Duties.
Vaccination.
Location of the corps.
Movements.
27
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
7 Owing to the unusually small amount of rain during the months of September and
October, a famine occurred over the greater part of the Deccan;
and though large quantities of grain, &c., have been brought in
from other districts, the food for some months past has been very expensive, and many put to
great hardships.
Food.
8. The duties of the sepoys have not been excessive, and
on an average each man has had 3 9/41 consecutive nights in bed.
9. Vaccination has been regularly carried on during the
year.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL T. B. BEATTY, M.D.
Since the arrival of this regiment from Surat to the Deccan, the general health of the
men, as was anticipated, has become much improved. In the year 1875 and 1874, the number
treated was 1,264 and 1,287, respectively, the deaths being 11 and 6. During the past year
the total treated was only 827, whilst the casualties amounted to 5.
The hospital, which is built to accommodate 30 patients, was found at the time of inspec
-tion clean, and in all respects admirably managed by Surgeon McConaghy, who, however
pointed out the great disadvantages of continuing the use of clay-washing for the floors. The
latrines attached to the hospital, though carefully attended to, are capable of much improve
-ment as regards construction.
H. M.'s Bombay Sappers and Miners.
KIRKEE.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major J. F. STRAKER; strength 360.3.
The corps has remained at the new lines across Holkar's
Bridge, now termed New Jhansie.
2. One company left on January 16th for Aden, the 5th
company from Aden arriving here on the 20th March.
3. The new lines were fully described in the report for last year. The only change has
been that the native officers' houses, which were not then finish
-
ed, have since been completed. The average number occupying
the lines has been very nearly the same as for last year, so that the cubic space per man has
been about the same.
4. The bazaar is slowly increasing by a house at a time,
there being now about 6 shops.
5. Conservancy is in the same state as last year, the diminished rain-fall having made it
slightly less abominable. Sanction, I believe, has been given to
have a proper permanent latrine; but some delay has taken
place in beginning this, as the Sanitary Commissioner wished the Crawford pattern of seat to
be used, and this has not yet been supplied. From the description given me by the Co
m-missioner at his inspection of our lines, I should say this would be an excellent arrangement.
The site of the new latrine, as approved by Dr. Hewlett, is much nearer the lines.
6. The water-supply is now entirely from the Kharakwásla Canal, the pipes having been
laid down and water supplied since last month; but I regret to
add that for some time after that the supply was of a very inter
-mittent character, and the complaints from the inhabitants of the patcheries, the highest and
furthest point to which the water goes, were very loud and frequent. Towards the latter
part of the year the supply has been more regular. In connexion with this, three dipping
tanks of masonry were built in rear of the lines suitable for the different castes, with a raised
plinth round each, and gutters to carry off the waste water.
Lines.
Bazaar.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
7. The food supply was good, and cheap enough till the latter months of the year, when
the scarcity of rain not only here, but still more in the surround
-ing districts, especially to the east, began to be felt, and prices
were all raised, but not to such an extent as to cause any actual privation.
Food.