from Government for dearness of grain, which in Bombay, the Medical Officer
of the 9th reports, reached at one time as much as Rs. 5. This is a matter of no
importance to the unmarried men, but in the case of a man with a family means
that out of his ordinary pay he has to pay for the additional price of grain for
each member of his family at just the same rate, so that the higher the compen-
sation allowance the poorer he becomes. To pay for his clothing and other neces-
saries he saves the money which should be spent on his food, and being thus
underfed, becomes thin and loses his physique. Many others underfeed themselves
by trying to live on their additional allowance and to save all their pay. Several
Medical Officers have therefore recommended that rations should be universally
supplied to the Native Army, the only place in which this is done at present is
Aden, where free rations are supplied by Government, which consist of wheaten
flour 1 lb., rice 12 oz., ghee 2 ozs., salt ¾ oz., cocum 1 oz., curry stuff 1½ oz.,
vegetables 7 ozs., and firewood 3 lbs. The Medical Officer at Aden states : “The
quantity here is sufficient, but there is a total absence of fresh meat, and the quality
of the vegetables is as a rule very inferior, and the result is, a regiment suffering
from scurvy. As a proof that the vegetable ration is very inferior, I may mention
that during the few so-called cold months, when vegetables could be obtained in
the bazaar at moderate rates and of good quality, there was a decided improvement
in the health of the men with regard to scurvy. There can be no doubt that scurvy
and scorbutic dysentery, which were the chief causes of serious illness during the
year, were entirely due to the character of food issued to the men. Brinjals and
bhendies were the chief vegetables issued, and these indeed contain very little
anti-scorbutic properties.” The Medical Officer suggests the issue of potatoes
with radishes, bajee, and other vegetables of this description. Should this be
carried out, however, it would be advisable to find some means of preventing the
men from selling their rations. The Officer in medical charge of the 1st Light
Cavalry states that the average quantity of food taken by both Mahrattas and
Mussalmans is
Rice ............ 8 oz.
Bread
1½ lbs.
Mutton
4 oz.
Dhal
4 oz.
Mussalmans take more mutton, and others who do not eat rice more bread.
Considering that the ration at Aden is given free by Government, and the
men have occasional opportunities of supplementing it, I am of opinion that it is
sufficient, though doubtless the troops do suffer from scurvy when stationed in
Aden more than in other places.
The regimental bazaar of the 15th N. I. at Ahmedabad seems to have been
useless as regards the purpose for which it was instituted, for the sepoys could
obtain supplies cheaper and better in the city.
23. All officers appear to be agreed on the fact that a loose-fitting blouse or
jacket with knicker-bockers and putties or gaiters is the
best kind of dress for the native soldier. The tunic
issued at present to the sepoys of most regiments is pretty satisfactory when made
loose, but few men wearing the English cloth trousers are comfortable. The most
general complaints are about the socks and boots, no good substitute having yet
been provided. But in the 12th Regiment N. I. at Rajkote two descriptions of
foot rags are under trial instead of socks, the latter being too expensive. In the
22nd Regiment two pairs of socks were issued to each sepoy. On the march from
Poona to Neemuch of the 1st Light Cavalry there were forty-two cases of shoe-
bites ; this is excessive. Sepoys, however, are very averse to wearing socks, and
the complaints about the boots and the hard leather ought probably to be put
down to the bad fit of the boot.
There is no universal covering for the head in the Native Army, some regi-
ments wearing small caps, whilst others wear puggarees; the latter, however, must
Clothing.