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numerous. Cholera is one of the prevailing diseases of the district, as also
intermittent fever.
Midnapur.—The sub-soil water level is from 40 to 60 feet below the
surface. Cholera prevailed epidemically in the district throughout the year.
The following tabular statement shows the prevalence of the disease monthly,
as reported by the police :—
Statement showing the Number of Attacks and Deaths from Cholera during the year 1868 in, the
Midnapur district.
CHOLERA.
Attacks
Deaths
January
7
7
February
110
91
March
375
277
April
619
461
May
90
77
June
71
59
33
29
August
23
23
September
19
19
October
114
112
November
105
88
December
39
33
Total
1,605
1,273
Cholera visited the district epidemically in every year since 1860, inclusive.
The dates of the appearance of the disease are given as follows for each year
of epidemic prevalence:—In 1860 March and June, 1861 March, 1863 Septem-
ber and October, 1864 February and March, 1866 February and June, 1868
March and April.
Balasore.—The water-supply is from rivers, tanks, and wells. The worst
cholera epidemic that has occured in Balasore for some years was in the early
part of 1866. The disease is epidemic in the district.
Cattack.—The depth of water from the surface varies from 8 to 18
feet, according to season of the year, but in many of the villages skirting
the hills, when the wells are sunk in a substratum of laterite, the water may
be found within from 2 to 1 feet of the surface, according to the time of the
year. Tanks are not numerous, except along the base of the hills, where there
may generally be about four to the square mile. Cholera prevails usually
from May to August.
Puri.—"Wells are seldom dry and are numerous; water is generally
to be had at from 10 to 20 feet. Drinking water is derived from tanks and
wells. Cholera is a constant visitor, and frequently breaks out among the
pilgrim assemblages at the several religious fairs held in this district.
The incidence of the cholera of 1868 among the troops and jails in the
Bengal Province is shown as follows :—
Among the European troops—total average strength 3,624—there were
altogether 17 admissions and 12 deaths from cholera, giving a death-rate of
3·31 per mille of strength. Of the 8 stations occupied by European troops, the
4 following recorded cholera in 1868 :—(exclusive of Chinsura Depôt strength ?
where there were 21 admissions and 17 deaths) :—
Fort William
Barrackpore
Berhampore
Dinapore
... Strength 858
... ,, 441
... ,, 261
... ,, 854
Admissions
5
,, 2
,, 8
,, 3
Deaths
5
,, 1
,, 5
,, 1
The strength of the affected troops is 2,414, the percentage of admissions
to strength 0·70, and of deaths to admission 70. Of the 17 admissions, there
were 3 in March, 1 in April, 2 in May, 3 in June, 5 in July, 1 in August, 1 in
November, and 1 in December.
Among the native troops, total average strength 5,475, there were
altogether 36 admissions and 19 deaths from cholera, giving a death-rate of
3·47 per mille of strength. Of the 11 stations occupied by the native troops,
the six following recorded cholera in 1868 :—
Fort William
Alipore
Dum-Dum
Barrackpore
Dacca
Dinapore
. Strength 620
... ,, 672
... ,, 619
... „
1044
... „
355
... „
660
Admissions
2
,, 15
,, 7
,,
5
,, 6
,, 1
Deaths
2
,, 6
,, 3
,, 4
,, 8
,, 1
F