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Theory propounded
by Assistant Surgeon
Anderson as to the dis-
turbance of old soil in
the bazaar close by the
Hospital, causing the
outbreak.
58. Dr. Anderson, Assistant Surgeon of the Regiment, has advanced a theory
to account for the virulence of the cholera in particular
barracks. In the bazaar to the west of the barracks and
hospital, and only a few yards distant from the hospital, the
Cantonment Committee had been widening a road ; and to
effect this, several old huts were pulled down, and the débris deposited to
raise the level of a waste piece of ground just outside, and to the west of, the
hospital wall. Dr. Anderson has suggested that the disturbance of this old soil
might have extricated cholera virus contained in it, which would be blown by
the north-west wind then prevailing over the hospital and barracks, particularly
those blocks which were the most affected. The report of this Officer in extenso,
will be found in Appendix 11.
Theory not consistent
with actual facts of
cholera invasion along
the Eastern Road.
59. I need only remark here, in regard to this theory, that it is not consistent
with the actual facts of the introduction of cholera into
Secunderabad. Dr. Anderson was not in possession of those
facts, at the time when his report was drawn up. Against
the view of the disturbance of the soil being accountable for the local outbreak,
it may be noted that neither the people engaged in the work, nor the bazaar
people living in the immediate neighbourhood suffered, nor did the Hospital
Apothecary and his family, whose quarters abut closely upon the locality where
the hutting débris was deposited, nor did one of the detachment of Native
Infantry that guarded the barracks after their vacation by the Hussars, get an
attack of cholera, and out of thirty-two persons in hospital, the building nearest
to the débris, only one was attacked. Moreover there had been no rain previous
to the outbreak to moisten and restore to vitality any hidden cholera contagium
in the disturbed soil. On examining this débris, some three weeks after the
outbreak, it appeared to consist of inoffensive material, mostly red, sun-dried
clay, with admixture of ashes, broken pottery, bricks, &c.
Relative levels of Bar-
racks in which cholera
cases occurred.
60. The ground 011 which the Barrack blocks 1 and 2 stand, is at an eleva-
tion of thirty-three to thirty-six feet above the main drainage
outlet of the barracks. From these blocks the ground slopes
away to the south-east, so that the blocks 5 and 6 are about
twelve feet below the level of 1 and 2. The side blocks of the square are at
intermediate elevations. Blocks 3 and 8 being about six or seven feet below
1 and 2.
As regards cholera, one of the blocks (2) on the highest elevation gave the
most cases, while the blocks 5 and 6 at the lowest level of all, gave the
smallest proportion. It must be noted, however, in regard to block 2 that an
old latrine was inconveniently close, and to windward, and that there is a strong
probability of this latrine having been much resorted to on the night of the
24th May, by those affected with premonitions of cholera.
Barrack well not used
for drinking water.
61. Water-supply.—There is a fine old well, sunk to a great depth in
solid or decomposing granite, to the east of blocks 7 and
8. This well formerly supplied the drinking water of the
Regiment, and was used generally for cooking and domestic purposes. The
water on 23rd June was more than forty feet from the surface of the ground.
The sides of the well are walled in with stone masonry, and a parapet and paved
surface surround it. Water is drawn in a leathern bag, by bullock power, and
run into a cistern, whence it is taken to the cook-rooms, lavatories, &c., for use.
4