NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
REPORT ON THE CANTONMENT OF KOLHA'PUR.
The cantonment of Kolhapur is situated on high ground over the valley of
the Panchganga river, and is about a mile distant from the town, which lies to
the south-west of camp. It occupies an area of rather more than 663 acres, and
the country all round is open, and cultivated towards the river.
2. The roads throughout the cantonment are well kept, and great attention
is evidently paid to prevent the lodgment of water, the natural drainage being
extremely good.
3. There is only one regiment quartered here—the 3rd Native Infantry,
670 strong—the lines of the Kolhápur Infantry being outside camp limits. The
officers' bungalows and the mess-house are on the highest part of camp, and the
Native Infantry lines have been built also on the top of a spur, from which there
is a good fall towards the river.
4. The sepoys' huts consist of pendalls, built in two divisions, separated by
a broad street in the centre, and each of these contain 16 blocks. These, however,
are not of good construction, as they are not sufficiently raised above the surface
of the ground, the level of many of the huts being below it, no plinths having
been provided. The roofs are tiled, and afford the only means of ventilation to
each room when the door is closed. In the corner of each hut is a nanee, where
the men wash, and the water from these places passes out through a hole in the
wall, and soaks into the ground outside. The walls are built of sun-dried mud
bricks, plastered over.
5. Permanent latrines of the standard plan were provided for the use of the
regiment occupying these lines, but they are not now used, and the trench system
is adopted; but one of the most important points connected with it has not been
carried out, as the ground, after being manured, is not cultivated. It is, in my
opinion, very desirable that it should be. I was informed that the sepoys do not
like the trench system on account of the want of privacy, and that they, of their
own accord, walk beyond camp limits and ease themselves in the fields. Six
sweepers are allowed by Government, and four additional ones are paid out of
regimental funds, to keep the trench latrines clean.
6. The regimental hospital was originally built for Europeans, and is
excellent in every respect. Dr. Johnson, the surgeon of the regiment, however,
pointed out that the house accommodation provided for the hospital subordinates
is not quite what it should be, and I think their huts might be improved with
advantage. Some of their quarters were not originally intended for dwelling-
places. A cook-room and a latrine are also required for their use.
B 2 2 1 - 1
f
2
7. The Sudder Bazaar is situated on the west of the lines. Its population
is said to consist of :—
Men.
Women.
Children.
TOTAL.
Mussulmans
97
105
152
3 5 4
Hindus
62
48
75
185
Low Caste Hindus
30
53
26
109
Christians
5
6
5
16
Jains ...
3
3
3
9
Other Caste
7
5
6
18
Total
204
220
267
691
These persons are said to live in 200 houses, 150 being of the better sort and 50
of an inferior description, so that, on the average, there are 3 .40 persons to a house ;
84 of these houses have privies on the premises, which were in a dirty state at
the time of my visit. There are no drains, and the urine and ablution-water
escape at the back, and soak into the earth. The roads were as clean as they can
be kept with the limited establishment allowed, viz., 1 cart and 2 sweepers.
8. The shops seemed to be well supplied. Beef is only procurable once
a week, when one animal is killed about half mile away on the maidan, as there
is no slaughter-house or beef-market, and the butchers expose the meat for sale
in the verandahs of their houses, which are separate from the rest of the bazaar.
About 6 or 7 sheep are slaughtered at the same place daily, and the mutton is
also sold in the verandahs of the mutton-butchers' houses. One large cattle
stable contained 150 head of cattle ; it was very dirty, as there is no drainage
to carry away the urine.
9. The cutchra and nightsoil collected in the Sudder Bazaar are taken to a
place about . 4- a mile away, and deposited behind a small hill, where the animals
for the bazaar are slaughtered, and below the hill is situated the trench-latrine
for the use of residents in the bazaar, but it is too far off to be generally used.
