10
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 13TH OCTOBER 1880, No. 6462.
Water. —The water supply is derived from an artesian well 700 yards from the barracks,
and to which the water is conveyed by an aqueduct ; the quality of the water is good and it is
abundant.
Rations. —The rations, canteen supplies and the cooking are all said to have been satis-
factory.
Lavatory.—The lavatory arrangements were sufficient ; a plunge bath is provided.
Latrines. —The latrine arrangements (on the dry-earth principle) were well carried out.
Bedding.—An advantageous change—the substitution of straw for coir stuffing in the
mattresses of the men in barracks—was introduced during the year.
Amusements. —There were gymnastic classes, and the usual out-of-door amusements were
provided.
Duties.—The duties were the usual routine ones, not excessive and not hurtful.
Sickness.—Malarial fevers caused a very large proportion of the illnesses during the year,
and although the station has the benefit of whatever advantage the enforcement at it of a
"Contagious Diseases Act" is supposed to confer, the admissions into hospital for venereal
diseases (all forms together) were in the rate of 414. per thousand of the strength.
RAMANDROOG.
This convalescent station is 38 miles from Bellary. It is placed on the plateau of a rock
which is 3,150 feet above sea level and 1,200 feet above that of the surrounding plain ; the
platean is one-and-a-half miles long and its breadth varies from a half to three-quarters of a
mile ; it slopes from west to east. It is composed of horneblende rock, the decomposition of
which forms its scanty and patchy surface soil. For the four first months of the year in this
elevated region, the air is cool, dry and exhilarating—the temperature being then usually 12°l
ower than the corresponding one at Bellary. April and May are the hot months, the thermo-
meter often registering 94º in the shade, but even then the mornings and evenings are cool,
and there is always a cool breeze from the west at night. Slight showers of rain fall in these
months ; in the intervals between them, the air may be sultry. The south-west monsoon bursts
in the end of May, and lasts until the middle of October, when it is succeeded by the north-east,
when heavy morning fogs are common, the thermometer stands at 58°, the air is damp and
chilly, and fires are necessary : in the end of the year, there are strong, dry, cold east winds.
Water. —The water-supply is from springs ; it is good and plentiful, but is not of easy
procurement. Macnamara filters are used for filtering.
Barracks. —The barrack is a single-storied block, well raised from the ground, and placed
on the west edge of the plateau ; it is stone-built, and a northern aspect, it is surrounded by a
verandah. The interior has an unusual arrangement ; on each side of a central corridor is one
large and two small rooms with end rooms for non-commissioned officers. The ventilation is
by means of doors, windows and by an uninterrupted space under the ridge. There are fire-
places in each of the rooms.
Married Quarters. —These are very good ; each family has two rooms, a back yard and.
separate accessory accommodation.
There are lavatories and bath rooms; the cooking is done with native utensils and appli-
ances, and is said to be satisfactory. The rations were good, a plentiful supply of various
vegetables was procurred from the Government gardens. The canteen supplies were very
good. The serge clothing was usually worn; white very little. The bedding was good. The
duties for the men not in hospital were nominal ; a marching out took place once a-week. For
amusement and recreation, there were the out-of-door games—cricket, quoits and skittles.
There is a reading room and a bagatelle board.
Hospital.—The hospital is 200 yards north-east of the barracks ; it contains three wards
and is surrounded by an open verandah. During the year, it afforded a cubic space of 2,600
cubic feet per patient. A Hospital Sergeant's quarter is a desideratum.
The improvements suggested by the medical officer are the construction of a drain from
the hospital lavatory to the main drain and the clearing off of the brushwood to a distance of
600 feet round the barracks.
[Statement