NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
9
tary Authorities it was handed back to the latter. The Moti Bagh being a
place of recreation and cool shade, the Committee are of opinion that any
attempt to interfere with it is very undesirable and that it should not be touched.
As there are already two wells between the Lily Tank and the Bijapur
road, another well is not necessary, but those mentioned will both be covered and
repaved, also supplied with buckets. When this work is completed, all access to
the Lily Tank will be stopped. A stone trough for watering cattle will also be
provided near one of the wells.
With reference to the dhobies washing, the Committee do not know of any
other place to which they could resort which would not be fully as much if not
more objectionable than the present situation. The nullah in which they wash
not being (as supposed by the Sanitary Commissioner) to windward of camp
except during the monsoon.
The latter remark applies also to the burial grounds. The question of the
burial grounds will be considered by the Committee.
The Committee agree with the suggestion of the Sanitary Commissioner
regarding the bungalows in camp, and have resolved that whenever new bunga-
lows are to be built, plans and estimates are to be laid before them for approval
before sanction is given for the erection of the building. In conclusion the
Committee in acknowledging the valuable suggestions of the Sanitary Commis-
sioner beg to observe that the proposals will be carried out as opportunity offers.
(Signed) G. U. PRICE, Colonel,
President, Cantonment Committee.
[True extracts.]
Sholapur, B. S. A. TRENCH, Captain,
November 1st, 1876.
Staff Officer, Sholapur, and
Secretary, Cantonment Committee.
No. A-1034 OF 1876.
FROM
T. G. HEWLETT, ESQUIRE,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner;
To
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
Military Department.
Sanitary Commissioner's Office,
Bombay, 14th November 1876.
SIR,
I have the honor to forward to you, for the information of His Excellency
the Governor in Council, my report on the sanitary condition of the Cantonment
of Sholapur as seen by me at my inspection during the month of September, with
copies of the resolutions adopted by the Cantonment Committee on the proposals
I have made.
2. In submitting these I have the honor in obedience to para. 15 of
Government Resolution, General Department, No. 2716, dated 23rd August
1876, to remark that after giving due weight to the opinion of the Committee
who state that "lavatories are impracticable for sepoys," I am still most
strongly of an opinion which has been strengthened by further experience that
these nanees or bathing places inside the verandahs of sepoys' huts are one of the
most fruitful sources of the intermittent fever which is the curse of the Native
Army in this presidency, and which causes Government so much expense and
impairs the efficiency of Native regiments by entailing loss of service perhaps
more than any other cause.
3. I would, therefore, hope that Government will be pleased to order the
abolition of all nanees inside the huts, at all events, of single men in native regi-
ments for as Government will see when my report on Ahmednagar reaches it,
there need be no practical difficulty in the matter, as a capital form of bathing
pavement has been already introduced into the Sudder Bazar of that station by
Major Moore, the Cantonment Magistrate, and there can be no valid reason why
such should not be at once introduced into every Native regiment in the presidency.
4. For the women a separate bathing place distinct from that of the men
might be erected which might be enclosed by a fence about 4' high, made of split
bamboos, if such is considered to be necessary, which I confess seems to me to be
doubtful as one sees native women bathing quite unconcernedly before men in
almost every stream you pass throughout the length and breadth of India, and
as there is no immediate exposure of the person there is nothing indelicate to
their ideas in doing so.
5. This action is especially needed at Sholapur for as Deputy Surgeon
General Maitland says "judging from past records of native regiments quartered
3
13. In conclusion I would respectfully trust that Government will be
pleased to order that the large balance Rs. 13,214, at the disposal of the Com-
mittee be spent on these absolutely necessary works so that the sanitary condi-
tion of the station which has attracted the attention of the Army Sanitary
Commission may be at once improved by carrying out the obviously necessary
wants alluded to in my report.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
T. G. HEWLETT,
Military Department.
Bombay Castle,
No. 387.
31st January 1877.
Letter from the Sanitary Commissioner, No. A.—1034, dated 10th November 1876.
Submits a report on the sanitary condition of the Cantonment of Sholapur, with copies
of the resolutions adopted by the Cantonment Committee on his proposals.
RESOLUTION.—The report of the Sanitary Commissioner bears testimony to
the care with which the conservancy arrangements of the cantonment are carried
out so far as the existing condition of that cantonment and its surroundings will
admit of.
