NORTHERN DIVISION OF THE ARMY.
83
Observations on the Level of the Sub-soil Water.
Locality Designation
of Well.
Date and Hour of Measurement.
Distance of Sub-soil
Water below Surface
of Ground.
Rainfall from Date
of last Measurement.
Feet in.
In. cts.
25th February, at 5 A. M.
24
6
0 17
15th March do.
24
6
. . .
15th April do.
2 4 6
. . .
15th May do.
24
6
. . .
15th June do.
25
5
0 18
15th July do.
23
0
0 59
15th August do.
24
0
0 71
15th September do.
28
7
0 42
15th October do.
29
7
. . .
15th November do.
29
7
. . .
15th December do.
29
7
. . .
REMARKS BY DEPUTY SURGEON-GENERAL D. WYLLIE, M.D.
Health was satisfactory, contingent circumstances regarded. The lines are reported as
adequate in space and ventilation; water abundant and good; food moderately cheap; no con
-servancy; duties very heavy, only 2½ nights in bed. The locality is fairly healthy, unless
from September till December, when east winds and ague prevail. There is no separate
hospital; the sick are treated in 2 rooms attached to the lines, both badly ventilated and
insufficient, being only adapted for 5 patients. No vaccination.
H. M.'s 11th Regiment N. I.
BHUJ.—In medical charge of Surgeon-Major H. R. MCDOUGALL, M. D.;
Strength. 671.
1. The regiment has been stationed at Bhuj. With the exception of small recruiting
and escort parties and men on furlough, the whole strength of
the regiment has been at head-quarters during the year.
2. The country looks more barren and desolate than last year owing to the scanty
rainfall; a great drift of sand took place, this spring, in
consequence of the prevalence of high winds. The two tanks
were not nearly filled this year, though some engineering arrangements had been carried
out by which it was hoped the larger tank would be completely filled; this failed, however,
by the scanty rainfall. The tank is at present at a very low ebb, and is expected to be quite
dry in 2 months' time, which will reduce the people of the town to considerable straits.
Drainage is rapid and efficient; there are no natural collections of water in the vicinity. Strong
winds prevailed in the early part of the year, causing much inconvenience from the great
drift of sand which half-blocked up the doorways of some of the rows of huts, obliterated
the roads in some places. and nearly buried the young trees.
3. Owing to several men bringing their families with them on returning from furlough,
the population of the lines has been greater than last year,
but no inconvenience, in a sanitary point of view, has been
noticed in consequence. The ventilation, though not very well provided for specially, seems
ample; a nearly constant breeze during the greater part of the year and a single-tiled roof
effect a pretty free interchange of air. The men's huts have undergone the usual repairs
during the year, and are in fair condition, but much of the woodwork is very old and injur
-ed by dry rot and white ants. There is no system of drains in the lines; all sewage matters
are removed by hand daily. The sub-soil water stands at a depth of 42 feet, and there is
at present a depth of 8 feet of water in the wells in the
lines.
4. The trench system of latrines is still in use; the positions occupied, are the same
as last year, and the arrangements similar. None of the
old trenches have been re-opened, nor has any of the land used
been brought under cultivation. The system is found to
answer well so far as it goes; but, as a matter of fact, a large proportion of the men prefer,
when practicable, resorting to the open country at a considerable distance, asserting as a
reason that the accommodation is insufficient, that there is a want of privacy, and that the
enclosure becomes dirty and offensive when much frequented. The trenches themselves
have not been found to be a source of annoyance during the year; no evil odour has been
experienced from those that have been filled in. In certain moist conditions of the atmo
-sphere those actually in use are occasionally offensive to some distance off, but not for any
Location and Movement of Corps.
Topography, &c.
Lines.
Conservancy and Sanitary Ar
-rangements.