NORTHERN AND MHOW DIVISIONS OF THE ARMY. 6 9
The country immediately surrounding this station is considerably higher than the site
occupied by the station itself, and affords very favourable sites for encamping troops during
epidemics. To the south of camp is a ridge some four miles in length on which are many
spots very well adapted for this purpose; as they are high, perfectly exposed, but little culti
- v a t e d , w i t h a g e n t l e s l o p e w h i c h w o u l d c a u s e p e r f e c t d r a i n a g e a n d w a t e r a t n o g r e a t d i s t a n c e ;
these are situated not more than 3½ miles from camp, and are easily reached in any weather.
Beyond these again in the direction of Jeerum and Giwall, are many places possessing every
necessary qualification for good camping grounds. To the north and north-east of camp, about
f o u r m i l e s a l o n g t h e J a w u d a n d N u s s e e r a b a d r o a d s , a r e s e v e r a l o t h e r s i t e s , a s l i k e w i s e a t a b o u t a
similar distance along the Oodeypore road; but with regard to these latter, the objection of their
being situated in the direction of the old cholera camp of the 45th Regiment might be urged,
though I feel certain that after the lapse of so many years, they are perfectly safe from any fear
of infection. I may here mention that I have myself pointed out all these sites to the Assist
- a n t Q u a r t e r m a s t e r G e n e r a l o f t h i s D i v i s i o n , a n d h e p e r f e c t l y a p p r o v e d o f t h e m a l l .
There is one great want which is very much felt in this place, and that is, a sanitarium
within easy reach of the station. This I consider is perfectly attainable, for at a distance of 12
or 13 miles to the N. E. of camp, is a range of hills some 300 or 400 feet above the surround
-ing country, which I am perfectly convinced might be used for this purpose. No great elevation
is necessary, for during the hot weather months the troops are more healthy than at any other
period, but it is after the rains, from September till December, that the want of such a place is so
much felt. The only thing really necessary is to raise the men above the reach of the malaria
from the plains, and I consider these hills perfectly sufficient for that purpose. I have several
times visited them at that season, and found the climate pleasant and bracing, water is abundant,
more especially at Malana, which I consider to be the spot most suited for such a purpose, as
being more easily reached, the road being fair for carts as far as the foot of the hills. I think the
returns of sick from this place not only of Europeans but also of natives, must show what a boon
a place of this sort would be to all during the months above allued to, and I firmly believe that
many a good servant is lost to Government in these parts, simply from the want of some place
near at hand to which they could be sent for change. The climate of Rajpootana is, I consider,
very trying, not only to Europeans, but also to natives of other parts of Hindoostan, who after
a residence of several years in these parts, have their constitutions very seriously affected by
it. It is not the extreme heat or cold, to both of which we are exposed, but the very rapid
changes from the one to the other which are so prejudicial to health. In no other part of India,
I believe, are these changes so rapid.
The sun during all seasons of the year is most powerful, more especially during the few
months immediately following the rains, at which time, it is more trying on account of the
amount of moisture contained in the atmosphere.
The rainy season, all things considered, is not so unhealthy as might be expected. The
fall varies from 25 inches to 35 inches, or even in some years is as high as 40 inches ; during
the past year it has only amounted to 27 inches. The manner of the fall varies considerably
in different seasons ; at times the whole fall will conic down in five or six heavy storms, as
much as five or six inches falling in the course of the 24 hours, whilst in other seasons the
fall is gradual and distributed pretty evenly over the three months which the rains generally
last, commencing in July, and lasting with occasionally breaks of a fortnight till September,
or even as late as October. During this season the climate is pleasant though at times hot and
steamy, more especially during the breaks in time rains ; but steady south-west winds prevent
the heat being so much felt as it otherwise would be. The water-supply of camp is at present
rather precarious, being for the most part dependent on wells, which may or may hot be pro
- p e r l y f i l l e d d u r i n g t h e r a i n s . S o m e f e w o f t h e s e d e r i v e t h e i r s u p p l y f r o m s p r i n g s , b u t b y f a r
the greater number are entirely dependent for their supply on the subsoil drainage, and this
supply has been rendered much less by the abolishment of a tank which used formerly to exist
18 s