2. The regimental lines are described as being "remarkably clean and
well kept, and great attention is evidently paid to their conservancy. But there
appears to be still room for improvement in respect to drainage. The Quarter
Master General should be requested to report whether His Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief is prepared to back the Sanitary Commissioner's recommen-
dation regarding subsoil drainage (vide para. 8), and, if so, the probable cost of
the undertaking.
3. The Quarter Master General's attention should be called to para. 9 of
the report, in which the position of the regimental latrines is commented upon,
and the adoption of a better style of latrine is advocated.
4. The need of a dead-house near the hospital is brought to notice. This
will doubtless be borne in mind when the Quarter Master General submits
proposals for supplying out-offices to existing public buildings in the several
cantonments which may, in the opinion of His Excellency the Commander-in-
Chief, be considered as pressingly necessary.
5. The position of the cells may be admitted to be not desirable; at the
same time, Government, it may be stated, are not prepared at present to incur
any expenditure in re-building them elsewhere.
6. The matters which appear to require early attention in view to re-
medial measures being sooner or later adopted to check or modify what are
viewed by the Sanitary Commissioner as fertile sources of unhealthiness, are
—
(a) The removal. of "nannees" or bathing places within the
dwelling rooms occupied by the native troops, and the substitution of
suitable separate bathing places erected near the lines for both the men
and women of the regiment.
(b) Deep subsoil drainage in and near the regimental lines.
(c) The best means for permanently improving the condition of the
Moti Bagh tank and the ground below it along the south-west side of the
cantonment, vide paras. 16, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22 of the Sanitary Com-
missioner's report.
(d) Improved arrangements for drawing water from the officers'
well (para. 20).
(e) The improvement of the condition of the nullah below the Moti
Bagh (para. 24).
(f) The cleaning out of the nullahs of the koorun mentioned in
para. 16.
(g) The present filthy condition of the Saddar Bazar.
7. Early report as to the action taken in respect to the matters above
detailed should be made.
J . A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government.
B 2 2 1 - 1 E
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
Bombay Castle, 6th February 1877.
Resolution of Government in the Military Department, No. 387, dated 31st January 1877—
Passing certain orders on the report of the Sanitary Commissioner regarding the sanitary
condition of the cantonment of Sholápur.
RESOLUTION.—This may be bound up with the other reports of Mr. Hewlett
in his Annual Report.
E. W. RAVENSCROFT,
Chief Secretary to Government.
No. 21 M. W.-145 OF 1877.
Public Works Department.
Bombay Castle,
5th February 1877.
Resolution of Government in the Military Department, No. 387, dated 31st January 1877.
Reviews report of the Sanitary Commissioner on the sanitary condition of the canton-
ment of Sholápur.
RESOLUTION.—A copy to be communicated to the Superintending Engineer,
Central Division, for information.
W. A. BAKER, Lieut.-Colonel, R.E.,
Under Secretary to Government.
Military Department.
Bombay Castle,
No. 1482.
6th April 1877.
Letter from the Quarter Master General of the Army, No. 19-18-1421, dated 27th
March 1877.
SIR,—Referring to para. 6 of Government Resolution, Military Department, No. 387,
dated 31st January last, I am desired by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief to report
that-
(a.)—The removal of the " nannees " or bathing places in native troops' lines,
and the provision in lieu thereof of suitable lavatories, is under consideration.
(b.)—.An estimate of the cost of carrying out a system of subsoil drainage, on the
principle laid down by the Army Sanitary Commission, has been called for.
(c.)—The question of draining the Moti Bagh was carefully gone into in 1870 by
a Special Committee with the Sanitary Commissioner as President. A full report on
the matter was furnished to Government, and proposals
Government Resolution, Mili-
submitted for remedying the reputed insanitary condition
taryDearment, No. 4879, 11th
November 1872. of the place. Doubts, however, were raised in regard to
the soundness of the scheme ; consequently nothing further
was done in the matter beyond permanently removing the battery of European artillery
from that station. Rs. 5,000 has recently been sanctioned by His Excellency the
Commander-in-Chief to be expended from the Cantonment Fund for cleaning out the
Moti Bagh tank.
