51
NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
2. The lines have been already condemned two or three times by committees, as old,
dilapidated, and past repair. The huts have no plinths, and
the floors are below the level of the surrounding ground. The
roofs are tiled, and many of them leak, and the huts were very
damp during the rains. The ventilation is natural, viz. through
doors and the roofs. The drainage of the lines and cantonment is surface. The huts are
shaded by numerous fine trees. The bazaar is only about 300 yards distant from the lines;
its sanitary condition is satisfactory. New lines are most urgently needed.
3 . T h e t r e n c h s y s t e m o f l a t r i n e i s u s e d . T h e l a t r i n e s a r e t w o i n n u m b e r , o n e f o r e a c h
sex; they are situated in the sandy bed of the river in the dry
weather, and on the river bank in the wet weather. This sys
- t e m o f c o n s e r v a n c y s e e m s w e l l s u i t e d t o t h e l o c a l i t y . T h e l i n e s a r e a l w a y s k e p t v e r y c l e a n .
4 . T h e r e a r e s i x w e l l s i n t h e l i n e s , o n e i n t h e h o s p i t a l c o m p o u n d ; o n e o f t h e w e l l s i n
the lines, which is set aside for low caste men, is not covered
in. This is very objectionable, as there is generally some
organic matter undergoing decomposition in the water. The quantity and quality of water
is abundant and good.
5 . T h e f o o d i s f a i r l y c h e a p a n d g o o d . A s r e g a r d s c l o t h i n g , a l i g h t e r d r e s s f o r t h e
sepoy when on duty in the hot weather is very much needed;
also some improvement I think ought to be made as regards their
boots. Most of the sepoys wear no socks, their boots are ill-fitting, and the consequence is,
that many men come into hospital suffering from shoe-bite.
6 . T h e o r d i n a r y g a r r i s o n d u t i e s a n d e s c o r t p a r t i e s , p a r a d e s , a n d d r i l l s g i v e t h e m e n
plenty of exercise; the men also go through a gymnastic course,
and some also compete for prizes in running, &c. Neither the
duties nor exercise appear to have any prejudicial effect on the
men's health.
7. The hospital is well situated, clean, and in fair repair; its immediate surroundings
are the subsidiary buildings for the hospital establishment and
Subordinate Medical Department, two contagious diseases
wards, a dead-house, and a latrine. The latter is built of
masonry and is kept clean by hospital sweepers, who remove
the excreta into covered receptacles, which are taken away at night in conservancy carts,
beyond camp limits. The hospital affords ample accommodation for the sick; there has been
no over-crowding. Ventilation is secured through apertures in the roof and near the ground,
as also through opposite doors and windows. The water-supply obtained from a well in the
hospital compound is good and abundant.
The lines and their surround
-ings; present condition, hygienic
and otherwise.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
Food and clothing.
Duties, exercise, and amuse
-ments; their effects on health.
Hospital and its immediate
surroundings; present condi
-tion, hygienic and otherwise.
General health and physique.
8. The general health on the whole has been very fair;
the physique of the men is fairly good.
9. Climatic influence on health will be seen by looking at the following table, made
out from observations on temperature and rainfall recorded,
and from the register of sick:—
Months.
Rainfall.
Temperature in shade.
Percentage
of sick to
strength.
Average Strength.
Inches. Cents.
Max. Mean.
Min.
January . . .
. . .
. . .
91
78
58
26.1
February . . .
. . .
. . .
93
79
70
10.8
March . . .
. . .
. . .
96
87
72
7.8
April . . .
. . .
. . .
99
92
70
9.5
May . . .
. . .
. . .
105
95
82
11.5
June . . .
3
99
102
97
90
14.3
605.5
July . . .
1
79
92
87
81
11.5
August . . .
18
42
90
82
78
13.4
September . . .
1
75
87
81
78
11.0
October . . .
. . .
. . .
89
81
70
11.7
November . . .
. . .
. . .
81
71
53
15.6
December . . .
. . .
. . .
73
68
56
7.3
Influence of climate or local
circumstances on health.