10. Last year there were 14 deaths reported in the bazaar-2 being from
fever, 3 from bowel complaint, and the remainder from other causes ; 6 of these
were infants under one year of age, 1 under 12 years, 4 were adults, and 3 old
people. Vaccination appeared to be diligently carried on among the children.
11. Dr. Johnson has done excellent service in organizing a periodical
inspection of the prostitutes living just outside the Sudder Bazaar, and has thus
checked the ravages of venereal disease.
12. I am of opinion that the lines are not as good as they should be, and
that when an opportunity offers itself they should be rebuilt on a better plan,
with raised plinths and more ventilation. The question of the bathing-water
difficulty can be met in two ways—either (and this is the best way) by forbidding
sepoys to wash themselves inside their huts or compounds at all (in which event
it would be necessary to provide lavatories for each sex, on proper sites near the
pendalls), or, if this cannot be done, by leading the water through a drain, away
from the huts. It would even be better to make a little strip of garden in front
of each row of huts, and lead the water to it, than allow it to soak into the ground
close to the walls.
3
13. The water-supply is derived from . 12 wells, some of which run dry in.
the hot weather, though two are said to yield good water all the year round.
These wells ought to be covered, to prevent impurities finding their way into the
water ; and each should be fitted with an iron chain and iron bucket, or, if the men
prefer to use their own brass lotas, these should be cleaned before being brought
to the well ; bat I should be glad to see the Kattyani water brought into camp.
I certainly think it ought to be done, but it is estimated that the cost of bringing
it in would amount to about Rs. 20,000 or 25,000. It would be a great safe-
guard to the troops, though the health of the regiment has been remarkably
good, only 4 deaths having occurred during the past year.
14. Altogether, I think Kolhápur Cantonment is kept in as clean a con.
dition as it can be, and that great care and attention have been paid on its general
arrangements, and that its sanitary condition is, on the whole, good, but that there
is much need for a beef and mutton market ; and that the privies in the bazaar
should be regularly inspected and more diligently cleaned, and that iron recep-
tacles should be placed below each seat. I also think the bazaar establishment
or cleaning is too small, and might advantageously be increased by another cart.
T. G. HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
Sanitary Commissioner's Office,
Bombay, 29th August 1876.
FROM
T o
Military Department.
Bombay Castle,
No. 3762.
6th September 1876.
Letter from the Acting Sanitary Commissioner, No. A.-802, dated 29th August 1876.
Forwards a report on the sanitary condition of the cantonment of Kolhápur.
RESOLUTION. —A copy of the report to be forwarded to the Quarter Master-
General and the Surgeon General, Indian Medical Department, for any remarks
they may desire to offer.
2. A copy to be also forwarded to the General and Public Works Depart-
ments.
J. A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government.
Military Department.
Bombay Castle,
No. 4457.
23rd October 1876.
Letter from the Surgeon General, Indian Medical Department, No. 3760, dated 13th Septem-
ber 1876.
Referring to Government Resolution No. 3762, dated 6th ultimo, forwarding a report on the
sanitary condition of the cantonment of Kolhápur, states that he has no remarks to offer thereon.
Letter from the Quarter Master General of the Army, No. 19—48—4223, dated 11th October
1876.
Referring to Government Resolution No. 3762, dated 6th ultimo, submits remarks in connection
with the report by the Sanitary Commissioner on the cantonment of Kolhápur.
RESOLUTION.— A. copy to be forwarded to the Sanitary Commissioner.
2. The subjects treated of in paras. 6 and 14 of the Sanitary Commis-
sioner's report should not be lost sight of.
J. A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government
No 1 9 - 4 8
4223.
Army Head Quarters,
Poona, 11th October 1876.
THE QUARTER MASTER GENERAL
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
S I R ,
B
2 2 1 — 1
B
2. The same remark also applies to that portion of paragraph 14 which
recommends that a beef and mutton market should be provided.
3. With regard to the bad drainage, noticed in paragraphs 7 and 8 of the
report, steps have been taken to remedy this defect.