(d.)-The extension of the Ekrook Canal scheme to the Cantonment of Sholápur
is the only measure that suggests itself for remedying the present objectionable prac-
tice of conveying water in mussacks. It is a measure, however, which would be attended
by additional expense to the Military Department.
2
(e .)—The President of the Sholapur Cantonment Committee reports that the
Sanitary Commissioner's proposition, with reference to the dhobies' washing place, is
not feasible on account of the distance (2½ miles) and the filthy state of the water
lower down, but that another search will be made for a more suitable spot.
( f. ) — T h e m a r s h i s b e i n g d r a i n e d a n d r a i s e d ; a n d t h e w e l l s a r e a b o u t t o b e
covered as recommended.
(g.)—The Sadar Bazar was struck out of Military limits about six years ago.
It is suggested that the civil authorities be addressed on the subject of its present
filthy condition.
—I have, &c., G. BURROWS, Brigadier-General, Quarter Master General.
RESOLUTION.—TO be communicated to the Sanitary Commissioner and to
the General Department, with reference to Government Resolution No. 387,
dated 31st January last.
2.The attention of the General Department is invited to the last portion
of the Quarter Master General's letter.
J. A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government.
No. 1471.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
Bombay Castle, 8th May 1877.
Resolution of Government in the Military Department, No. 1482, dated 6th April 1877—
Inviting attention to the following suggestion made by the Quarter Master General of
the Army in his letter No. 19-18—1421, dated 27th March 1877, on the sanitary
condition of the Sholdpur Cantonment :
—
"The Sadar Bazar was struck out of Military limits about six years ago. It is
suggested that the civil authorities be addressed on the subject of its present filthy
condition."
Memorandum from the Police Commissioner, S. D., No. 743, dated 3rd May 1877—Sub-
mitting, with reference to the above, a letter No, 1847, dated 28th April last, from the
Collector of Sholapur, who reports that he has consulted the Managing Committee of
the Municipality, and he agrees with them that the Sadar Bazar is not in a particularly
dirty condition; states that arrangements were made last year to build latrines on a site
approved by the Sanitary Commissioner, but from want of funds the work could not
be carried out, and adds that the financial condition of the Municipality is not such as
to admit of the work being taken in hand at present.
RESOLUTION.—The President, Sholapur Municipal Committee, to be re-
quested to give his attention to the amendment of the sanitary condition of the
Sadar Bazar at Sholdpur as soon as the state of the Municipal funds will permit
his doing so.
E. W. RAVENSCROFT,
Chief Secretary to Government.
Plan
No. 19 of 1876/77
Sketch showing
junction
Of Bhingar and Shapore A at Ahmednagar.
Ex. Engineer' s Office; Ahmednagar 20th October 1876.
E x . E n g i n e e r ' s O f f i c e ,
Ahmednagar 20th October 1876.
S d / W . M a n s o n , M a j o r B . E . ,
E x e c u t i v e E n g i n e e r , A C .
P l a n N o . 1 9 o f 1 8 7 6 / 7 7
S k e t c h s h o w i n g j u n c t i o n
O f B h i n g a r a n d S h a p o r e A q u e d u c t s
at Ahmednagar.
Scal e 300 f eet t o an I nch
Ground Plan of the Chowpatee Fountain
at Ahmednagar. Scale 10' Feet to an Inch.
Municipal Office
Ahmednagar,30th Septr. 1876
N. Gursetjee Setna,
Sectry A. Mty.
Plan, section, and Elevation showing a Bathing-Platform in the sudi at Ahmednagar.
Elevation on, C, D,
Scale 5 and 10 feet to an Inch.
Ahmednagar, 2nd June 1874. Executive Engineer' s Office A.C.
Plan, Section and ,Elevation,
Showing a Bathing- Platform in the Sudder Bazaar
at Ahmednagar.
Elevation on C,D,
Scale 5 and 10 feet to an Inch .
•
Ahmednagar,2nd June 1874. ,
Execut i ve Engi nner' s Offi ce. AC. ,
Cross section on A.B.,
14
of high caste and one for Purwaries. These ought to be covered, and fitted with
iron buckets and chains.
60. The open-air gymnasim for the sepoys appears much frequented, and
must tend to keep them healthy.
61. The Kothla is a square enclosure, which is, I believe, private property ;
the huts in it have been ventilated, and water from the Kapurwadi Aqueduct has
been introduced, and it has been drained. .
