SKETCH OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BOMBAY.
therefore, a necessary consequence, and, although these are likewise fed by the sub-surface water
stored up from the annual inundation of the river which covers a considerable surface of the
low-lying ground in the neighbourhood, yet, by the beginning of the hot season, this supply is
nearly exhausted; and last year previous to the rising of the Indus, the water in these wells
was not only extremely deficient, but so charged with mud and other impurities as to be scarce-
ly fit for use. As at Kurrachee various plans for obtaining a pure and plentiful supply of water
have been at different times put forward; and when it is remembered that the Indus is within
4 miles, and a branch, the Foolaile, not half that distance, it is a marvel that hitherto nothing
has been done to supply this great want—one that not only presses heavily on the troops in
the station, but likewise on the inhabitants of this the second largest town in Sind.
43. At Jacobabad, on the other hand, the difficulty exists not in obtaining water but in
getting rid of it, as I mentioned in my former report, owing to the station being many feet
below the level of the Indus, and the network of canals and water-courses which intersect the
station and adjoining district, sub-surface water of excellent quality and to an unlimited extent
is readily met with, at a depth of from 15 to 18 feet.
44. The drainage at the stations occupied by the troops in Sind having been noticed
in the previous year's report may be disposed of in a few words. In ordinary years, owing to
the small amount of rain, inconvenience from insufficient drainage is not complained of. But,
in consequence of the unusually heavy fall which occurred last year, a considerable amount of
water accumulated in certain parts within and around cantonments, where the surface of the
ground was too level to admit of its draining away. In Kurrachee the fall was for the most part
sudden and violent, amounting altogether to 8 .20 inches. A good portion of this ran off,
thoroughly cleaning the surface and scouring out the bazar and town: local malaria exists to a
slight extent to the north of the camp, where a good deal of cultivation is carried on; but
from its position and the prevailing winds, it can hardly be reckoned as an element in pro-
ducing sickness in the station. Between the cantonment and the sea, there is to be seen always
at low water, and especially at springtides, many acres of muddy marsh, partially covered with
the mangrove bush. For eight months of the year the sea-breeze blows over this to camp;
but, owing to its being submerged by the sea once in every 12 hours, it exercises no unhealthy
influence on the health of the troops. The temperature for the past year has been moderate.
At Kurrachee the maximum of the thermometer in the air as noticed at the Observatory was
107 .0. This was in the month of September. The minimum which occurred in the month
of January was 54°.
45. At Haidarabad the drainage is greatly favoured by nature. The cantonment stands
on a raised plateau of sandstone and limerock with a top-dressing of sand. From this the
water easily finds its way to the surrounding plain. But last year 8 .63 inches of rain—6 .18 of
which fell in the month of July—were not so readily disposed of. The camp was almost one
sheet of water which took some days to entirely disappear. In my report for 1871 I referred
to the sources of local malaria which is annually generated in the adjacent plain just below
the cantonment, by the overflowing of the Indus. Last year the extent of this marsh was
largely increased by the unusual amount of rain; and to this no doubt is to be attributed
the greater proportion of fever cases which prevailed in the autumn months. It is intended
to fill up by degrees one or more of the shallow tanks which form a portion of this marsh, and
which no doubt would be attended with benefit; but, at the slow rate this is being proceeded
with, it will take years to accomplish; moreover, this would go but a small way in removing
this prolific source of malaria which annually affects the health of the station. The most
effectual and, indeed, only way of dealing with the evil, is to bund out the river, and, also,
by means of sluice-gates, to control the flow of water through canals and cuttings, communicating
with the marshy land. The range in the thermometer has been less than usual for the past
year: 102° was the maximum in the air at 3 P.M., 5° lower than at Kurrachee, and the lowest was
56° at sunrise. But this does not correctly show the minimum; for in the early part of Feb-
ruary the cold was very great on several successive mornings. The trees were blighted by the
frost, and ice was found once in the vicinity of the jail.
46. From what I have mentioned in the earlier part of this report, when alluding to the
inundations at Jacobabad and more especially to the description of the station given in my
previous report for 1871, it will be seen that drainage has no existence. Evaporation and
absorption are the only means known at Jacobabad for getting rid of rain and the Indus
water on the subsidence of the annual inundations. I have been favored with some careful
meteorological observations made at Jacobabad for the year 1872, from which I extract the
following. The two hottest months were May and June, the mean maximum of the thermometer
in the shade being respectively 112° and 119°. The highest reading for the whole year was at
3 P.M. on 6th June, when 124° was registered in the shade. The lowest reading was on the
1st February before sunrise and this gave 31 . 0. The month of January showed the lowest mean
minimum 42.0. The mean variation between the wet and dry bulbs taken at 9 A.M. is instruc-
.
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