xi
the purpose of ablution (lota water), runs down over the floor through the opening
the back of the wall and dribbles over the brickwork, which latter, in the
course of a few months, becomes so completely saturated that it is impossible to
keep the latrines in a proper state, so that with the slightest breeze from windward
they become a constant nuisance to the camp.
The 7th N. I. at Bhooj have pukha-built stone latrines; the stone, however,
is not obtainable at all stations, but I think the nuisance might be diminished to a
very considerable degree, as suggested by the Medical Officer of the 25th N. I.
at Aden, by having a small drain leading from each of the stones on which the
pans are placed to a large drain runing along the back of the latrine with a
sufficient fall to empty itself into some receptacle placed at one end, which might
be emptied daily. With reference to this point I would invite attention to the
remarks on conservancy by Surgeon-Major Heffernan, 25th N. I. at Aden, and
Surgeon-Major Barry, 2nd Light Cavalry, Poona. At Ahmedabad also the latrines
of the 15th N. I. are reported to be unpaved. In the cavalry lines of the Poona
Horse at Siroor "the system of shallow pits with drains leading off the fluid
excreta in each house is still in vogue," and the fluid excreta from each house is
run to the root of a tree planted outside each house enclosure, which enclosure,
with its latrine and surface drainage, is inspected once a week. In the 2nd Sind
Horse the dry-earth system is carried as far as possible.
21. Water-supply is mostly obtained from wells, Which are situated usually
one between every two lines, and the reports of the
water-supply are on the Whole satisfactory. The
opinions of the Medical Officers; however, are not formed from any analyses of
the water (except in the case of the water at Siroor, of which two analyses are to
be found in Surgeon Stewart's report of the Poona Horse), but on the general
appearance and taste. At Nusseerabad the wells yield slightly brackish water,
and have to be supplemented by about 394 gallons from the Dilwarra well,
three miles from the cantonment. The Medical Officer of the 8th Regiment N. I.
r eports that the water is hard and brackish, and in the hot weather, on account
of the scarcity, it has to be brought from a well some distance. The water was
analysed by the Government Travelling Analyst.
At Mehidpoor the water is indifferent most of the year, and very bad in the
hot weather; it is obtained from three wells and the River Sepra.
The native infantry lines at Hydrabad are supplied by the river Indus, the
water of which is pumped up to the cantonments by steam-power.
At Jacobabad itself the water is good, but is bad at the outposts, causing
dysentery and diarrhœa; Sooie and Gharanasi are the worst in this respect.
At Aden the water-supply is bad, and brackish water has to be used for
washing purposes, and condensed water for drinking. Two gallons of condensed
and three of brackish are allowed a day to every fighting man, but followers are only
allowed one gallon of condensed and two of brackish, and the families of followers
receive none at all. The quantity for fighting men is sufficient, unless they are
married, when one gallon more of each kind is required. The condensed water
is well known to be a cause of stomach derangements and bowel complaints, and it
would be a great boon to the station if Government could supply some means
to remove the flat, heavy condition of the condensed water. The state of the
drinking water at Aden must be an important element, amongst others, which
deteriorates the health of the troops there.
Most of the wells belonging to the native infantry lines in the Presidency are
uncovered and liable to organic contamination, especially those overhung by
trees.
22. The sepoy, who obtains his own food from the bazaar, lives, according to
his caste, on the different grains of the country, supple-
menting it in some cases with meat, and to enable him
to provide himself with a sufficiency in times of scarcity, he receives compensation
Water-supply.
Food.