Regim e nta
l lines.
68
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF MADRAS.
The general health of the men appears to me to have fallen off considerably during the
past year. This, I think, may be explained by their altered circumstances. While at Thayet
-myo their diet was good and ample, being rationed by Government. They were well housed,
and duties were light, and the climate did not appear to be in any way injurious. At Banga
-lore, on the contrary, the hutting has been bad, often scarce affording protection; the duties
have been heavy, involving exposure to the cold and damp ; and it is most probable that in
many cases the diet has been insufficient.
There is, however, reason to suppose that, during the current year, the health of the men
may improve. The new huts will be ready for occupation before the monsoon, and most
probably the duty will not be so heavy.
There have been 17 admissions from venereal diseases—nine cases of gonorrhœa and
eight of syphilis in various stages. Several of the latter were of an aggravated nature.
The principal mortality has been from fevers, three of the four deaths being due to this
cause. They will be referred to elsewhere.
The Deputy Surgeon-General of the Circle makes the following observations
as to the results of his inspection of the corps :—
Regimental lines.—The general conservancy and drainage is precisely as formerly
described. The drainage entirely by natural means ; good as regards the lie of the ground,
but bad as regards the drains themselves, which are merely ditches, which work into holes
and hollows, in which sewage lodges to be dissipated only (except during actual rainfall) by
absorption into the soil or evaporation into the air. But since my last report on these
lines, au intercepting masonry drain has been constructed by the Municipality to divert the
sewage and storm water from the neighbouring tank, and convey them into the main drainage
channel of the cantonment bazaar.
But the principal fact to report is, that new lines are under construction for this regi
-ment. The foundations of six rows of huts are laid, the dimensions of huts for the several
ranks being those laid down by regulation for lines of native troops on the standard plan,
by which also the width of streets is regulated. The foundations are laid in stone and mud,
and the huts are to be of sun-burnt brick with tiled roofs. The streets are to be drained
by V-section stone drains, discharging into the large drain already described as bounding
the rear face of the lines. No provision is, I understand, to be made in the courtyards for
the small domestic privies in use with one native troop, but all (males and females) will be
required to resort to the public latrines. I question the policy of interdicting these domestic
conveniences. There are always a considerable number of gosha women and others who
cannot be compelled to resort to public latrines, and I am strongly in favor of allowing private
latrines, conditional upon their being properly constructed and regularly inspected. All that
is necessary is to provide an impervious flooring (and also to the compartments used as
lavatories), and the cheapest at this station is slabs of cut stone with tight joints laid on
sufficient slope to allow of a ready escape to a small drain discharging into the road-side
drains, of all liquid refuse, solid excreta being removed daily by contract. With proper
supervision these places would not become a nuisance, and the provision of them is much
more consonant with the customs of the people than compelling them to resort to public
latrines.
Sanitary con-
dition of all
buildings.
Water-supply
Sanitary condition of all buildings.— There is a double latrine for males and females
in connexion with the right wing lines, and a municipal latrine near the left wing lines.
Both of these are said to be freely resorted to by the male part of the community , and they
are fairly kept on the dry or removal system by contract.
The guard-room is small, only 322 superficial feet. The strength of guard (exclusive
of sentries) is 15, which gives 21 feet per man only. There is an attached prison-room for
defaulters. Both are indifferently ventilated, and the guard-room is very dirty ; but
application was made for its whitewashing three months ago. It needs it much. The
guard-room has been provided with a new latrine just to the rear of the place of arms,
which is well kept on the dry-earth system. All excreta are removed from lines and latrines
on contract.
Water-supply .—The supply of water is derived from wells in the lines and from a
tank in close proximity to them. The wells are marked 16 and 17 in the Water Analyst's
list, and these waters are considered by him to be unfit for drinking purposes. They are
classed under the figures 6, 7, and 8, representing "very indifferent, bad, and very bad.
" I a m n o t a w a r e w h e t h e r t h e t a n k w a t e r ( N o . 3 r e s e r v o i r ) h a s b e e n a n a l y z e d , b u t i t i s c o n s i d e r e d .
good by the men. Indeed, since the heavy rains, the wells have an abundant supply which
the troops consider good.
Duties.
Duties.— The duties at all hours have been very heavy. The nights in bed have often
fallen below three to one on duty, but no clear evidence can be adduced of injurious influence
upon health.