44
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
Bellary.
1871.
1872.
Death by cholera
...
...
...
...
...
71
Nil.
Do. small-pox
...
...
...
904
2,485
Do. fevers
....
...
...
...
... 8,237
8,642
Do. bowel complaints ...
...
...
...
... 1,606
1,776
Do. injuries, &c.
...
...
...
...
...
694
596
Do. all other causes ...
...
...
...
... 11,520
16,353
Do. all causes...
...
...
... 23,032
29,852
Cuddapah.
Deaths by cholera
...
...
...
...
...
...
957
Nil.
Do. small-pox ...
...
...
...
...
786
660
Do. fevers
...
...
...
...
...
14,093
12,676
Do. bowel complaints ...
...
...
...
804
712
Do. injuries
...
...
...
...
...
...
829
735
Do. all other causes ...
...
...
...
3,173
3,208
Do. all causes...
...
...
...
...
... 20,642
17,991
Kurnool.
Deaths by cholera
...
...
...
...
...
18
129
Do. small-pox ......
...
...
..
...
749
1,108
Do. fevers
...
...
...
...
... 9,581
11,406
Do. bowel complaints ......
...
...
...
387
723
Do.
injuries, &c.......
...
559
499
Do. all other causes
...
...
...
. . .
1,948
2,558
Do all causes ...
...
...
...
...
. . .
13,242
16,423
The per mile ratios of mortality to population in these districts for 1871 and 1872 is
as follows :—
1871.
1872.
Bellary
...
...
...
...
...
...
18.12
22.87
Cuddapah
...
...
...
...
...
...
18.03
13.22
Kurnool
...
...
...
...
17.17
17.10
In Bellary, then, there is an increase in the death ratio, in Cuddapah a decrease, while
in Kurnool it is the same in both years. It is not possible to say how far these results are
affected by the figures accepted as representing the population in the two years and how
far by actual mortality. In both years the figures are doubtless much below the actual
death-rates. In the Bellary District small-pox mortality during 1872 was much in excess
of that recorded in 1871, and slightly so in the Kurnool District. Fever mortality was
rather higher in the Bellary and Kurnool Districts, but lower in the Cuddapah District
than in the previous year.
In the present unsatisfactory state of registration, it is impossible to make any further
analysis of the returns.
Registration of births is still more defective and unreliable.
SANITARY—GENERAL.
Cantonments.
Drainage and
sewerage.
In the two last reports the progress made in the general sanitation of cantonments
was touched upon, and in the report for 1870, more especially the general conditions of the
lines of native regiments were described, and not in very commendable terms.
Cantonments .—As regards cantonments no doubt much is being done under municipal
action, though it will take years—may I not say generations—to carry out all the measures
considered necessary in Europe to proper sanitation of cities and towns—measures which are
at present in India surrounded with difficulties, as much the result of want of funds, as of
the scruples and prejudices of the native community . , which prejudices are, I think, already
giving way in the large towns under municipal control.
Drainage and sewerage .—Drainage and sewerage of towns upon the European system,
except in the case of the Presidency towns, will possibly never be undertaken, simply
because Municipal Funds will not admit of such costly works, while Imperial Funds are not
likely to contribute towards them. All that can be hoped for is drainage and sewerage
combined in one and the same system of open drains, the best kind of which are the
V-section stone drains, made of the laminated rocks of the country, cemented at the joints
by hydraulic cement. This system of drainage is gradually being extended at Bangalore,
which is even now one of the, if not the best, drained town in Southern India.
Bellary is not so advanced; does not in fact offer the same facilities for good drainage.
But considerable improvement in this respect is possible and necessary. At my late