27
NORTHERN DISTRICT.
bank of the Mahanuddy adjoining the station and regimental lines ; on same side is the
regimental bazaar ; to the westward of the cantonment road is the general parade ground, the
Protestant Church, and ruins of the fort, of which nothing now remains but an entrance
gate and a raised mound in the centre. There are within a few buildings used as magazine
stores, also the station gymnasium, billiard-rooms, and racket court. A deep ditch surrounds
the fort, which gets filled during the rains, and during the hot weather partially dry up,
and from the constant growth and decay of rank vegetation it gives forth most offensive
odors. It is being gradually filled in. Adjoining is the small parade ground, a space about
302 yards long, 132 yards wide, running east and west. To the south of this is the regi-
mental hospital, and immediately on its front are two large tanks, each measuring 230 feet
long, 220 feet wide, and in depth about 20 feet. These have constantly been condemned
by Medical officers, as being injurious to the sick on account of their close proximity. I
experienced what they were during last hot weather, and can confirm their statement ;
for at a time their smell was most sickening. However by keeping them cleaned of all
vegetation the evil was reduced to a minimum. The town contains about 80,000 inhabi-
tants ; is irregularly built ; has many large buildings, dwellings of natives, besides pagodas
and a number of fetid stinking tanks ; the streets are generally narrow, and as far as I can
see there is very little attention paid to sanitary matters.
There are many buildings of public utility, such as the Commissioners and Collectors'
Cutcherries, the Judge's Court, Jail, Lunatic Asylum, Normal School, Baptist Mission Schools,
and Civil Hospital.
Climate .—The climate of Cuttack has been on the whole healthy during the year. The
cold weather of January and February was occasionally somewhat unpleasant on account
of dense fogs which generally made their appearance towards morning time. The hot
season began early in March ; during the latter end of April, May, and June, till the rains
began, the heat was excessive. I have heard from old residents that they never experienced
any thing like it before. The rains commenced almost at the end of June, and continued with
almost unprecedented violence until late in October, during that time some abdominal
catarrhal and feverish affections appeared. The cold weather set in soon after the rains
ceased, and with it catarrhs. In fact the three seasons which are observed far exceeded any
thing which has been seen here for a long time before. The heat, rains, and cold, all being
severe in their way : barometrical observations and rainfall have not been taken for want
of instruments.
Climate.
There are no barracks. The hospital is a pucka building, with thatched roof ; is well
raised and situated to the south of regimental lines, capable of containing 27 men ; is well
drained and ventilated : 1,988 is the average monthly cubic space to each man.
The guard-rooms, two in number, one, the quarter-guard, is bomb-proof building with a
surrounding verandah ; is also to the south of the lines ; is well ventilated : the rear guard,
a bomb-proof building to the north of the lines, is also in good repair.
The stands for arms, ten in number, are to the south of the lines, and in immediate
proximity to them ; they are bomb-proof.
Solitary cells, three in number, are situated within the fort, they are on raised ground
and in good condition ; Small-pox hospital, also in fort, is cutcha building with thatched roof,
and is well ventilated.
Sheds for cleaning arms, one for each wing to the south of the lines, are well adapted.
All these buildings are kept clean within and without, and the walls have been sufficiently
lime-washed during the year.
The latrines, both hospital and regimental, are in good condition. They are emptied
by hand every morning.
Country vegetables are got in abundance, and are beneficial in their effects on the men.
Clothing is sufficient, but I think not well adapted, i. e ., the tunic is a most uncomfortable
garment for the sepoys to wear. I would suggest the substitution of a loose jacket, which,
as regards appearance, would be much prettier, besides being comfortable. The topee worn
by the corps affords not the slightest protection, and urgently calls for replacement by one at
least suited to the climate. Of the boots worn, I think it sufficient to say, that in my opinion
nothing could be better adapted to incapacitate the men. I am only astonished at how they
are worn on even the slightest duties, roughly made of badly prepared stinking leather and
worn without stockings, or cloths of any kind on the feet. It is needless to say that in a
short time they get in a most filthy state. Foot-soreness is constantly occurring. I imagine
a sandal of some sort could be substituted without, in any way, taking from the soldierly
appearance of the men, and would be besides a remedy in a great measure for foot-soreness.
The duty performed are of the usual routine kind. They do not act in any way injuri
-ously. Drills take place in the hot weather from 5-15 to 6-15 A.M., and in the cold from 5-45
to 7 A.M. and 6-30 to 8 A.M.
Number of nights in bed, 6 to 1 on duty. There is a gymnasium, where some of the
younger men amuse themselves, and is decidedly conducive to health.