SANITARY REPORT OF BRITISH TROOPS IN THE MADRAS
COMMAND FOR 1885.
The health of the British troops during the year under report may be considered satis-
factory. Though it does not compare favorably with the year 1884, still it bears a favorable
comparison with the previous ten years. Although cholera and small-pox were prevalent
amongst the civil population, yet only six cases of the former, with two deaths and six cases of
the latter, occurred during the year. To enteric fever is due 23.71 per cent. of the total deaths
during the year. Nothing tangible has been elicited regarding the causation of enteric fever
in this Presidency. As regards Bangalore, Brigade Surgeon Hunt reports: "The etiology of
this fever still continues involved in uncertainty. The quality of the water-supply was
doubtless suspicious, but every effort has been made by filtration, boiling and refiltration to
minimize its deleterious quality. The hypothesis, however, that the Ulsoor water-supply is the
sole and only cause of the disease, must be accepted with some reservation, when cases of so-
called enteric fever are of constant occurrence among private families occupying well-
constructed, isolated houses, where the water-supply is obtained from carefully-protected wells,
and when we find the women and children in barracks, who are obviously water-drinkers,
comparatively free from the disease. To the proximity of the Ulsoor tank and the emanations
arising therefrom, has been attributed the prevalence of this fever, but in the case of the A gram
barracks they are quite one and-a-half miles from the tank, are situated on the reverse slope of.
an intervening ridge and on the extreme flank of the tank, and consequently without the track of
the prevailing monsoons." It has been alleged that the drying up of the tank is another cause
of the disease, but this theory can scarcely be entertained, as the statistics of the last decade
fail to show that the tank water-level exercises the slightest influence. Deputy Surgeon-
General Rean is of opinion that the nature of the soil at Kamptee has a considerable influence
in the production of enteric fever at that station and, if not the only factor, is at least an
important one in the etiology of the disease. The Medical Officers at Bellary and Secunderabad
are of opinion that the men contract the disease in the native bazaars. It is the habit of the
men to frequent these and indulge in native drinks, chiefly bad water, into which an effervescing
powder is placed.
BARRACKS.
Eastern District .—The lower rooms in the King's barracks, Fort St. George, are scarcely
fit for occupation during the hot weather, owing, not to want of ventilation, but to the rooms
being cut off from free perflation. In consequence of the garrison being weak, very few men
were accommodated in these rooms during the hot weather.
At St. Thomas' Mount, owing to the reduction in the strength of troops, it was not
necessary to occupy the old north and south barracks; the other occupied barracks are on a
good plan and in good sanitary condition.
At Poonamallee the barracks have been condemned as unsuitable for this depot and double-
storied barracks are to be erected. Though these buildings are old, they are in fair order and
afforded ample accommodation for the men sent there during the year.
Bangalore Division and Ceded Districts .—At Bangalore all the barracks are in a good
sanitary condition, but some are, as has been noticed in previous reports, in close proximity to
a densely-crowded native bazaar.
At Wellington the sergeants' mess has been moved from a room in front block of barracks
to basement of school-house, formerly used as an infant school, which has been moved
upstairs. The room vacated by the sergeants' mess has been converted into an officers'
mess and reading room. A church is being built on a level spot above married quarters.
This, when completed, will give one more dormitory to the depôt. A bakery is also in course
of construction.
Belgaum and Western Districts .—At Malapuram there was, for a short time during
the Moplah outbreak, some overcrowding owing to a great accession to the strength. One of