62. I also inspected the private bakery at the back of the Kothla, from which
bread for the use of the European troops is supplied. It was extremely clean ;
but I think that a bakery should always be worked by the Commissariat, in a
Government building. I was sorry to see that the Steven's dough-kneading
machine was not in use.
63. The portion of Simpson's Bazaar which comes within Cantonment
limits was extremely clean, and afforded a contrast to the remaining portion of the
bazaar, which is under the Municipality.
64. The Lock Hospital is situated on the right of the regimental hospital,
and is a convenient building. It contains accommodation for 16 sick women ; but
a chimney for the cook-room is much needed. I am indebted to Surgeon-Major
Burrows, in charge of this hospital, for the following statement. The in-
crease in disease lately is due to the fact that one woman had diseased several
men in succession before she was discovered :-
Months.
Average Number
of Prostitutes on
the Register for
each Month. .
Number of Pros-
titutes admitted
into Hospital
with Venereal
Affections during
each Month.
Average Number
of Prostitutes in
Hospital during
each Month,
European Soldiers.
Average Number in
Hospital during
each month with
Venereal Diseases.
January
......
...
197.1
2 3
7.7
4.67
February... ...
. . .
199.0
18
8.8
4.79
March ...... ...
...
202.0
21
1.0.3
5.54
April
...
....... ...
201.2
17
.10.8
3.28
May .... ......
. . .
200 . 1
15
8.7
4.54
June
...
......
...
198.6
14
3.9
5.76
July
...
...
. . .
200.6
11
4.7
2.55
August ...
...
...
...
201 .9
15
7.0
8.61
Total...
134
57.49
39.74
Average...
16.7
7.19
4.97
65. The Tent-Lascar Lines near the Mundai Bazaar were very fairly clean,
though the privies which they visit were very dirty.
66. I also visited the Jail andTreasury-Guard in the city. The jail guard-
room and the Native Officers' quarters require roof-ventilation. The Native Offi-
cers' latrine was very fairly clean, but the one for the sepoys' use ought to be
provided with iron pans, and a proper drain made from it. At the Treasury-Guard
the drain near the privy provided for the men requires paving ; as at present all
the liquid filth soaks into the ground below, and is a source of disease; and the filthy
fluid flows out at times through the City wall which adjoins it, and forms an offen-
sive pool on the Cantonment limits outside. The Sudder Bazaar guard-room for
Europeans is only 15 feet long by 8 feet broad and 10 feet 5 inches high. Two
European military policemen are always on guard, and the men complain of heat.
The room is ventilated by 2 windows and the door, but it is an improper place for
Europeans ; as long as it is used, roof-ventilation should be provided. The floor of
15
the room is level with the surface of the ground. The Native guard consists of
a naik and 3 men ; their room is 22 feet by 12 feet, but the ventilation is very
defective. The walls require piercing, and ridge ventilation should be provided.
67. The Native population of the cantonment is thus distributed :—
Persons.
Sudder Bazaar
...
...
...
. . .
2,635
Simpson do
. . . . . . . . . .
350
Mundai do.
...
...
...
. . .
70
Native Infantry Lines
...
...
...
100
European Officers. do.
...
...
. . .
828
3,983
and it consisted, at the time of the Census, as under :—
Caste or Class.
POPULATION BY CENSUS, 1872.
PERCENTAGE ON ENTIRE
POPULATION.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Hindus
...
...
...
1,351
1,371
2,722
67.24
69.45
68.34
Mahomedans... ...
. . .
492
472
964
24.48
23.91
24.20
Buddhists......
..
16
6
22
0.79
0.30
0.56
Christians... ...
. . .
136
115
251
6.79
5.83
6.30
Others..... ...
...
. . .
1 4
10
24
0.70
0.51
0.60
Total...
2,009
1,974
3,983
68. The number of deaths registered in the following years, among the
Native population in the Cantonment of Ahmednagar, will be seen below :—
NUMBER OF DEATHS REGISTERED. RATIO OF DEATHS PER 1,000 OF POPULATION.
Y e a r s .
Males.
Females.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
1871...
. . .
69
37
106
23.2
12.5
17.8
1872
...
...
90
94
174
44 . 8
42.5
43.7
1873
4
. 0
...
53
39
92
26.38
19.76
23.10
1874..
.
4
47
23
70
23.39
11.65
17.53
1875...
