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close, and sultry state of the weather, and a constant slight drizzling rain
daily in the month of September ; the almost total absence of heavy falls of
rain, and the high winds and thunder-storms usual at the setting in and break-
ing up of the rains ; and the early cessation of the rains in September. The
chief characteristic of the climate of Birbhum is its extreme dryness, in which
respect it resembles that of the Upper Provinces, but it is neither so hot nor so
cold. * * * During the hot season, however, and beginning of the cold,
outbreaks of cholera frequently occur, * * * and sporadic cases occasionally
occur at other seasons." * * *
Rajmahal.—The sub-soil water is found at an average depth of about
14 feet. The whole of the district is higher than the flood level of the
Ganges. * * * Cholera and fever are the diseases that prevailed epidem-
ically in certain localities during the year 1868. Cholera broke out about the
middle of April and continued to prevail in the district to the end of the year,
a total of 335 deaths from the disease being reported.
Sonthal.—The country is hilly and undulating. The water-supply is
from ponds and reservoirs formed by damming the drainage channels on the
hill slopes for the retention of rainfall. This district is not so malarious as
places in Lower Bengal.
Manbhnm.—The sub-soil water level is between 17 and 18 feet below
the surface. Cholera is almost always hovering about the district, cropping
up now and again at different places. Tanks are numerous.
Singbhum—Was visited by epidemic cholera in 1861 and 1866 ; in the
latter year the disease appeared in March and continued till October. There
was no epidemic cholera in 1868.
HazarIbagh.—The general altitude of the district is 1,900 feet. The
sub-soil water is tapped at an average depth of 21 feet from the surface.
Water for drinking purposes is drawn from wells principally, there are also
numerous tanks. Δ few cases of cholera occurred in the town during part of
April and May 1868. There are no statistics to show the prevalence of the
disease in the district. The elevation of the station of Hazaribagh is about
2,000 feet.
Bhagulpur.—Cholera usually appears about March or April, and in
August. It has appeared in every month. This year, 1868, it only came
in November and December, and in the town it was only slight. The
sub-soil water is reached at from 30 to 40 feet below the surface. The water-
supply is from the Ganges river, wells, and tanks. Cholera may be looked
on fairly as an endemic disease in this town and district, as it comes every year,
and at all seasons of the year (in varying proportions). In 1866 it appeared
first in March, in 1867 in April, and in 1868 in November. There are no
statistics to show the prevalence of the disease or the mortality caused by it.
The police reported a total mortality from cholera in 1868 at only 336, which
the Civil Surgeon says is an absurdly low estimate.
Monghyr —The sub-soil water is found at a depth of about 20 feet
below the surface. The year 1868 was an unusually healthy one in this
district. Cholera prevails to some extent every year in this town and district.
It generally makes its appearance about the end of March, is common during
April, and disappears in May. In years of epidemic prevalence it continues
later.
Gya.—The sub-soil water is usually found at about 20 feet below the
surface, but the depth varies according to locality and season. There are
no canals in the district. Cholera is undoubtedly endemic in the town and
neighbourhood of Gya. In 1866 the disease prevailed epidemically.
Patna.—Here, as elsewhere, we have cholera in the hot months and
during muggy breaks in the rains. * * * Cholera and intermittent fever
are always endemic here, but neither have assumed any alarming proportions
during the last four years.
Tirhoot.— The water-supply is from streams, tanks, and wells. Mala-
rious fevers are said to be endemic, but no mention is made of cholera.
Champaran.—The sub-soil water level during the dry season may
average from 15 to 20 feet from the surface, and from 10 to 15 feet during the
rainy season, Wells are numerous, and usually lined with tiles ; tanks are not