LAHORE DIVISION.
115
VI. Conservancy and latrines. —The latrines are not much used; almost all the men resort
to the fields on the south side of the railway, which are a considerable distance off ; and the
climate is so dry that no ill-effects result, nor is any unpleasant smell perceptible. On the
march, trenches were ordered to be dug at every camp. In general, on arrival at the encamping
grounds, they were found very filthy. Dead camels strewed the road, and lay scattered all about
the ground; the stenches were most sickening. With few exceptions the camps had to be
pitched on ground which had recently been not only the site of several preceding regimental
camps, but also of large camel conveys. At Rajanpur the conservancy arrangements were
good.
VIII. Water-supply. —At Mooltan the water is good and abundant from the wells des-
cribed in previous reports ; at Rajanpur the water was from wells also, and apparently good ;
at Mithankote Indus river water, which the men preferred to all other. On the march it was
exceptional to come across even fairly good water ; in many places it was quite brackish and
undrinkable.
IX. Diet and food-supply.—At Rajanpur and Mithankote meat was plentiful, but grain very
expensive, and milk almost unprocurable. The natives of this part of the country are said to have
a prejudice against selling milk, the want of it Was equally felt all along the march; when any
was obtainable the hospital was first supplied. After passing Moondee Khoond on the 8th
December, the entire regiment, kahars and camp-followers, were put on free rations. At first
the regimental grass-cutters were not granted this indulgence, but after some time and repeated
representating they were included. The men as a rule could not eat their full ration of atta ;
the kahars took it when given free, but when asked to pay for it said they could only eat ¾ seer.
All complained of the sameness of the food from day to day, and begged that rice might
occasionally be substituted for atta; but very seldom was there any rice to issue. The dhal
was of an inferior description, and whether from this cause, or as some said from the bad. water,
it never would boil soft; to this and the brackish water almost all attributed the prevalence of
bowel complaints. The men took advantage of all opportunities of supplementing the Govern-
ment rations with meat and fresh vegetables, but these very seldom presented themselves.
The men were very anxious for, and often applied for, a regular daily issue of rum ; but this
was not deemed advisable, and was proved unnecessary. No disease occurred which could have
been attributed to the want of it.
X. Clothing.—Though no allowance was specially ordered, the following is a very correct
inventory of each man's kit :—Bedding,—1 durree, 1 gudda, 1 wadded razai ; clothing,—1 over-
coat, 1 blue-cloth uniform coat, 1 loongee, pyjamas and kumurbund, 1 khakie drill suit, 1 pair
of long boots, native shoes and putties, 1 wadded mirzai, a jersey, 2 pairs of woollen socks; in
addition each had a haversack, a water-tin, and a suit of native clothes. The advantage of two
distinct uniforms on service was not very apparent, the differences between the warmth of the
cloth drill coats is slight, and could easily be compensated for by a warm mirzai under the drill.
The long boots are most unserviceable, and would very soon have become perfectly useless had
the men been obliged to save their horses by walking portions of the march. Shoes and putties
are much better adapted for service, but something better is required than the native shoe, on
which a spur cannot be worn, the result not unfrequently was, a single man ordered on duty
could not get his horse to leave the lines. The putties were originally of various shades, but
have been dyed a uniform blue like the 19th Bengal Lancers. Pugrees do not appear suitable for
European officers, as shown by their discarding them, and wearing sola topees during the heat
and glare of the day. All camp-followers were inspected before marching to see that their
clothing was adequate. Government issued to the hospital establishment and kahars 1 double
blanket coat, 1 blanket, 1 pair putties, and shoes and a sword, the last was always an encum-
brance and such an old useless weapon that it never could have been of any possible service.
At Dadur the kahars were given an additional blanket or a waterproof sheet.
XIV. Hospital. —On leaving Mooltan there were 6 doolies, 37 bearers, and 1 banghy-
bearer. The establishment was eventually brought up to 6 doolies, 34 dandies, 179 bearers,
and I banghy-bearer. The dandies were of the common old durree pattern, of a very inferior
description and always breaking ; kajawas were not tried. A " chagul" (or small leather
mussuck) was issued with each dooly and dandy, but very few of them were of any use, they
leaked so much.
V. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment :—
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
Hospital.
Clothing.
Diet and food-
supply.
Water-supply.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Present
.
. .
.
.
. . .
. . . 408.24
Absent
.
.
. .
.
. . .
.
. .
46.43
Total .
. 4 5 4 . 6 7