29
EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT.
In consequence of the unusual night cold and range in thermometer, rheumatic affections
were very prevalent in winter. In consequence of the floods polluting water-supply and creat
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ing vast swamps, bowel disorders and malarial fevers were prevalent during the rains, and con
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tinued into the cold weather to an unusual extent; while the enhanced price of provisions
probably assisted in producing liability to anæmia and disorders of all kinds.
V. Lines.—The old lines were condemned and pulled down during the year; on the same
site new and much improved lines have been erected by the sepoys themselves under the
direction of the Commanding Officer, at the relatively inconsiderable cost of Rs. 2,190. The
new residences of the men consist of (a) barracks for single men, (b) quarters for married
men, and (c) Native officers' houses.
VI. Drainage.—The station labours under great disadvantages in respect of natural
drainage. The river Brahmaputra bounds it to the north. The ground swells up to form its
bank, and from this falls steadily away in level towards the south where the plain is bounded
by high hills a little behind the station; consequently the portion of the station situated
close to the river bank has a good outfall into the river, while the rest of the station
naturally drains into the low lands to the south, these forming swamps and tanks during the
rains. Unfortunately the lines are situated in the south part of the station. Hence the
natural drainage of a portion of the station is into them or through them to the ground beyond.
During the cold weather, while the river is low and the swampy low lands dry, the lines are
dry and healthy; when the swollen river is at its fullest, its level is above that of the ground
on which the lines stand. The surface drainage of some part of the station pours into or
through the lines into the low lands further south, which themselves become swamps about
on a level with the lines. Hence the subsoil water-level is close to the surface in the lines, and
there is no possible outfall for the drainage unless it were by means of a lift. However,
well arranged reticulation of open surface drains, on a well-considered system run through the
lines and receive the rainfall from the barracks, &c., and to some extent carry it off. These
drains are kept clean, open, and in working order. Some general system of drainage is
needed to lower the subsoil water level during the rains.
Drainage.
VIII. Water-supply.—Water for drinking and culinary purposes is obtained from (a) river
Brahmaputra; ( b) two wells in the lines; (c) it is to be feared that it is also taken from two
tanks which lie temptingly suggestive at the doors of the sepoys.
(a) River Brahmaputra.—The supply is of good ordinary quality; unfortunately the river
is distant about half a mile from the lines.
(b) Two wells in the lines .—These have been constructed in recent years. Each is lined
with pucca work throughout, a coping of similar material rising about two feet high round its
mouth. A masonry platform, about 10 feet wide, is continuous with and surrounds the coping.
This slopes outward, and round its circumference runs a pucca drain to receive the drippings,
&c. The mouth of each well is fitted with a permanent wooden cover, in which are four hinged
trap-doors opening upwards. No drippings can return into the wells, nor any dust, &c., blow
in. The water in these wells is excellent of its kind, and the men take sufficient interest in
them to keep them from being fouled. In the cold weather the water is at some distance from
the surface, and the men have much trouble in drawing it up by means of their lotahs and
strings. it would be a great improvement sanitarily, and a great convenience to the men, if a
pump could be put into each well. The common pump would act well enough as the water
level is never below from 29 to 30 feet.
(c) Two tanks in the lines.— It is much to be feared that the men drink this water. Both
commanding officer and myself have taken great and frequent pains to explain to the men
the ill-effect of drinking tank water used for bathing purposes, and have illustrated it with
reference to the production of intestinal worms. I believe most of the men, the Goorkhas and
Hindustanis, are cleanly and careful in the matter of their water. The Jerwahs (Assamese hill
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men), of whom there are about 25 in the Wing, are probably careless in this and in other
sanitary respects. Probably no body of natives can be trusted, with tanks at their doors, to
bathe without lifting some of the water to their mouth either to wash the mouth or to drink.
When scientific provision has been made for a sufficient supply of pure water over the station,
I
hope to see these tanks entirely filled in and effaced; until then I shall never feel assured that the
men restrict themselves to the river or well water. No cases of cholera occurred during the
year.
IX. Rations .—Rations on the regulated scale were supplied by the Commissaria Depart
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ment, consisting of atta and rice, dhal, salt and ghee. These were ordinarily of good quality.
In July, however, the ghee was bad, and a Committee sat and condemned 30 tins as unfit
for issue. The men receive in addition to their pay of Rs. 7-8-9, an Assam batta of Rs. 2-8
a month ; for their rations Rs. 3-8 is stopped, hence they are left with Rs. 6-8-9, for purposes
of supplementing their diet, clothing and superfluities. The single men may therefore be
considered well off. In the case of married men with large families living is difficult here
as elsewhere, and some such men no doubt stint themselves for their families sake and suffer
in health and efficiency in consequence. The regimental bazar is very carefully supervised
by the Commanding Officer and the Medical Officer with a view to ensuring constant sup
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plies of good quality and moderately regulated price. These supplies consist of fish at all
seasons, vegetables and fruits of whatever ordinary kind the season affords. The vegetables
are chiefly the yam, sweet potatoe and allied kinds, many varieties of the pumpkin and gourd
tribe, brinjal and sag ( i.e., boiling greens) of various kinds. The fruits, chiefly plaintains,
native limes, oranges, pomelloes and others of the citron tribe, mangoes, &c. These fruits and
vegetables are abundant and cheap, and the men ordinarily supplement their rations with a
Rations.
Water-supply.