4. With reference to paragraph 12, the Brigadier-General states that he
has directed the Officer Commanding at Kolhápur to have the bathing water
carried off, by means of drains outside the huts, to small plots of garden in front,
as recommended by the Sanitary Commissioner.
5. It is further reported that the privies are regularly inspected, and that
the people using them will be directed to provide receptacles, as recommended.
6. The Sanitary Commissioner is in error as regards the number of
sweepers paid for by Government for the conservancy of the latrines, four
Bil-dars being the establishment allowed.
I have, &c.,
(Signed) G. BURROWS, Brigadier-General,
Quarter Master General.
ON THE
SANITARY CONDITION
OF THE
CANTONMENT OF BELGAUM
INSPECTED IN AUGUST 1876.
The Cantonment of Belgaum is situated in latitude 15° 32' North and.
longitude 74° 53' 30" East, at an elevation of about 2,500 feet above the level of
the sea from which it is distant about 53 miles.
It is about 66 miles South of the Military Cantonment of Kolhapur and
47 miles North of that of Dharwar, whilst the nearest sea port Vingorla is 76
miles to the west, the line of the Western Ghauts being about 30 miles in the
same direction, but as the physical geography, climate, &c., of the Cantonment
have often before been described by Medical Officers, I do not think it will be
desirable in this report to enter more minutely into these matters more especially
as I have lately touched upon them in a report on the adjacent town which I
have recently submitted, nor will I attempt to give the details of every building
occupied by each corps, as such information is already in the possession of
Government, but I will confine my remarks to those points which I think it is
desirable should be brought to especial notice.
2. As one of the greatest points of danger to the troops, I will commence
with a description of the Sudder Bazar as I saw it at my inspection on the 10th
August 1876. It forms part of the eastern boundary of the Cantonment and
is separated from the town by a water course called the Bogarvis Nullah which
is crossed by several roads leading into the town so that the communication.
between the two places is constant and uninterrupted.
3. The soil consists of laterite over the underlying trap rock, and the
population as given in the Census of 1872, is said to have amounted to 2,636
males and 2,694 females, or a total of 5,330 persons, but I am informed by Colonel
Mason, the Cantonment Magistrate that these figures include Natives living in
the regimental bazars and Officers' lines, and that the population of the Sudder
Bazar by itself consists of
1,308 Men,
1,546 Woken,
1,661 Children, or a total of
4,515 persons. The remarkable excess in the number of women over that of the
men will attract attention and. if correct may partly I think be accounted for by
the location of European troops at this station.
4. It is said that these people reside in 994 houses, 100 being of a better
sort and the remainder of an inferior, in some instances, I would remark, of a
4
14. The beef slaughter house is on the south east of camp near the Tent
Lascar lines and over a nullah and close to where the dhobies wash. The
arrangements are not good, and the remarks which I shall presently make regard-
ing the Commissariat slaughter houses which are contiguous to those for the
bazar apply equally to the latter. About 8 head of cattle and about 20 sheep
are killed daily for the use of Officers and the Sudder bazar. I would particularly
notice that the well in front of the slaughter houses requires to be covered as
the water is fouled with all kinds of impurities, and it is said to be drawn for
the use of Officers.
15. I am indebted to Colonel Mason for the following return of shops :—
European
liquor
vendors.
Europe
shop
keepers.
Fruit
sellers.
Oil shop
keepers.
Earthern
pot shop
keepers.
Fish
shop
keepers.
Vegetable
shop
keepers.
Firewood
shop
keepers.
Country liquor
shop
keepers.
7
16
7
4
8
26
12
40
5
There is a distillery in the bazar where country liquor is made, and the liquor
contract was sold last year for Rs. 55,000.
