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built in 1875, but many stations are still badly in want of new lines. At Assirgarh
new lines have been sanctioned, but the lines of the 13th N. I. at Mhow are
reported as being so dilapidated that they are apparently about to fall. At Deesa,
where the 26th were stationed, they are old, dilapidated, and past repair, and
have been already condemned twice or thrice; they have no plinths, and the
floor is below the level of the surrounding ground. The lines of the 7th N. I.
at Bhooj are bad, but it is stated that orders have been issued for them to be
rebuilt.
The roofs of several of the lines leak in the rains, and those of the 20th N. I.
at Baroda and the 2nd Light Cavalry at Poona were flooded in the rains, the
former on account of the insufficient depth of the drain running from the north-
west corner, and the latter owing to an insufficient fall to insure a flow in the
drain. To remedy this the Officer Commanding (Colonel Macnaughten) had
moorum laid down and a stone surface drain built with a small brick reservoir
at the end, which was sunk below the ground level.
As regards the cavalry lines, the small walled-in enclosures in front of each
hut are universally condemned as being merely cloaks for dirty habits. It would
seem advisable, if they cannot easily be dispensed with on account of the preju-
dices of the particular caste of natives who enlist in these regiments, that they
should at least be inspected and cleaned out once or twice a week, as is done in
the Poona Horse.
Drainage to prevent the sullage of the horses, which are picketed between
the lines, soaking into the ground, would also be very beneficial, and might be
carried out at a small expense.
20. The trench system is used in many of the native lines where it is possible,
but latrines on the standard plan are far more common.
In both, the distance the men have to go from their
lines is a great drawback, as it is difficult to enforce the use of them on all occa-
sions on the women and children, who frequently make use of the lines or their
own huts. At night, too, it is well known that the men will not take the trouble
to walk to the latrines. Dirty naturally in their habits and education, they
cannot be expected to appreciate the benefits conferred on them by civilization.
The nuisance that consequently follows in the lines might be partially prevented
by having urinals in the lines, as has already been done at Nusseerabad, where the
2nd Grenadiers were stationed. The Medical Officer states that there are six
urinals with masonry beds in the lines for the men; dry sand is used in these
and changed twice daily. This is an excellent plan, and one that will not only
improve the general conservancy of the line, but also contribute largely to the
comfort of the men.
The use of trenches is favourably reported on by all the Medical Officers of
stations where they are in use, and it would appear that, when practicable, this
is the best system to use, provided, however, that the trenches are supplemented
by latrines to be used in the rains. At Ahmednugger the Medical Officer of the 23rd
N. L. I. reports that "from the position of the lines and nature of the soil in camp
it would be impossible to use trench latrines," and the Medical Officer of the 20th
Regiment at Baroda states that in consequence of the scarcity of suitable ground
the regiment has reverted to the use of pukha-built latrines, the expense having
been defrayed during a portion of the year by contributions from the men
themselves. The latrines themselves, which are built on what is known as the
standard plan, are most objectionable. They are built of brickwork with partition
of the same material and with an earthen rough stone floor raised a foot or more
above the ground; in these are placed so many wooden or iron pans, generally
of a square shape, which are drawn out through an opening in the back wall
once or twice a day; the stone on which they are placed is rough, laid level,
and without any drain in it, the consequence is that the urine, which men do not
take the trouble to pass in the pan, together with the water which natives use for
Conservancy.