12
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 18TH MARCH 1890, No. 2026.
but the erection of a new building lately has obviated this. The basement flooring of the
barracks has been recommended to be laid with concrete as it was found that the fine dust from
the existing flooring permeated everything.
The hospital is an ordinary full company barrack built of corrugated iron. The main room
is 180 feet long, 30 wide and 21 high, affording room for 50 beds. It has been found insuffi
-cient for requirements during the unhealthy season, and an unoccupied barrack had to be
utilized as an auxiliary hospital.
The cook-houses, lavatory and latrines are only temporary bamboo buildings. A perma
-nent cook-house has lately been built and is reported to be nearly ready for use.
Water has been obtained from wells, as that obtainable from the near side of the river has
been found of bad quality from sewage contamination. The supply has been good, the wells
being protected from possible contamination.
The sanitation of the native town is very bad.
A marsh exists outside the stockade which is supposed to be the main cause of the preva
-lence of malarial fevers; efforts are now being made to drain it, but probably will be only
partially successful.
The climate is reported to be pleasant from November to March, but during the rainy
season from June to October it is unhealthy, malarial fevers being very prevalent.
Shwebo.—At this station the barrack buildings are reported to have been constantly in
need of repair and generally in a somewhat dilapidated condition. There has been insufficient
accommodation in the guard-room. Sanitation has generally been well attended to.
A Buddhist monastery and a wooden shed with a double roof have been used for the
accommodation of the sick; the former building accommodated 12 and the latter 20 sick. On
the arrival in November of Hampshire Regiment with a number of sick, another large monastery
was occupied.
Bernardmyo.—This station is situated on the slope of a valley surrounded by hills and at
an altitude of 5,800 feet. The hills immediately around are covered with dense jungle which
is burnt every cold weather by the inhabitants. Rocks, chiefly limestone, appear frequently on
the surface.
The valley slopes to the west and a tolerably large stream runs through it. The soil is
loam, underlaid with clay; some marshy ground exists about ¼ of a mile from the station.
The troops have been accommodated in four barracks built of wood with thatched roofs;
the floors are raised from the ground five feet at one end and three at the other. Half of one
barrack is screened off to act as a library and reading-room. A space exists between the walls
and roof which allows Of ventilation.
The buildings are draughty; they each contain two fireplaces and fuel has been supplied in
abundance; occasional overcrowding took place.
The hospital is a building similar to the barracks.
The water-supply has been abundant and of good quality, sparkling and pleasant to taste;
it collects on the hills to the east of the station and is brought thence in wooden bamboo pipes.
In the latrines the want of a Crowley cart has been experienced. The filth receptacles
have been cleansed twice daily. The lavatories are merely thatched sheds, they have paved
drains.
The rations have been described as monotonous, no mutton being available except for
hospital purposes. Vegetables have grown well and there has been an abundant supply.
Salenmyoi s s i t u a t e d i n t h e v a l l e y o f t h e I r r a w a d y a b o u t 9 m i l e s d i s t a n t f r o m t h e r i v e r .
The surrounding country is flat and under wet cultivation for the greater portion of the year.
The barracks are all of a temporary nature and are described as being in a ruinous condition
after having been two years in use. They are built of mats and have thatched roofs. The
upper portions of the walls are raised outwards for purposes of ventilation.
The hospital is a similar building, the roof leaks badly during the rains, and the walls and
posts are stated to be undermined by destructive insects.
The floors of the bath-rooms are not paved, which causes them to be sodden with water.
The canteen is situated beneath the hospital, which is an objectionable arrangement. It is
anticipated that this station will be relinquished as a military post.
Myingyan. —This was the head-quarters of the 2nd Brigade. The barracks are built of
teakwood and have double roofs with ridge ventilation and broad verandahs. They are raised
from the ground and are well lighted by means of doors and windows. Kerosine lamps are used
at night. The buildings have been found suitable, but constantly need repairs, One of them
was used as a hospital and was well adapted for the purpose.
The recreation rooms are reported to have been particularly good.
The want of accommodation for hospital subordinates has been a source of much incon
-venience.
Food-supplies were fairly plentiful, beef of good quality was supplied, but mutton was
issued only once or twice a month.
Fresh vegetables were procurable daily.
Cooking arrangements were satisfactory.