21
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
POONA DIVISION.
Average strength present during the year . . .
8 , 1 4 5 . 9
Average daily sick per cent. to the average strength . . .
2.8
Ratio of mortality per cent. to the average strength . . .
0.5
H. M.'s 1st Regiment Light Cavalry.
POONA.—In medical charge of Surgeon McALISTER; Strength, 301.6
1. The regiment went on the 8th of October to Bombay, where it did duty connected
with the visit of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, and returned to
Poona on the 11th December. The 1st Squadron proceeded
to Baroda by rail on the 20th January.
2. It is seldom that we have had to record such a succession of wet as fell, more
especially during the first three weeks of August last, and
which came in such quantities as to cause floods of water to
collect in many parts of camp. It was found necessary to run deep surface drains in the
direction of the river to relieve the camp of this accumulated water.
3. The natural drainage is by no means what a casual inspection of the situation would
lead one to expect. The superficial deposits of soil, with the substratum of moorum intermix
-
ed with a small proportion of clay, render percolation down to the laterite very slow; hence,
where the surface drainage is not good, the storm water, after heavy rains like what we had
during last wet season, remains in pools for several days. The only chance of escape in
certain places for the water which fell in August and September last, was by evaporation.
The effect of this condition of the ground upon the healthfulness of the regiment was seen
in the prevalence of ague of rather a severe type, and most of the other ailments treated
then were complicated with malarial manifestations. At the same time all the European
officers, without exception, suffered from a grave form of ague in common with the men.
Indeed, one European officer almost succumbed to a severe attack of remittent fever. Then,
also, among the families and regimental followers malarial complaints were painfully preva
-
lent, and it was evident that some exciting cause was at work which had not previously
existed. That this cause was some telluric emanation assuming miasmatic form and character,
is readily conceived. As soon as this state of things was reported to the cantonment author
- i t i e s , t h e y a t o n c e h a d t h e t h e n e x i s t i n g d r a i n s c l e a r e d o u t a n d e n l a r g e d , a n d n e w o n e s
excavated wherever such was considered necessary. The sanitary condition of the ground in
and about our camp continues to be most satisfactory; but it is the unanimous opinion of all
who have given the matter consideration that the erection of new syce lines would give the
cavalry camp great hygienic advantages.
Location and Movement of Corps.
Effects of Climate.
Conservancy and Sanitary Ar
-rangements.
4. The sanitary administration of the lines was thoroughly
maintained throughout the year.
5. At present there are two sources of water-supply in the lines, viz., wells and water
-
works; the water from both these sources is pure and abun
-
dant. Until within the last twelve months the drinking
water of the camp was furnished entirely by two wells. Even at the present time a consi
-
derable portion of the water daily used, is obtained from this source, and is issued to the
sowars by regimental bheesties. The service of the water-works requires three additional
stand-pipes to render it complete. It seems desirable for several reasons to maintain the
permanency of the wells, and chiefly in the event of the aqueducts being interrupted and the
population reduced to have recourse again to wells for its water-supply. The water from
the wells and stand-pipe, so far as can be ascertained by the means at hand, is free from
any appreciable amount of organic matter.
B 66—j
Water-supply.