130.
A SKETCH OP THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
form of annual report on account of the regiment having been marching about for the last
nine months. The long and trying marches through Cutchee and the Bolan I have described
in my cholera report, and recommended a line of wells to be dug between Jacobabad
and Dadur, for the use and safety of troops.
2. The first standing camp was at Mustoong, a pleasant, open, well-cultivated valley
with abundance of fruit of various kinds, grain and artificial
grass (lucerne), an unlimited water-supply of good quality, and
an altitude of about 6,000 feet. We halted here from 27th April to 20th July, and enjoyed
the change of climate from the burning plains immensely. Being under canvas, we felt the
heat considerably during the day ; but a cool breeze always sprang up in the evening, and the
nights were invariably so cold that we found it necessary to sleep under blankets. The
tableland of Mustoong is the most fertile and productive of the Beloochistan plateaux ; the soil
is alluvial, consisting of detritus from the surrounding hills ; and the peculiar system of
irrigation by means of "krazes,"or pits dug at different levels till water is struck and con--
nected by subterranean channels, admits of its being cultivated in sloping terraces, which to
a certain extent fertilize each other, and preclude the possibility of the ground becoming
exhausted ; as when the upper slopes of the valley are flooded by rain or artificially from the
water-courses, fresh soil is washed down to the lower fields. The" dewars " or tillers of the
ground in these parts are industrious and skilled agriculturists ; they manure their fields care--
fully, and seem to appreciate the advantages of the system of rotation of crops. Wine and
silk could be produced here on an extensive scale if one might judge by the gigantic
specimen of the vine and mulberry trees growing in the different orchards and gardens
throughout the valley ; the vine also flourishes luxuriantly in the open fields, which is
sufficient to indicate the mildness of the climate as well as the fertility of the soil.
3. From the latitude of the Beloochistan hills their climate cannot be compared in its
bracing effects with that of the Himalayas ; but taking their elevation, average temperature,
and dryness into consideration, I should say the valleys of Mustoong and Shawlcote are quite
capable of being colonized by Europeans. Irrespective of the importance of these places in a
political point of view, I am convinced they will in future be appreciated as a valuable
sanitaria for troops serving on the North-West Frontier; indeed, it is difficult to understand
why they have not been utilized as such since our treaty with Khelat existed ; from what
I have observed, the people would have been only too glad to see us amongst them- These
valleys would be vastly improved by arboriculture along their numerous water-courses, which
might be opened up to the hill-sides instead of running underground as at present, and road-
making presents no greater difficulties than simply levelling the ground at most places.
4. The accompanying register of temperature will give an idea of the climate of
Mustoong and Khelat during the hot season ; the cold in winter there I believe is very severe.
The nomadic portion of the population avoids it by descending into Cutchee, again migrating
to the hilly plateaux with their flocks and herds when the heat becomes oppressive in the
plains, to graze on the hill-sides which are covered with grass after the melting of the snow
in March and April.
Topography and climate.
[Statement.