. . .
30
37
67
14.93
18.74
16.82
69. The different causes of deaths are shown in next return :—
NUMBER OF DEATHS FROM SPECIFIED CAUSES.
RATIO OF DEATHS PER 1,000 OF POPULATION.
Years.
Cholera. Small-
pox. Fever,
Bowel
Com-
plaints.
Injuries Other
Causes.
All
Causes. Cholera. Small-
pox. Fever.
Bowel
Com-
plaints.
Injuries. Other
Causes.
All
Causes.
1871
.
..
. .
48
11
3
44
106
. . ..
8.2
0.2
0.50
7.4
17.8
1872
..
.. .
1
3
70
19
3
78
174
0.2
0.7
17.6
4.7
0.7
19.6
43.7
1873
..
.
.
..
36
4
4
48
92
..
..
9.04
1 . 0 0
1 . 0 0
12.05 23.10
1874..
..
.
..
32
6
1
31
70
..
..
8.03
1.51
0.30
7.03 17.53
1875
..
-
4
..
35
5
1
22
67
1.00
..
8.78
1.26
0.25
5 . 5 2 16.82
16
70. It will be seen that the death-rate in 1872 attained the enormously
high one of nearly 44 per 1,000, and the fever death-rate in that year was the
very large one of 17 . 6 per 1,000. This points to preventible causes of disease,
probably malaria, and is a statement sufficient to cause anxiety. It clearly shows
the importance of strict attention being paid to sanitary improvement. I am glad
to see that the fever rate has fallen to 8 . 78 per 1,000 in 1875, but even this is
still too high.
71. The deaths were recorded to have taken place at the different ages
below mentioned :—
Years.
INFANT CHILD-
REN UNABLE TO
WALK.
Boys. Girls.
ADULTS.
OLD PEOPLE.
TOTAL.
Males. Females.
Males. Females. Males. Females. Males. Females. Total.
1871* ...
...
31
2 4
2 3
23
101
1872
...
...
27
21
24
25
21
16
16
22
88
84
172
1873
...
...
22
11
8
4
11
15
11
8
52
38
90
1874
...
...
14
9
10
4
9
9
14
1
47
23
70
1875
...
...
6
11
9
10
11
8
4
8
30
37
67
* No distinction of sex is shown this year.
From which I have deduced the following table :—
Y e a r s .
Number of Deaths under
12 years of Age.
Total Number of Deaths
from all Ages.
Percentage of former to
latter.
1871
...
...
...
55
101
54.45
1872
97
172
56.39
1873
...
...
.
4 5
90
50.00
1874
...
...
...
37
70
5 2 . 8 6
1875 ... ... ...
36
67
53.73
It shows that more than half the total deaths occur among children under 12
years of age.
72. The deaths, according to caste, are thus classified :—
Years.
NUMBER OF DEATHS REGISTERED.
RATIO OF DEATHS PER 1,000 OF POPULATION
Chris-
tians.
Maho-
medans. Hindus. Other
Classes. Total. Chris-
tians.
Maho-
medans. Hinclus. Other
Classes. Total.
1871 ...
...
...
3
22
77
4
106
Details not obtai nable.
17.8
1872 ...
...
12
32
130
...
174
47.8
33.2
47.4
43.7
1873
...
1
21
70
..,
92
3.98
21 .78
25.51
...
23.10
1874 ...
...
3
13
54
...
70
11.95
13 .49
19.68
...
17.57
1875 ...
.,.
1
16
50
...
67
39.84
16 . 60
18 .22
...
16.82
17
73. The birth-ratio is only obtainable for the last two years, but the result
of last year (19.83 per 1,000) or of the previous one (13.06) is far below the real
number ; and endeavours should be made to improve the registration of births
and deaths, as it forms such a very important part of sanitary statistics.
74. I append a statement showing the receipts and expenditure of the
Cantonment Fund during the last five years, and also a return showing the items
of revenue and expenditure during last year. This shows a balance of Rs. 15,000
in hand, which I trust the Cantonment Committee will expend on some of the
works I have pointed out.
75. In bringing this Report to a conclusion I would desire to express my
best thanks to Colonel Morris, Commanding the Station, and to all the Officers
I met, for the trouble they were good enough to take in obtaining for me the
information I required.
T. G. HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
B 632—e