Water.
Wells,
H e a t — r a i n f a l l .
Temperature.
88
SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
of fresh vegetables at this season of the year, contributes very largely to produce that scorbutic
cachexia which can be distinctly seen, running like a thread, through all those low and anæmic
forms of disease, that strike down so many of our worst cases towards the close of each year.
It would be well to introduce and encourage the rearing of vegetables at all stations by
the sepoys on small allotments of land, conveniently situate near the lines, in the form of
soldiers own kitchen gardens. The men by this means would have healthy out-door recreation,
and the more important prophylactic usefulness of a fresh vegetable diet ad libitum. I
strongly recommend this measure, it would involve no expense to the Government who might
obtain seeds and issue them at prime cost to the men.
Meat is abundant, but of very poor quality and void of nutrition, and it is a hardship and
an injustice to the native soldier that such poor and expensive meat
should be permitted to be killed or sold in the cantonment bazar.
From enquiries made, it appears that the most emaciated starvelings are selected, first
for the bazar, in order that they may not die a natural death before-
hand and thus be a loss. The most of the well-conditioned animals
being reserved for the Bombay market, the remainder are kept to weather the scarcity of graz--
ing, which the parched plains afford during the hot season, and by the time these are slaughter--
ed, they are as wasted and unnutritious as the first. Even to the European hospital the issue
has been so bad as to have to be condemned by a special board.
Game of most kinds are tolerably plentiful, neilghae, antelope, black-buck and chikara,
bustard, snipe, quail, partridges, hares, and wild fowl abound all over
Guzerat, and fresh water fish can be had all the year round—some
very good, but mostly of a soft muddy inferior flavour.
The water-supply in cantonment is ample for all purposes from numerous wells of
excellent construction, properly guarded by masonry and drainage
channels. There are nine wells for the sole use of the regiment, some
of which are overhung by trees, whose fallen leaves contaminate
them more or less with organic matter, and these should be removed.
The water is bright, sparkling, and pure, and as wholesome as most of the spring-water in the
presidency. It contains a slight excess of chloride of sodium, but not
so much as to affect its suitability as good potable water; yet, not-
withstanding the known purity of this spring-water, a large number of sepoys obtained water
from the Saburmattee river, which is more saline, and the purity of which is most doubtful.
I have endeavoured as much as possible to check the use of the river-
water, but it is difficult to overcome the prejudices of natives. If it
is continued to be used as at present, it is very likely to become a source of disease, for the
reason that all along its course, men, women, and beasts, wash and clean their persons and
their filthy attire in the stream, polluting it proportionately. I have seen sick and con-
valescents from the camp and adjacent villages purifying themselves, and a leper cleansing his
foul ulcers and stained rags in the river. Nothing short of an order
involving punishment for disobedience, will prevent a large use of this
river-water by the native troops, although it is tainted in this dangerous and disgusting
manner . The Saburmuttee is a perpetual stream.
The climate is one of extremes: in summer, from March to June, it is very hot, necessi-
tating punkahs and tatties,and n winter, from November to March,
very cold, requiring the warmest clothing and occasionally fires. In
both seasons it is very dry. This year was characterized by an unusually hot summer and a
remarkably heavy rainfall. The hottest months were March, April,
May, and June; the month of June being hottest in the year, with an
average maximum heat of 105° F. in the shade, within the hospital
building; and an average minimum of 75° F.,the average range of the
thermometer during the month being no less than 30°.
The coldest months were January and February, with a maximum heat of 80° and 88°,
and a minimum of 35° and 33°, respectively, the average range of the thermometer being
about 45°.
The heaviest rainfall in the month of July, 17 inches and 38 cents, fell in the 21 days
that it rained during that month. In August it rained exactly the
same number of days; but it registered only 6 inches and 18 cents.
The total rainfall for the year (1872) amounted to 32 inches 18
cents, which is higher than has occurred for some years past; thus there fell within the area
of cantonment limits alone, no less than 1,541,725,333 imperial gallons of rain, equal to
6 , 8 8 2 , 7 0 2 1 / 3 t o n s i n w e i g h t . T h e r a i n f a l l f o r t h e y e a r s 1 8 6 9 a n d 1 8 7 0 w e r e 2 3 i n c h e s a n d
25 inches 35 cents, respectively.
Meat.
Description—cost.
Game.
Description of quality
River.
How polluted.
Climate.
Amount of Rain