9
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 18TH MARCH 1890, No. 2026.
cause has been attributed much of the malarial fevers from which the troops have suffered from
time to time. That such in all human probability is the case, the experience of other localities
similarly circumstanced tend to show. With a view to alleviate the noxious effects produced
by the wind blowing over this malarial swamp towards the barracks, the Medical authorities
have from time to time recommended that belts of fast-growing trees be planted between the
swampy ground and the barracks. This, no doubt, would be attended with very considerable
improvement and indeed the planting of trees over the whole cantonment of Secunderabad,
especially in the neighbourhood of the European barracks, would add immeasurably to the
comfort and appearance of the cantonment which at present is singularly bare and from the
perpetual glare very distressing to the eyes.
The 2nd British Infantry barracks in South Trimulgherry occupy, en echelon, an extended
area on an elevated and sloping piece of ground faultlessly situated were it not so much
exposed to the south-west monsoons. Strong draughts of cold and damp air blowing in upon
the men especially at night during the monsoon season are certainly very objectionable and
are well calculated to be the exciting cause of many diseases. It is very important that
steps should be taken to protect the men from these injurious influences. The roofs of the
barracks of the 2nd British Infantry Regiment have been in a leaky condition for some time,
and have quite recently been the subject of correspondence. The Medical officer in charge,
South Station Hospital, reports as follows :—
" The reroofing with Allahabad tiles of the 2nd British Infantry barracks, which was pro
-
posed to be done in 1888, did not take place ; this is a serious matter, as the roofs are in a very bad
state, and during the rains the men suffered much inconvenience and discomfort." The accom-
modation here is scarcely sufficient for a battalion of full Indian strength. The comfort of the
men. would be largely added to if each block were furnished with a certain number of cane
-
lounging chairs. They are specially needed in the cool of the afternoon during the hot season.
The coffee-shops of the Infantry and Artillery were fairly provided, but did not afford that
variety in articles of food which so largely contributes to the health of the men. In the coffee
-
shop of the 7th Hussars every variety of food, such as cheeses, hams, bacons, preserves of all kinds
were procurable, and it was possible at any moment of the day to obtain a good and wholesome
meat at a very moderate rate.
The accommodation generally has been sufficient with the exception of Cavalry barracks
where, owing to the strength of the present regiment (600), it has been found necessary to occupy
as dormitories the rooms of the lower stories, recreation rooms, gymnasium, &c., and tents.
These arrangements have been found indispensable pending the erection of the new barracks
which are now being built.
The meat ration has been found to be very thin and lacking in nutritive qualities; mutton
issued usually twice a week and beef five times being grass-fed in a place where even moderately
good grass is scarce, neither can ever be possibly good. Green vegetables are very few and
insufficient ; supplied only about twice a week. Nothing affects more prejudicially the health of
troops—especially that of young soldiers—than meat of inferior quality and insufficiency of green
vegetables. Deputy Surgeon-General Roberts states that " there are certain defects in the
cook-houses that admit of easy improvement and which, when effected, will materially assist in
the better cooking of the food."
" (a) The cooking ranges in all the cook-houses of Royal Artillery and Cavalry are too
low and the ovens are too small. The ranges should be elevated three feet from the ground
and so built that the smoke should go up the chimney ; in the middle of each range should be
a large oven.
" (b) In the British Infantry some of the cooking ranges are in a dilapidated condition
and all smoke more or less. They should be rebuilt on the plan recommended for the Cavalry
and Artillery.
" Meatsafes should be provided. Iron tubs should be substituted for the present wooden
ones in the British Infantry. Frying pans should be provided for the Cavalry and Artillery ;
the Infantry have been provided with them."
Hospitals .—There are three station hospitals, viz., South, North and Central, for the sick
of the Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery, respectively. The south has accommodation for 200
beds. This is the utmost limit it could be made to supply, and even then it would be scarcely
sufficient to meet the requirements of the two Infantry regiments of full strength as well as the
departments. This building has a very imposing appearance, but it lacks in many respects the
requirements of a good hospital. The wards run across the building and are draughty and
noisy. They were, however, well provided with screens and were on the whole very comfortable.
A large lavatory close to the building would add much to the comfort of the sick.
A detached building, formerly an hospital sergeant's quarters, has been appropriated for an
officer's hospital—a most necessary and useful institution.
The central and the north have sufficient accommodation and are exceedingly clean and
comfortable.
The hospital for women and children occupies one of the family quarters of the 1st British
Infantry Regiment.