ix
Line-building appears in some cases to tell on the condition of the men,
the ordinary diet being inadequate to meet the waste
caused by this unusual labour ; and I agree, in opinion,
with the medical officers who have recommended that working-pay should be
granted to the men so engaged.
35. The lines everywhere are kept clean, but where the drainage is only
surface it is hardly possible to prevent the soil from
becoming impregnated with impurities. New lines
are to be built in Baroda for the 22nd Regiment N. I. The ventilation in the
2nd and 3rd Regiments Sind Horse lines is said to be defective. Many improve-
ments have been effected in the lines of the 20th N. I. at Bombay. The conser-
vancy and sanitary arrangements, as carried out by cantonment committees, are
generally satisfactory, but in Mhow Surgeon Heffernan notes a case of cholera
having been caused by the proximity to an officer's quarters of the trench
latrines of the grass-cutters of the 3rd (K. O.) Hussars. It is also stated that the
space allotted for the trench latrines of the 25th Regiment N. I. is too limited. In
Mehidpur the trench-latrine ground of the previous year was utilized for the
cultivation of native vegetables—a commendable proceeding which cannot be too
frequently followed. Some of the trench latrines have been improved. Canton-
ment committees cannot be too careful to guard against pollution of drinking
water from trench-latrines or any other source of impurity whatever. In the
previous report I recommended the use of Macnamara's filters. The field latrines
of the Sappers and Miners in their new camp at Kirkee are very unsatisfactory
in the rainy season, and the place drains itself into the river above where the men
at present draw their drinking water ; but Kharakwásla water is expected to be
laid on soon.
The latrines in Tanna are also in an objectionable condition,
which the medical officer reports might be improved by laying down a flushing .
pipe leading into the creek. Those in Baroda are unsatisfactory owing to the
limited extent of ground and their proximity to the hospital of the 22nd Regi-
ment N. I. One well is only 100 yards distant from the latrines. Dr. Miller again
draws attention to the very unsatisfactory latrine system of the 1st and 2nd
Regiments of Sind Horse at Jacobabad.
36. The duties have not been severe, and, as far as is known, have not injured
the general health. The medical officer of the 8th
N.I.attributes the decided falling off in the general
health and efficiency of the sepoys of this regiment to the hard work and ex-
posure entailed by the building of their new lines ; but Deputy Surgeon-General
Maitland, pointing out that the general health of sepoys of other corps similarly
employed remained good, attributes this failure in health to climatic causes.
As a matter of fact a large number of the admissions were due to trifling
contusions. The duties of the 3rd Regiment N. L. I at Ahmedabad were heavy
after the departure of the 9th Regiment N. I. for Baroda, and Dr. Johnson
attributes to this cause the very large increase in the admissions.
37. Several medical officers recommend a course of exercise in the gymna
-sium as likely to conduce to the physical development of
the men, especially recruits. In this I entirely concur,
and am of opinion that it should take the place of one of the ordinary drill
parades. I mentioned this subiect in para. 52 of my last report.
38. The hospitals and their surroundings are well reported of generally,
and improvements are gradually taking place, and de
-ficiencies being supplied where necessary.
3 9 . V a c c i n a t i o n i s t h o r o u g h l y c a r r i e d o u t , a n d o n l y i n f a n t s o f t e n d e r a g e
remain unprotected. There were no deaths from small-
p o x . T h o u g h t h i s d i s e a s e w a s e p i d e m i c i n t h e f i r s t 4
B
6 6 — C
Working-pay.
Lines, &c.
Duties.
Gymnasia.
Hospitals.
Vaccination.