59
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY,
temporary partitions of bamboo matting. I have no doubt a good many of the men prefer
going a little way into the jungle, when they have time, instead of using the latrines.
The number of sweepers employed in carrying out the conservancy work is eight, of
whom four are regimental and four are employed by Government,
4. The supply of water is generally sufficient and of fair quality. Some of the wells
contain hard and brackish water, but these are only used for
water-supply.
washing purposes. In the hot season there is often a scarcity
of water, and it has to be brought from what is called the Rajah's Garden, where there is
a we l l wh i c h h a s a s u p p l y o f wa t e r a l l t h e y e a r r o u n d . T h i s i s a t a c o n s i d e r a b l e d i s t a n c e
from the lines, and not at all convenient for the men. The scheme for supplying Satara
with water from Khas by constructing a dam on the hills across the source of the Urmori
River has not as yet been carried out. The water of the wells used by the troops was lately
analysed by the Government Travelling Analyser, but I have not as yet received his report
as to their qualities. It is commonly considered good.
5. The food used by the sepoys has been much the same as regards price as it has been
for a year or two back. There is plenty to be got in the
Food and clothing.
bazaars, but it does not seem to be much cheaper.
The average price of gram has been about lbs. 121/2 for the rupee; wheaten flour lbs. 101/2,
rice lbs. 9, bajree lbs. 13, dal lbs. 101/2 ighee lbs21/2 salt lbs. 15, firewood lbs. 120, mutton
6 per rupee; and the usual food of the sepoy consists of above, with fish, vegetables, and
onions, chillies, &c. As this season has been a better one for crops generally, prices should
now be lower. As regards clothing, it still remains of the same old pattern. I believe one or
two regiments have been put into a sort of Zouave uniform, but this has not been generally
done, which is a mistake, I think, as the Zouave dress would improve the general appearance
of the sepoy. The boots are also still a source of trouble from causing shoe-bites, and thus
filling the sick list with trifling cases. The men seem when off duty to wear the same sort of
clothing all the year round, and if they were made to have warm under-vests for the rainy
and cold season, it would prevent a good deal of sickness from chest and rheumatic com-
plaints, They should also be made to sleep on a charpoy and not on the ground, as is the
usual custom. As regards their food, I believe many half-starve themselves in order to save
money to send to their relatives, and so render themselves liable to complaints, which, if pro-
perly fed, they would not suffer from.
6. The duties are the ordinary ones. A good deal of extra duty was required during the
, year on account of small parties having to go out to the
Duties exercises, amusements, districts to aid the Civil authorities in hunting down the
&C.
dacoits, who were very troublesome in this district. The men
had on an average about four nights in bed out of the seven during the year, so I do not
suppose the duties can be considered very heavy.
The exercises and amusements are of the usual kind. There is a small, gymkhana for
practising gymnastics, and some do work for the soldiers' exhibition, and there is a school
for the instruction of the children, who do plain and fancy sewing work, as well as learn to
read and write, &c.
7. The sick of the Regiment are still treated in an ordinary bungalow, as the regular
hospital for sepoys is occupied, and has been for years, by the
Hospital and surroundings. sick of the detachment of European troops stationed here.
The present bungalow is better suited for an hospital than the one used last year,. which
vas in the Sudder Bazaar. The sick were removed in October to this one, which is much
better ventilated, has larger rooms, and houses for the hospital servants in the compound,
as well as being much more convenient in every way, although it has of course some
deficiencies, such as store-rooms, dead-house, and cook-room.
The latrines are also not quite what they should be for a hospital, but certainly better
than those formerly used. The building is quite open to the breeze, and there are no build-
ings near to obstruct ventilation. There is still no separate room for the use of the hospital
guard, and the men have to occupy a part of the verandah of the house, and also sleep there,
which is very inconvenient and uncomfortable, both for the guard and the. men under
treatment.
8. The general health of the Regiment has been good during the year, there being
a decrease in the number of malarial fevers and other diseases
General health and physique. as compared with the previous year. There has been no epi-
demic disease, and the deaths have been fewer in number. A good many of the worn-out
and elderly men have been pensioned off, and young men of good physique have been
enlisted in their place. The number of recruits joined during the year was 56, of whom 29
were Mahrattas, 17 Mahomedans, 8 Ramoosees, and 2 Brahmins. The number of men sent
on sick leave was 24, of whom 14 belonged to the detachment at Bombay, 6 to the Asirgarh
detachment, and 4 to the head-quarters at Satara.