viii
23. Water is said to have been, with few exceptions, good and abundant.
At Mehidpore and Neemuch, however, it has been
scarce, and at the former station of indifferent quality.
At Kurrachee and Jacobabad the water, though sufficient in quantity, is far from
pure. Notwithstanding the short rainfall of 1876, none of the medical officers
in the Poona Division complain of any particular deficiency of supply having
occurred, even during the hot weather. Although the wells may not have dried
up, except in very few instances, they must, in the nature of things, have been
lower than usual, and it can hardly be doubted that this circumstance was in
some way concerned with the greater prevalence of guinea-worm amongst the
troops in the Poona Division. The measures about to be taken for the
improvement of the water supply at Asseerghur will, I trust, result in the final
settlement of a matter which for some years past has given rise to a vast deal of
trouble.
24. Although the cost of food was everywhere much greater than usual,
reaching famine rates in the Deccan stations, there
has in no instance been any difficulty in obtaining a suffi
-
cient supply. The quality has been good, except in the Poona Division, where
large quantities of damaged grain were brought on the market. Here, in spite
of the large amount of grain compensation allowed, men with large families
were more or less pinched; and in consequence of this, and from the sepoys
having been induced, by the lower rate at which it was offered, to purchase the
spoiled and inferior grain to a considerable extent, bowel diseases, especially
diarrhœa and dyspepsia, naturally became more prevalent. The same cause
has also operated to a slight degree in temporarily reducing the standard of
general health and physique of the troops stationed in the districts affected by
the recent famine. The want of fresh vegetables, or an efficient substitute, is
still felt at Aden. Since the malarious outpost of Barda Chowki was relinquished
scurvy has been less prevalent at Rajkot, but the disease will not be entirely got
rid of till a proper supply of green vegetable food is provided.
25. The remarks and suggestions made by the medical officer of the 2nd Sind.
Horse, at page 86, on the clothing of the Sind Frontier
Force deserve the earnest attention of Government.
As regards the question of warm under-clothing for the army in general, I can
but repeat the opinion expressed in paragraph 26 of last year's report. It is
to be hoped that the adoption of sandals in place of the present clumsy and ill-
fitting boots will soon render the annual loss of strength from contused and
blistered feet a thing of the past. There can surely be no valid reason why
neat sandals should be looked upon as unsightly. Let them, however, be
regarded so or not, their use would certainly add much to the comfort and
efficiency of the sepoy, and reduce to a minimum the numbers treated for
injury.
2 6 . T h e d u t i e s o f t h e t r o o p s i n p o r t i o n s o f t h e f a m i n e d i s t r i c t s , i n t h e w a y
of guards, escorts, &c., were increased to a moderate
extent, but no ill result followed.
27. With respect to the majority of the regimental hospitals favourable re
-
ports have been received. Except in very few instances,
and these from temporary causes, the accommodation has
been sufficient. New hospitals have not yet been provided for Sirur and Satara,
although the building at the former station has long since been condemned, and
that at the latter is a hired house in the bazar. Now that a full regiment
instead of a wing is stationed at Malligaum, it will be necessary to increase the
hospital accommodation there. At Jacobabad an additional ward has been
erected for the 1st Sind Horse, and a new hospital is in progress for the 3rd
Sind Horse. It is to be hoped that these structures, designed on an improved
plan, will help in some degree to remedy the unfavourable conditions as regards
hospitals so frequently complained of at this station.
Water Supply.
Food.
Clothing.
Duties.
Hospitals.