16. Although as before stated the surface of the roads is kept clean, the
inside of compounds is apparently never touched and heaps of cutchra were
found lying about in them which requires removal. It is easy to conceive how
large the amount must be when the litter from the number of animals kept inside
the bazar is taken into consideration and besides this the household refuse which
must be produced daily must also be considerable.
17. The bazar is divided into four sections, and there is only one cart and
one road sweeper attached to each. The strength of the bazar conservancy esta-
blishment consists therefore of
4 Carts,
4 Sweepers for removal of surface refuse,
4 Halalcores,
2 pairs of bullocks for the removal of nightsoil
from the two public latrines. Besides the above there is one hand-bhistee em-
ployed in watering the roads. This establishment works under the orders of a
sergeant who however has also to superintend the conservancy of the Officers'
lines and the Fort which is about a mile in the other direction.
18. The nightsoil cart is an open cart the tail board of which does not
fit tight. It is taken to the manure yard which is situated about a mile and
a half along the Khanapur road, but which as it runs in a south westerly direc-
tion is not more than half a mile to the south of the Native Infantry lines.
I happened to pass one of these carts going to the depôt, and saw nightsoil drop-
ping out along the road, although the chinks in the wooden cart were stopped
up with earth. I also saw it emptied into a pit at the depôt, and the operation
was not a pleasing sight. Straw and hay had been mixed with the nightsoil in
order to consolidate it, but as soon as the tail board was removed and it consisted
of three pieces of wood and iron, the watery part escaped at once and the
remainder had to be scraped out with a piece of bamboo stick. The Khanapur
depôt is enclosed with prickly pear and is within a few yards of the public road
which I am informed during certain seasons of the year is rendered almost
7
of the Lock Hospital, for the following return showing the number of admissions
from venereal disease among the European troops stationed at Belgaum.
SYPHIL
IS
PRIMARY.
GONNORHŒA.
TOTAL.
C/4th R. A.
6 6 t h R e g i m e n t .
2 / 7 t h R . F u s i l i e r s .
C/ 4t h R. A.
6 6 t h R e g i m e n t .
2 / 7 t h R . F u s i l i e r s .
S y p h i l i s P r i m a r y .
Gonnorhœa.
Week ending January 28th
. . .
3
3
3
7
2
6
12
,,
February 26th
1 ... 3 2
...
4
4
6
, ,
March 31st
1
...
1
2
. . .
3
2
5
, ,
April 28th
... ...
6
2 ...
1
6
3
,,
May 26th
2 ...
5
2 ...
4
7
6
, ,
June 30th
5 ...
17
1
...
7
22
8
,,
July 28th
7
...
11
...
...
7
18
7
, ,
August 11th
1
. . .
3
. . .
. . .
2
4
2
Total (for 32 weeks) 1876...... 17
3 49 12
7 30
69
49
Total for 1875............
... ...
...
...
... ...
35
108
Total for 1874......
... ... ... ...
...
. . .
50
75
and the number of admissions among the Prostitutes will be seen below :—
1876.
January
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July 1876,
Remained
21
24
27
22
33
31
26
Admitted.............
24
29
32
36
28
49
55
Total ................
45
53
59
58
61
80
81
Discharged . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
21
26
37
25
30
54
42
Died........................
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
1
Remaining ..............
24
29
22
33
31
26
38
Total..........
45
53
59
58
61
80
81
9
water from the well had caused an offensive pool of black mud. It is thought
that if this surface were levelled the wastage water might be utilized over a
garden, but in no case whatever should any manure be used, as the water passing
over it would find its way back into the well.
36. The native population in the Cantonment of Belgaum which com-
prises the residents in the Sudder and regimental bazars and Officers' lines are
very unhealthy. Last year the mortality rate was greater here than in the
adjacent town, as it attained the very high rate of 35.27 per 1,000. In 1872 it
was even higher as it then amounted to 37.4 per 1,000. 1875 was the first year
in which a death from cholera was registered, but the fever rate is persistently
high. In 1875 12.38 per 1,000 of population died from this cause. In 1872
the deaths from bowel complaints were remarkably high, 8.4 per 1,000, but during
the last two years this rate has fallen, and in 1875 it was only 2.81 per 1,000.
