16
the 20th of May, and had begun to show its powers of extension in various
localities almost immediately after this date, and the bazaar people had begun
to suffer before the actual outbreak in the Hussars. It has been said that the
Sappers and Miners got their water from the identical well which supplied the
Hussars, and that they did not suffer from cholera, but the evidence as regards
this point, is not conclusive. There were some cases of cholera in the Sapper
Lines and adjoining village.
70. So far as the evidence goes to connect the outbreak of cholera in the
Hussars with impure water, we must content ourselves with the following facts :—
1st.—That the ordinary water-supply of the Corps was taken from a well
or wells on the parade ground, to which the general public
had free access, and that the method of drawing water was such
as to render the water constantly liable to contamination.
2nd.—That fatal cases of cholera had occurred in the Secunderabad
bazaar previous to the outbreak in the Hussars.
3rd.—That the use of the well or wells in question by persons from
cholera-tainted localities cannot be directly proved.
4th.—That although water may have been occasionally drawn from
another source nearer barracks, there is no evidence to connect
the use of such water with the cholera outbreak.
71. The water of the well on the parade ground, at the date of my visit,
Condition of water in
the
parade
ground
well.
was not in a satisfactory state. After standing for a short
time it deposited a greenish sediment consisting mostly
of desmidiaceæ. It had an unpleasant odour of vegetation, and was cloudy
and opaque. Numerous infusoria were seen under the microscope, and amœba
like forms existed in great number. No doubt all these things may and do
exist in water without giving rise to cholera, but it may safely be affirmed
that the drinking water of the Regiment was by no means free of suspicion
at the time of the outbreak, and that there was a very strong probability of the
well or wells having been polluted by travellers or others who had been exposed
to choleraic influences.
72. So long as water is taken from public wells, which are hourly resorted
to and defiled by any body who wants to draw water, it is quite certain that
troops or other communities drinking of such water are liable to cholera poison-
ing, whenever the contagium of the disease may be existing in the locality.
73. As regards the European troops at Trimulgherry, the only difference
Water
used
by
troops
at
Trimulgherry
less
liable
to
contamination.
between them and the Hussars, in regard to water-supply,
was that the Trimulgherry wells were kept solely for the use
of the troops and followers. The wells are all of great depth,
so as to be impracticable to natives, who draw for themselves, by a chatty tied
on to a rope.
All the water from these wells is lifted by bullock power in large leathern
bags into masonry reservoirs, and thence removed to the various barracks by
carts or puckally's bags.
74. While the Hussars were suffering from the cholera outbreak, the troops
Extension of cholera
to
Trimulgherry.
at
Trimulgherry escaped absolutely. At a later date cholera
extended to the native villages all around Trimulgherry, and,
on the 25th of June, or one month after the outbreak in Secunderabad, the
Artillery at Trimulgherry became slightly affected. The water in the Trimul-
gherry wells at this time had sunk very low, and the quality, as regards putrid