41
POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL G. G. MAITLAND.
On former inspections of these lines the necessity for carrying out the measure of erect
-
ing new lines had always been apparent to me. Not only are the huts overcrowded
and badly ventilated, but they are dangerously contiguous to a mass of hovels occupied by
the civil population of what is termed the "Moglai". With the exception of an outbreak of
cholera, which occurred in May last, the general health of the detachment has been very
good, the admissions to hospital being only 30, or 29 per cent. to strength, with 1 death
from pneumonia. Although cholera prevailed to a great extent in the Moglai between the
7th and 17th of May, yet only 3 sowars were attacked and recovered. This partial
immunity amongst the fighting men no doubt was in great measure due to the prompt and
judicious measures carried out by the Commanding Officer.
H.M.'s 19th Regiment N. I.
SHOLA PUR.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major W. E. CATES; Strength, 668.
1 . F r o m 1 s t J a n u a r y t o 4 t h N o v e m b e r i n c l u s i v e t h e r e g i m e n t w a s s t a t i o n e d h e r e ; o n t h e
5th the head-quarters, about 400 strong of all ranks, proceeded
to Poona, leaving a detachment, about 303 strong, for duties at
Shohápur. The head-quarters remained at Poona, under canvas,
from 6th November 1875 to 1st January 1876, when they returned to Sholápur, which was
reached on the morning of the 2nd January. The only detachment from head-quarters during
the year, was one of about 89 strong, under a European officer, which proceeded in May to
Tándulwári, about 15 miles from Sholápur, which rejoined head-quarters on 25th May 1875.
2. During the past year every attention has been paid to preserving the cantonment
in a good sanitary condition. There has been no failure of good
water, and the drainage of the station has been satisfactory.
The hedges have been cut periodically, and the compounds kept
clean, and free from noxious decomposing matter of any kind.
3. The year just past was marked by a somewhat higher temperature and a smaller
rainfall than in the previous year. Little or no rain fell during
the three hot months, and even in the monsoon instead of
steady continuous showers the season was marked by occasional heavy falls of rain, followed
by considerable intervals of dry, warm weather. A good deal of rain fell towards the end of
the year (notably during a very severe storm which burst over the cantonment on the 6th
December, and did considerable damage, not only to trees but to houses), and brought the
total fall up to 28 inches, which is above the average, though considerably below the amount
gauged in 1874.
4. The available space has been sufficient during the year. The trees planted, have been
growing fairly well. The sudder bazaar is within a short dis
-
tance, and its sanitary condition is not quite satisfactory. There
are still no latrines, and consequently the poorer inhabitants resort to the nearest nullahs,
which during the cold season are to windward of the regimental lines and hospital, and are
often a source of annoyance, if not of actual danger to health. The attention of the civil
authorities has been drawn to these objectionable practices, and the nuisance has not been
so great during the past as in the previous year, but there is still room for improvement; and,
until latrines are erected, I do not see how it can be entirely avoided. In other respects the
sudder bazaar is well looked after, and is kept fairly clean and free from nuisances. There
is a small tank below the lines, which usually dries up in November or December, but which
at present contains water, owing to the late rainfall. It is not, I think, a source of malaria.
5 . T h e s e a r e s t i l l c a r r i e d o u t i n t h e s a m e m a n n e r . T h e l i n e s h a v e b e e n k e p t c l e a n , a n d
the latrines regularly cleaned out twice a day. They are as free
from smell as is possible without a strict system of dry conser
-
vancy. The nightsoil is removed twice a day, or oftener if
necessary, and buried at a distance from the cantonment.
6. The water-supply has been sufficient during the year, none of the wells having
failed, probably owing to the heavy rainfall in 1874. No com
-
plaint has been made of the quality, though, for reasons given
by me last year, it would seem probable that there is a certain amount of contamination of
the water of both the present wells. It has not, however, been analysed as yet, the neces-
sary apparatus not having reached me. A new well is now in course of construction on the
Location and Movement of
Corps.
Topography and Physical Geo
-
graphy.
Effects on Climate.
Lines.
Conservancy and Sanitary Ar
-
rangements.
Water-supply.