NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
95
The sub-soil water-level in the lines is, at all seasons of the year, so far from the surface
as to have little influence on the health of the inhabitants. Ague was most prevalent in June,
when the water was 33 feet from the surface.
3. Are old, and built without plinths on black soil, which retains moisture for a con
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siderable time, and, consequently, they are damp and unhealthy
in the rains. The accommodation during the year was suffi
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cient. The regimental bazaar is kept clean and in a good sanitary state. The men, however,
draw but a very small quantity of their supplies from it, as they can obtain them from the
sudder bazaar, which is quite convenient. The drainage is all surface. A small portion of
cantonment in the immediate vicinity of and to the south of the lines is badly drained,
and on the verge of this is a garden in which weeds and maize vied with each other in the
luxuriance of their growth during the rains. The culvert, which carries the rainfall
across the road from this portion of camp, is not placed at the lowest point, and
as a consequence a considerable quantity of water is left behind to sink into the
ground, which is here fissured in all directions. A new culvert in the proper site
is required, and the patch of underwood, called a garden, should be cleared away. In the
corner of each hut or its verandah is a bathing place made of chunam, and sloping out
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wards. From this a small drain runs out through the wall, and opens, sometimes on
the surface of the street, but very often into a covered up cess-pool. This is in most cases
made use of as a urinal, as well as for carrying off the bathing and other refuse waters, all
which either sink into the streets of the lines or are evaporated at the doors of the huts.
The custom cannot be prohibited until something suitable is provided in its place.
4. The trench system of latrines was used by the Native troops during the greater part
of the year; but in the rains the permanent ones were opened.
The ground space available for this system at Mhow is not
sufficient to carry it out without some danger of water pollu
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tion. The space at the disposal of the 25th Regiment may be said to be about 250 yards
square, having the Satair Nullah to the north, the regimental wells to the south, and the
rifle range and permanent latrines to the west. It is, therefore, very limited, and in a few
years the same ground will have to be used over and over again. Even if the water in the
wells escape contamination, will the soil retain its deodorizing and assimilating powers for an
indefinite period, or will it after a time become saturated and emit noxious gases, as suggest
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ed by Deputy Surgeon-General Wyllie in his report for 1874 ? I am strongly of opinion that
the latter event will take place. I beg most particularly to call attention to the following
fact in connection with trench latrines, which shows them to be very dangerous. In August
last a lady of the regiment in my charge was attacked by cholera. On entering the house,
the front doors of which were open at the time, I perceived a foul sickly odour, which could
not be accounted for. Two medical officers, called in consultation, at once detected it also.
We could not imagine where it came from at first, but on going to the front of the house we
discovered its source. The wind was blowing from the west, and almost due west of the
house i s t he 3rd (K. O. ) Hussars' grass-cut t ers' t rench l at ri ne. Chol era prevai l ed about t he
time amongst the grass-cutters, as I have been since informed. I have no doubt that the
lady's illness was due to breathing the impregnated air from the trench latrine. In addition
to the facts of the system being filthy and more or less dangerous, it does not supply the
want for which it is intended, as, at least, half the men take their lotas and go out into the
nullahs and fields rather than use the place. I think the system thoroughly unsuited to a
large permanent cantonment; and Mhow, where money has been largely expended on palatial
barracks and hospital, is now flanked on all sides by trench latrines.
5. The water-supply, which is derived from wells, is of fair quality, but it was rather
scarce in the hot months. Two temporary dams were thrown
across the Satair Nullah, and by this means a certain amount of
water was retained, which the sepoys used for bathing and washing purposes. It seems
strange that a large and important military station like Mhow should be allowed to go on
year after year, depending on a few wells for its water-supply. The wells are, of course, de
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pendent on the rainfall, and when the latter is scant, the former run dry. The cavalry
and artillery horses have been on more than one occasion sent out of camp on account of
a scarcity of water.
6. The several articles which compose the diet of the sepoy were obtainable at Mhow
in abundance, at moderately cheap rates, and of good quality.
The compensation granted to the men averaged from 1 Rupee
to 1 Rupee 7 annas. Vegetables were more plentiful, and could be procured at cheaper
rates than in 1874. Although good food was obtainable at moderate rates, I suspect many
of the men were underfed, and particularly the recruits. The latter, most of whom are
growing lads, ill-fed, anæmic, and in many cases showing a scorbutic taint, join from their
Lines.
Conservancy and Sanitary Ar
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rangements.
Water-supply.
Food.