Sanitary ar
-rangements.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
Water-supply.
General con
-clusions.
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SOUTHERN DISTRICT.
Climate .—The end of April and early part of May was unusually cool and cloudy,
whilst in the rest of May and part of June the heat was very great and trying; during July
the heat continued very great. August was oppressively hot, September was cool and
pleasant, in October though little rain fell the weather was agreeable. November was cool,
and so was December.
Though Palamcottah does not participate directly in the south-west monsoon, it is indi
-rectly benefited by the cooled air blowing over it from the western ghauts. These cool
breezes occasionally induce catarrhal affections by the sudden changes of temperature pro
-duced.
Diseases of the district .—Intermittent and simple fevers prevail among the ryots at the
end of the rains. Measles, and small-pox also were common, amongst the civil population.
The fevers may be accounted for by the amount of land under wet cultivation. There are
various slight catarrhal affections induced by cold and clamp. Rheumatic affections to a cer
-tain extent, and from the same causes.
Water-supply.—The water-supply during the year has been sufficient for all wants. It
is obtained from well constructed covered wells in the lines, and is of good quality. These
wells are regularly cleaned out, and no recommendations were required.
Climate.
Diseases of
the district.
Water-supply.
Sanitary arrangements .—The sanitary arrangements in the lines are very satisfactorily
attended to. There are no local causes of disease requiring removal.
Diet .—The staple article of food, rice, has averaged 7 Madras measures the rupee,
and the compensation was about rupees 2. Mutton and fowls were cheap, beef was dear,
wheat very dear, but no demand for it.
Vegetables were moderate in price, but not abundant, neither was there any great
variety.
Clothing .—The clothing has been sufficient, adapted to the climate and varied accord
-ing to season of year.
Duty .—About 2 parades in the morning a week, lasting a little over an hour. In the
evenings piquet duties and spade drill with an occasional route march. Then cleaning
arms, sentry duty, &c. During particular months, the men go out by companies, morning
and evening, for ball practice.
They have 6 nights a week in bed; all the above duties are conducive to the health of
the men, and not in any way detrimental.
Drill.—Never exceeds 1 hour morning and evening, i.e., from 6 to 7 A.M. and 5 to
6 P.M., for 5 days a week.
The Recruits always improve in health, while going through their drill, and the health
of soldiers does not in any way suffer. I never had to make any recommendations on the
subject.
Exercises .—There is a Gym-khanna in the lines, resorted to by the young men, the exer
-cise there obtained was beneficial in developing their muscles and expanding their chests.
Drill.
Exercises.
Vaccination .—Vaccination was most carefully practised in the corps by Dr. Morton,
and no deaths have occurred. In a few instances where an imperfect cicatrix was observed,
re-vaccination was tried, but without any result. Only one mild case occurred.
Diseases .—No epidemic of disease occurred during the year. The fevers were all of a
very mild character, and easily accounted for by atmospheric changes, consisting of
Febricula and Intermittent Fever; none of the diseases could be traced to overcrowding or
defective ventilation. The drainage is not defective and the water-supply is comparatively
pure.
Vaccination.
Diseases.
Hospital— The hospital ventilation was perfect. Never overcrowding. Drainage good,
latrines kept in capital order on the coal tar and dry earth system. No representation re
-quired.
Water-supply .—Good and abundant.
General conclusions .—There has been no unusual atmospheric phenomena, and the rain
-fall has been a very little below the average. The cantonment is situated in a healthy site,
and the natural drainage is good.
The soil is dry, and there are no physical features of the country to render the station
unhealthy. The district has been free from any epidemic, and the Intermittent fever as it
occurs there is not of a severe character. The huts in which the men live are well adapted.
to the habits of the people and climate of the country. During the 12 days the Head
Quarters and Wing of the Regiment was on the march during the year it enjoyed cool, dry
weather and a total immunity from dengue, though it marched through a district said to be
infected.
As regards the men's diet, their pay is ample enough to feed them well, but I have
seen some instances where men bad an underfed look, and found that some of them besides
supporting a wife and children, were supporting a mother or a brother, or both. Not having
seen any way of remedying this, I let it alone and only refer to it now in the hope, that
some more sagacious mind may take up the subject.
The Regiment has enjoyed a special immunity from any Epidemic, I have no doubt but
that the special attention paid to the cleanliness of the lines and the early removal of all
Hospital.
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