14
MILITARY DEPARTMENT, 13TH OCTOBER 1880, No. 6462.
The station of Secunderabad is six miles from the town of Hyderabad; it occupies a ridge
1,900 feet above sea level on which at wide intervals the barracks and hospitals of the various
corps are placed. Three miles north of Secunderabad is Trimulgherry, which may either be said
to be a part of Secunderabad station, or a distinct cantonment; the Cavalry and part of the Artil-
-lery are stationed at Trimulgherry. The ridge is composed of primary rock, boulders of which
are strewn over its surface singly or are heaped together in piles ; the low grounds on each side
and at either end where the watershed of the ridge stagnates are marshy or cultivated in rice;
numerous tanks occupy part of the area. The superficial soil of the ridge is a coarse loose sand
derived from the disintegration of the granite, its permeability favors the rapid drying up of
the surface after rain. An entrenched camp is placed on a favorable part of the ridge, and
part of the Royal Artillery and of the Infantry are quartered in it.
Barracks, Guard Rooms, &c.—The medical officer of the 2/16th Foot states in his report
that the roofs of the barracks occupied by that corps were imperfect and let in rain ; he does
not specifically state that this was remedied, but the nature of the defect required, and no doubt
received prompt remedy. With this exception, nothing adverse respecting the buildings in
which the men were lodged is recorded ; the space was in every instance greater than that
enjoined by the regulations. Ventilation was good, the temperature was kept down as
much as was practicable. It is stated that tatties were not used from previous experience of the in--
efficacy. The barracks were kept clean, and the rooms were limewhited during the year.
Drainage,
&c.—The medical officer of the 12th Lancers notes the absence of any system
for carrying off surface or other drainage from the immediate environs of the barracks of that
corps, and both the medical officer of the battery of Royal Artillery in the entrenched camp and
the medical officer of the 2/16th Foot remark that the low swampy ground to the west of the
barracks is a disease-producing element; during the monsoon it is to windward of the camp,
and its broken irregular surface (these are old gravel pits and other receptacles for the lodg--
ment of water) prevents the ready escape of water : they consider it one cause of the prevalence
of ague in its immediate neighbourhood. Another medical officer notices that the rain water
falling from the spouts connected with the roof is only carried a few feet from the walls, and
then is allowed to spread on the surface. With these exceptions, the reports contain nothing
adverse on the subject here referred to.
Latrines.—Are favorably reported on in every instance, both as to system (dry-earth) and
conservancy.
Water.—Is favorably reported on in every instance as to quantity, quality and filtration.
Rations.— No unfavorable notices occur in the reports : it is mentioned that fruits and
vegetables are scarce at the station.
Cooking. —The medical officer of the 12th Lancers strongly objects to the native cook--
houses, which are exceedingly dirty and smoky ; he does not consider that the latitude allowed
in cooking the rations to the fancy of almost every individual man overpowers other considera--
tions, and he would wish to see cooking ranges placed in the cooking-houses.
Canteen. —The opinions expressed respecting the value of the new canteen rules (by which
no restriction is placed on the quantity of beer allowed to be purchased by the soldier in a
day) are not unanimous ; though the preponderance of opinion is in favor of these. The direct
admissions due to drunkenness in the 1/21st Foot were 51 ; the indirect 17 ; and 19 admissions
were due to this cause of those occurring in the 14th Battery, 8th Brigade, Royal Artillery.
The articles sold are very favorably spoken of except in one instance of a partial, and not
important kind.
A new canteen was taken into use by the 2nd Battalion, 16th Foot, greatly increasing the
comfort of the frequenters.
Amusements. —No suggestion of any kind is made for the increased means of amusement;
these were most ample and varied. A gymnastic course was commenced in the 12th Lancers.
Clothing. —The medical officer of the 12th Lancers thinks that serge coats should be
provided for the men to wear in the early morning in the rainy and in the cold season; they
already have a loose, cloth patrol jacket.
Hospital. —A new building at Trimulgherry was taken into use by the Royal Artillery of
the whole station, the men of the corps quartered in the entrenched camp three miles off
having the very questionable advantage of being carried there in ambulance carts when sick.
The hospital is a long one-storied building built on a high plinth ; it is situated on the declivity
of the ridge on which the barracks stand, 400 yards from the nearest one; about 1,000 yards
from the hospital, the ridge ends on low swampy ground. The hospital affords cubic space at
2,622 feet, and superficial area 114 feet, for fifty-six beds, exclusive of a ward for contagious
illness and a prisoners’ ward placed outside the main building. There are well-fitted lavatories
at each end of the hospital, and latrines (dry-earth) are placed opposite to the lavatories. The
ventilation is good and the accessory accommodation (except in the absence of a quarter for
one of the medical subordinates) is good. In the kitchen, however, there is no range.
Adjoining the hospital is one for the women of the corps.