64
These pools are greatly resorted to by the women of the sections of the city m
which they lie, for washing. The water of the wells over a considerable portion
of the city is brackish, and unfit for domestic use ; those containing sweet water
are situated on the bank of the river along the water-courses, or on the
borders of the pools abovementioned. In the higher part of the city the water
in the wells lies at 50 feet and upwards from the surface of the ground; in the
lower part it varies from 25 and 40 feet in the dry season, to 12 or 20 in the rains.
In the wells along the river and water-courses the level of the water corresponds
with that of the bed of the river or ravines, and in the wells near the large pools
also the water rises as the water in the pools increases. The Nag river is an
insignificant stream, which is dry in the hot weather, and its banks and bed are
habitually polluted. When the porous nature of the strata is considered, there
can be no doubt that all these wells are extremely liable to pollution by perco-
lation into them of water strongly charged with sewage matters.
224. The city has always been subject to frequent visitations of cholera ;
the records of former years are scanty, but they are sufficient to show that from
1860 to 1869 cholera failed to become epidemic in the years 1861 and 1867 only.
The season of its most frequent visitations is from July to September, but in
several years it has appeared as early as February and March ; on these occa-
sions in former years its early appearance was attributed to importation by pil-
grims from the Mabadeo fair ; but even when it has appeared early in the year
its prevalence has apparently always diminished for a time during May and
June.
225 In 1865 its first appearance coincided with the return of the pilgrims
from Mahadeo, in the latter end of February; it ceased for a time in the latter
end of May and beginning of June; it then broke out again, and continued till
September. 287 deaths were returned up to the 10th of April; the returns for
subsequent months are imperfect, but the total number of deaths from cholera
in 1S65 is estimated at from 600 to 800.
226. In 1866 the first case of cholera occurred on the 16th July, and
between this date and the end of September 463 deaths were reported. During
this epidemic a careful inspection of the city was made, and strict enquiries were
instituted into the state of the conservancy in private houses; this was found to
be extremely bad, and the inefficiency was in a great measure due to the great
paucity of persons of the sweeper caste. After consulting with the principal
men of influence it was resolved to import a number of sweepers from elsewhere,
and to organize a regular service for the removal of sewage from private houses,
the cost to be provided by a voluntary rate levied on all latrines. One hundred
sweeper families were imported, and the service organized by the end of 1867.
227. In 1868 cholera became again epidemic; the first case occurred in
the city on the 1st June, the last on the 27th September; but the total number
of deaths amounted to 243 only.
228. In the present year cholera first appeared on the 20th February .
between this and the 25th May 59 deaths were reported; the epidemic then
ceased till the 15th July, when it again showed itself, and up to the end of
August 296 deaths have been reported.
229. Of the 59 deaths that occurred in the early months of the year,
21 were reported during the last week of April. In May the Nag river ran dry
and the pools of surface drainage in various parts of the city dried up; the wells
in their vicinity also very soon failed, and then the Jooma tank and one or two
very deep wells formed the only sources of water-supply for the whole city. The
mass of the population was entirely dependent on the Jooma tank. This tank
is about half mile in length by quarter mile in width, and is faced with stone on
three sides. When full, the depth of water at its lower end is twelve feet in the