roof. The large natural drain or nullah situated between the Infantry barracks
and hospital, into which a considerable portion of the surface drainage runs,
requires to be cleared out, deepened and, if practicable, made pucka. The
Infantry privies, two in number, one at each flank of the barrack buildings, are at a
considerable distance (about 250 yards) from the central block. A light privy of
corrugated iron, suitably paved and ventilated, might, with great advantage and
convenience, be erected near the central rooms. The lavatories in the old barracks
are in a dilapidated condition and are urgently in need of repair or reconstruction.
The reading-room of the new Infantry barracks is scarcely large enough for
the requirements of the troops. The floors in the verandahs of blocks of family
quarters are made of clay. Asphalte or concrete is recommended to be substituted.
Fort Barracks—The Hospital Bungalow used as Quarters for the Troops.— Surface
drainage is much needed all round this building and outhouses. The latrine is
structurally defective and objectionably placed as regards the men's rooms, and it
is recommended that it should be removed altogether. The disused mortuary
could, at small costs, be converted into an excellent privy.
All barrack-rooms, canteens, coffee-shops, lavatories, cook-houses, urinals and
privies are much in need of additional ventilation by ridges and openings in the
walls. The surface drainage around all the buildings is very imperfect.
Station Hospital .—Surface drainage very defective. Rain water issuing from
roof pipes floods and tears up the ground.
No. 1 Ward Lavatory is much in need of additional lighting and ventilation.
The verandah floors of the "detained" and No. 2 Wards are of clay. These
should be concreted. The "Detained Ward" latrine requires additional venti
- l a t i o n b y w i n d o w s a n d r i d g e s a n d i t s f l o o r t o b e c o n c r e t e d . T h e n i g h t - s o i l i s
removed from barracks in imperfectly closed iron receptacles placed on ordinary
rubbish carts. Crowley carts have not yet been provided as the Bombay Govern
- m e n t d o e s n o t c o n s i d e r t h e m s u i t a b l e t o t h e l o c a l c o n d i t i o n o f c a n t o n m e n t i n t h e
Bombay Presidency. Inquiries are being made by Government as to what would be
the best pattern filth-cart to adopt.
Bellary.—Malarial fevers of all kinds are specially prevalent among European
and Native troops. The composition of the ground is a black cotton soil, on which
rests a thick layer of disintegrating primary rock. In the presence of great sun
heat it favors, to an exceptional degree, the development and evolution of malarial
poisons. At this station, as at Secunderabad and Bangalore, the surface drainage
should be carried out in well-laid, properly-pointed surface channels. This, and the
planting of growing trees and shrubs, would largely avail in diminishing the
malarial diseases from which the troops now suffer so much.
The water-supply of the cantonment requires to be put upon a much more
satisfactory basis than at present obtains. Much correspondence has taken place
on this subject, and it is satisfactory to know that a committee has been ordered to
assemble for the purpose of submitting some definite proposals for the improvement
of the water-supply of the cantonment.
Southern District .—The health of the troops at Wellington, Calicut, and
Malapuram has been good and at Cannanore indifferent. During the second
quarter of the year the health at Malapuram was indifferent.
The sanitation of the barrack buildings and hospitals at these stations has
been satisfactory with the following exceptions
: —
At Wellington a lunatic ward attached to the hospital is very much needed.
The Army Hospital Native Corps attendants are not provided with quarters
and are consequently obliged to live at considerable distances from their work.
This is the cause of great inconvenience and affects prejudicially the discipline of
the men.
At Cannanore the lighting of the barracks is reported by Deputy Surgeon
General Farquhar to be defective.
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