14
51. I think that each regiment stationed at Ghorpuri should be directed
to carry out the system introduced by the 2/7th Fusiliers at, I believe, the sug-
gestion of Dr. Giraud, who says:—
" A sanitary corps has been established in the regiment consisting of a
thoroughly trained soldier from each company under a careful, trustworthy,
non-commissioned officer. The men of this corps, who are changed monthly,
are struck off all ordinary duty, and are solely employed in looking after the
water-supply, the cleanliness and efficiency of the barrack-room filters, the
cleanliness of the urinals and latrines, and the careful working of the dry-
earth system, the general cleanliness of the ground in the vicinity of the
barracks and bazaar, together with that of the officers' compounds."
52.
would, before concluding my recommendations regarding the
Ghorpuri barracks, desire to record my opinion that, if these lines are to be con-
tinued, pipe-sewers, as recommended by Mr. Whiting, C.E., should be provided
as well as surface and subsoil drains. This action would be a great and
lasting improvement, and one that would materially enhance their sanitary con-
dition. Every privy and ablution-room, &c., in them would then be connected
with the sewers, the outfall of which would be, as proposed by Mr. Whiting, over
the fields to the north of the railway, where the fertilizing material now wasted
would be utilized for the growth of vegetables for the use of the men.
53. I think this is a fitting place to mention that I inspected the slaughter-
houses and hanging-sheds in charge of the Commissariat where cattle are slaughter-
ed for the use of the troops. These are situated beyond Cantonment limits by
the side of the Bapdeo Ghat Road. They are admirable in design, and are kept
perfectly clean and sweet. Nine head of oxen and twenty-one sheep are, I am
informed by Captain Henderson, daily slaughtered here for the use of the troops
at Poona and Kirkee, and the meat is brought into Poona by two carts.
54. As connected with the subject of the food provided for the European
troops, I would recommend that more care be taken regarding the purity of the
milk supplied to the men. Few can estimate the amount of disease caused by
impure milk, and the unhealthy conditions under which the buffaloes belonging
to private owners in the bazaar line cannot fail to render the milk unwholesome
and even dangerous. Government has gone to great expense in providing the
troops with wholesome meat and wholesome bread, but I am of opinion that
arrangements ought to be made that the European troops be only supplied with
the milk of cattle kept and fed by the Commissariat Department. Perhaps this
would not be as cheap as the bazaar milk ; but, under the energetic superintend-
ence of the Commissariat officers, the milk would be far more wholesome, and
would n ot—as there is now, I am informed, reason to believe is the case—be mixed
with impure water. This subject is really a most important one, and I would
desire to invite the attention of the Cantonment Committee strongly to it. In
my inspection of the Government Bakery I was much struck with the absolute
cleanliness of the place and of the care taken in the manufacture of the bread.
I think the greatest credit is due to the authorities concerned, for nothing can
exceed the admirable arrangements throughout this building.
55. I also inspected the Commissariat Cattle Lines, which are situated
im-mediately¬ outside the boundary wall of the open Kharakwásla, more correctly
designated the Mutha Canal, as it passes under the bridge across Sunkersett Road,
and which extend from it to the open space opposite the bazaar slaughter-house,
the nuisance from which is much complained of by the Commissariat officers. In
these lines are kept the Commissariat cattle for transport service. The lines,
which comprise an area of about 214,701 square yards, were extremely clean;
but all the urine from the animals soaks into the ground. The followers residing
in the premises constantly vary in number, but the strength all told is : —
Men.
Women.
Children.
Total.
509
396
372
1,277