X
rapid depletion of surface rainfall is rather a result of happy accident than of
reliable construction. The area is too immense to be sensibly corrected even
by such extensive improvements as have lately been carried out in the Meerut
district; nor is it by any means sufficient to drain localities by a rapid surface
outfall, for this leads to torrents in the river, and this again to back-flow and
overflow beyond. The medical history, both of 1878 and 1879, proves, unfortu
-
nately too conclusively, that local surface drainage is no remedy at all against
a general prevalence of malaria, and the localities which are drained show a
very trifling, if any, advantage in their sickness and mortality over those which
lie beyond.
24. The conservancy of cantonments has remained unchanged in its general
regulations; but it is very doubtful if in practice the trench system is so
thoroughly adopted as it ought to be. The medical reports show that the prac
-
tice of sepoys "resorting to the jungle" is still far from uncommon, notwith
-
standing its well-understood baleful influence both on the air and water. On
the other hand, in stations which are more immediately under inspection, every
-
thing is being carried out in as perfect a manner as the circumstances will permit.
There can be no question about the excellence of the system of shallow trenches
and cultivation; the difficulty lies in its universal application and efficient
attention to details. The instincts and habits of the natives lead them in all
cases to prefer a resort to waste or arable land for purposes of nature; but the
Mosaic rules for deodorization will never be observed by individuals without
control. Roorkee, for example, may be instanced as a station where for many
years the right system was neglected, and the wrong one permitted under vari
-
ous excuses; "there was no ground available," "there were no sufficient funds,"
"the nullahs only were used, and these answered all the purposes of trenches,"
&c., &c. Now, under an active Magistrate, the same station is quoted
as the pattern of excellence; there was no difficulty in extending cantonment
limits; the land trenched pays; and the natives prefer the cleanliness and
convenience secured by them just as Europeans would.
25. There does not appear to have been sufficiently careful carrying-out of
the trench system in the many camping grounds which marked the routes of
the several divisions composing the Army of Afghanistan. Whether the hurried
preparation and advance, or the lack of servants, or the distraction of more
pressing needs, or the helplessness of the crowd, or all combined, rendered sani
-
tation on the road hopeless, is not stated; but all the medical reports mention
the condition of the camping grounds in terms of melancholy presage of
future disease. Of course the standing camps at Kandahar, Jellalabad and
Kurrum were placed under the trench system; but Afghanistan is an un
-
favourable locality generally for its adoption from the contracted limits of the
camps, the nature of the soil, and the enemy ever lurking to murder on the
outskirts. Urinals are not so generally provided regimentally as they should
be. It seems reasonable that every cantonment should be provided with such
accessories to the comfort and cleanliness of the soldier. The Sappers and
Miners have one in each company, described in the annual report for 1874. It
is constructed at a very trifling cost and maintained at no extra expense.
26. So much has been written on the inestimable value of a pure water
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supply in India, so many advantages have followed its introduction in some
places, and so many disasters have followed the neglect of proper precautions in
providing it, that little remains to be said on the subject. In the report for last
year allusion was made to the importance of having periodical analysis of water
prepared, and it was suggested that this could be better carried out if special
bottles were forwarded to the several Chemical Examiners for report. But to
this I have objected. Efficiency must be combined with economy; and it
would be doing scant justice to the careful practical education in water ana
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l y s i s w h i c h m e d i c a l o f f i c e r s h a v e u n d e r g o n e p r e v i o u s t o e n t e r i n g t h e s e r v i c e , i f
from the day they entered it, the duty was entirely taken from them and placed
in the hands of officials who, however experienced and skilful, could have
neither local judgment nor responsibility. My obligations are due to Mr. Wood,
late Chemical Examiner to the Government of Bengal, for his aid in devising, at
my suggestion, the apparatus and re-agents necessary for a rough and ready
analysis of water. There will soon be a supply of these chemical cabinets ready