland near Ganesh Khind, and the
storm water falling on this soaks through the intervening plain down to the river.
The principal cause of disease at Kirkee is malaria, and 1 look with extreme
apprehension at the late extension of wet (sugar cane) cultivation to the
windward of the station, especially as at Poona the fields are heavily manured
with poudrette.
Another source of malaria is the wet condition of the ground below the left
branch of the Mutha Canal. The earthen sides of the canal are not water tight
and it is carried across nálás through sheets of corrugated iron which leak. Much
leakage escapes from the canal and from these carriers, and wherever it does so,
the ground becomes marshy and rushes are seen to grow ; and if speedy measures
are not taken to remedy it, the station will become intensely malarious, especially
as the drainage from the canal gets into pockets of black or red soil from
which the water cannot escape into the nálás owing to intervening barriers
of rock.
The wet cultivation that has been allowed directly to windward of the bar-
racks must infallibly prove a source of disease. It seems extending to in the direc-
tion of Aound, and 1 think Government House at Ganesh Khind will feel its in-
fluence if it is permitted, or if some measures of underdrainage are not undertaken.
In my opinion no sugar cane cultivation should be allowed within a certain
radius of a station; but 1 observe that it is carried on in fields adjoining
houses in the Kirkee road, and it is only a question of time before their inmates
suffer.
The wastage water difficulty is felt at Kirkee as at other stations, but with
such a plentiful supply of water as now introduced there would be no difficulty
in providing a sewerage scheme to remove this as well as the night soil, urine, &c.,
if only money could be found for its execution. As at Poona, I think endeavours
should be made to prevent the full force of the wind blowing into the barracks
during the monsoon, and proper clothing and an extra blanket seems also to be
most desirable at this station,
KHANDA'LA.
The barracks are built near the edge of the Western Gháts at an elevation
of about 1,800 feet above mean sea level.
Convalescent soldiers are sent here during the hot season, and as the
climate is cool and pleasant and within the influence of the sea breeze, they derive
much benefit for the change.
A mountain battery has of late years also been kept here; but during the
monsoon the rain fall is so excessive and the barracks are consequently so damp
and cheerless, that the battery is moved into Poona.
The following table shows the disease statistics for the three years 1880 82.
There was a high rate of admission for dysentery in the 66th in the month of
December 1880, but the Regiment having just returned from service in
Afghanistan and whilst awaiting passage to England, the men had a good deal
of money and partook of more liquor than was good for them. The drinking
water is brought at this station through an iron pipe from a reservoir at Lanowli
on the top of the Gháts. It is said to be of good quality.