39
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
2. I reported fully for 1874 on the topography and sanitation of the camp; and I have
now only to reiterate my remarks made in the reports for that and several other past years,
and again to mention with regret that the building of lines for the detachment has not yet
been commenced.
Epidemics.
3. I am happy to state that no epidemic disease occurred
in the camp or neighbourhood during the year.
4. The total treated was 41, all these cases being admitted during the year; 37 men
were discharged cured, 1 died, 1 was sent on sick leave, and
2 remained. The only serious or important case was that of
Bangeer Tepal Sing, a man of weak frame, aged 25, who died from remittent fever. He was
taken ill on the march up from Sirur in September whilst proceeding to this station with
a relief party, and was admitted into hospital on the 24th of that month in a very prostrate
condition, having suffered for several days previously from severe fever, and having received
no nourishment or medicine. The fever was a good deal subdued under the use of quinine and
diffusible stimulants; but the system seemed to have been too much exhausted before treat
-ment was commenced, and the case ended fatally, with cerebral effusion and coma on the 3rd
October.
Detachment H. M.'s 4th Rifles N. I., with Garrison Staff and Details.
ASIRGARH.—In medical charge of Surgeon J. S. WILKINS; strength 144.7.
The detachment of the 4th N. I. (Rifles), at present quartered at Assirgarh, relieved the
previous detachment of the same regiment on the 18th Decem-
ber 1875, having marched from their head-quarters at Satara
to Poona where they remained for one month, and by train from Poona to Chandni, and
from Chandni to Assirgarh in a march of about 7 miles.
2 . T h e a v e r a g e s t r e n g t h o f t h e 4 t h R i f l e s D e t a c h m e n t f r o m D e c e m b e r 1 8 t h , 1 8 7 5 , t o
December 31st, 1876=144.7. Average strength of garrison staff
and details for the year is 172; that of the European officers 6.
3. This important topic has been and is at present the subject of a great deal of inves
-tigation and the expenditure of a large amount of money. The
water-supply in this fortress is entirely dependent on the
annual amount of rainfall, which is often uncertain. There are four tanks which supply water
to the station, and out of these four only two are at present in use. The tank to the west end
of the fort is called the "Sepoy Tank," and is used only for bathing and other purposes, and
not for drinking. The water is subjected to a rude filtration into "Jeeras" or small holes dug
on the bank of the tank, and into which the water filters. A specimen of this water was sent
for analysis to Bombay in May last, and was condemned because of the quantity of albuminoid
ammonia it contained, which was 8.400 grains per gallon, or 1.200 parts per million. This
tank was cleaned out about 11 years ago at the recommendation of Dr. Leith, the then Sani
- t a r y C o m m i s s i o n e r . I b e l i e v e t h e E x e c u t i v e E n g i n e e r h a s p r o p o s e d a p l a n o f s i n k i n g a w e l l a t
the western borders of the tank, so that the water should filter through into it, but the scheme
has not been as yet taken in hand. The second tank is known as the "Sucker Tank," and is
about twenty yards to the east of the former tank, from which it is divided by a broad walk
lined with trees. I believe that in former years these two tanks were undivided, but at pre
- s e n t t h e r e s e e m s t o b e n o c o m m u n i c a t i o n b e t w e e n t h e t w o w a t e r s , a s t h e l e v e l o f t h e " S u c k e r
Tank" is about 15 feet higher than the "Sepoy Tank." A well sunk at the eastern edge of the
tank supplies all the potable water at present obtained. The water filters through natural
media into the well, and on the whole is found to be pure and wholesome if we may take the
number of cases of diarrhœa and dysentery (which are few in number, and I don't think at
- t r i b u t a b l e t o t h i s w a t e r ) a s e v i d e n c e o f i t s i m p u r i t y . T h e w e l l i s c o v e r e d o v e r t o p r e v e n t a n y
impurities from getting in, and the bheesties' bullocks are not allowed near this or any of the
other tanks. An orderly sepoy is stationed at the well to see that no one draws more than
the quantity allowed, which is at present one or two mussucks, or from 9 to 18 gallons for the
officers; 7 puckalls, or about 189 gallons, for the European troops; and one gallon for each of the
sepoys. No leather buckets are allowed to enter the well, the water being drawn up in iron
ones. In fact, every precaution is taken to prevent the possibility of contamination. Bheesties'
bullocks are taken away from the fort and kept outside the gates for the nights; and the mules,
at present kept on the hill, will also be taken outside the fort walls and quartered there per
- m a n e n t l y w h e n n o t r e q u i r e d f o r u s e i n t h e f o r t . T h e s e p r e c a u t i o n s a r e h i g h l y n e c e s s a r y , a s a
great deal of the excretions from these animals find their way into the ground (notwithstand-
ing the care taken in removing the filth), and owing to the rocky nature of the ground and the
Sickness and mortality.
Location and movement of corps.
Average strength.
Water-supply.