86
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
The head-quarters of the regiment remained at Jacobabad until the 27th October, on
which date they marched upon Mittri, in Beloochistan, accom
-
plishing the journey in six marches. Thirty-one sabres, under
command of a European officer, proceeded to Quetta from Mittri in charge of treasure on
the 4th of December, and returned on the 22nd.
2. The permanent lines at Jacobabad have been described in previous reports. The
standing camp at Mittri is pitched on a level piece of ground
on the right bank of the river Nara, and about three-quarters of
a mile to the north of the village of Mittri. The surrounding country is almost a dead level,
with very scanty vegetation, such as is usually met with in the frontier districts of Upper
Sind. The troops are living under canvas. There are sixteen tents for the native officers,—
each of these tents has a superficial area of 140 square feet; and there are 171 tents for the
sowars, each of which has a superficial area of 108 square feet, and is occupied by two men.
These tents afford ample accommodation, and protect them sufficiently on the line of march
against the inclemency of the weather during the cold season. It is doubtful, however,.
whether men could live under canvas in the plains of Beloochistan during the hot mouths
with impunity.
3. The trench system of conservancy is successfully carried out. There are seven
trenches parallel to each other, situated about fifty yards on the
right flank of camp. Each trench is subdivided into separate
compartments by matting, so as to afford a certain amount of seclusion. There are twelve
sweepers regimentally employed, of whom one is kept continually at work during the day
at the trenches for the purpose of covering the excreta with dry earth. This system is
found to answer admirably.
4. The water supply is obtained from the Nara, a mountain torrent which has its source
in the Murree hills, and runs through Seehee in the borders of
Beloochistan, and skirts the village of Mittri, and then, taking
a south-westerly direction, is lost in the plains of Outchee. This stream is generally very
low, with a sluggish current, rendering it fordable for men and cattle except after heavy
rains. The water of the Nara is usually muddy, especially so after rain, but clears on stand
-
ing, and by means of an ordinary filter the water may be rendered clear and palatable.
5. Food is plentiful and of good quality, but almost every article comes from Bagh
and Dadur, brought hither by Baniahs who have set up shops
in camp. Food is consequently somewhat dearer in price
than at Jacobabad. With reference to the clothing of the sowar on field service in Beloo
-
chistan, the following defects and deficiencies deserve immediate attention. The present
kind of trowsers, made of cotton cloth (doosootie), is not suited for cold-weather wear. It
is well suited for hot-weather use, when the temperature ranges between 80° and 104° in
the shade, and it is hardly reasonable to suppose that the same material would answer in the
cold weather on field service, when the temperature is frequently below freezing point, with a
cold biting wind generally blowing during the night. I would recommend the adoption of
trowsers made of some warm material for cold-weather use, and to be worn when the
cloth tunic and neemchas are worn. I am also of opinion that woollen socks should be issued
to the men for usé in the cold weather, and warm gloves in addition When on picquet or
guard duty. It is well known that the constitutions of the men in the Sind Frontier Force
are so impregnated with malaria, from long exposure to this poison, that they are, as a
rule, ill suited to withstand the rigour of intense cold, such as is experienced in the winter
months in Beloochistan. This fact adds greater importance to the subject of suitable clothing
during the cold weather, and in the absence of these it becomes a serious matter for reflection
whether the maximum amount of efficiency would be attained by the men composing this
force, in the event of a campaign during the winter months on and beyond this frontier. Nor
is the present head-dress a suitable covering for the head : it affords neither sufficient
protection against the sun in the hot weather, nor against the cold in the winter. Apart from
this it has another disadvantage, inasmuch as it is not a sufficient safeguard against a sword
-
cut. In other words, the present head-dress is to a model pugree, such as that worn by
Pathans, what a forage cap is to a helmet. For these reasons, I beg to recommend that the
head-dress be so modified that, while it will afford sufficient protection against heat in
summer and cold in winter, it will at the same time afford protection, to a certain extent,
against sword-cuts.
Location and movements.
The Lines and their surroundings.
Conservancy.
Water supply.
Food and clothing.
Duties.
6. Duties consist of the usual amount of drills and parades
these supply all the regular exercise which the men get.