Young children have always been remarkably unhealthy in the Cantonment.
(I am speaking it will be remembered of the native population.) As in 1872,
38 per cent., and in 1875 the extremely high rate of 46.28 per cent. of the total
deaths took place among children under 12 years of age. Such facts point to
insanitary conditions which I think have been amply shown in the preceding
sections.
37. I will now mention those points connected with the barracks and
native regimental lines which, I think, should be brought to notice.
38. The Artillery barracks are occupied by C Battery, 4th Brigade, R. A.,
which is of the following strength :—
EUROPEANS.
T o t a l .
T o t a l a b s t a i n e r s .
NATIVES.
T o t a l .
REMARKS.
_
C o m m i s s i o n e d O f f i -
c e r s .
N o n - C o m m i s s i o n e d O f f i c e r s a n d m e n .
W o m e n .
C h i l d r e n .
M e n .
W o m e n .
C h i l d r e n .
6
158
16
32
212
16
111
74
91
276
Medical establishment
not included, as they
live in the hosptial
lines.
and the following is the description return of the barracks furnished by the
Quarter Master General :—
BUILDINGS.
N u m b e r .
N u m b e r o f s t o r i e s .
A s p e c t .
DIMENSIONS.
T o t a l S u p e r f i c i a l a r e a .
T o t a l C u b i c s p a c e S u p e r f i c i a l a r e a P e r m a n .
C u b i c s p a c e p e r m a n .
B y s c a l e a n t h o r i z e d t o d a t e w i l l a c c o m m o d a t e .
L e n g t h .
B r e a d t h .
H e i g h t .
Barrack upper
Floor.
1 2 W. 174 24 18 4176 75,168 94 1,708 46
2
2
W. 174 24 18
4176
75,168 94 1,708 46
3
2 &W. 174 24 18
4176
75,168 94 1,708 46
11
42. Contrary to the original design the verandahs .in. the west side of the
barrack rooms on the upper story have been enclosed by corrugated iron sheets
placed below for a height of about 3 feet, and above this are windows which only
open by a sliding frame-work in the centre. This is said to be necessary on
account of the force of the wind and rain, but I think it would have been better if
vertically revolving venetians had been erected in their stead ; such as have
been fitted at the Goculdass Tejpall Hospital in Bombay. It has also been found
necessary to close the ridge ventilators to keep out the rain. The Patcheries
and their outhouses require drainage in the same way as the barracks, otherwise
the arrangements of these buildings were extremely good and they were
wonderfully clean and well kept.
43. I would also notice that only one cocoanut oil light suspended from
the centre of the ceiling is allowed for each barrack room besides 2 wretchedly
small wall lights. These are merely sufficient to cast a gloom over the whole
room at night, and the darkness is calculated to have a decidedly bad effect on
the health of the men as nothing can be more cheerless or dismal or more likely
to drive them out to worse places, whereas if the place were properly lighted
with kerosine oil lights they would find their own barrack rooms more cheerful
and comfortable than any other place and would be deprived of the temptation
to go out.
44. Although it may be thought that the subject does not come strictly
within my province, I would venture to say that the stables are not in my opinion
sufficiently ventilated. The men have to work in them for several hours a day
and therefore I venture to make this remark. The new syce lines were extremely
clean, well kept and are better than most native habitations. Temporary
latrines have been provided for their accommodation.
45. The water supply is obtained from a well on the east of the lines.
The water is said to be always good and abundant. The stable litter is deposited
below this well, I do not think the site a safe one. If possible the litter should
be sold, and if this is not feasible it might be carted to the Government gardens
or in any case it might be burnt.
46. On the whole I consider these Artillery barracks from their situation,
general construction and space most admirably adapted for preserving the health
of the men, and the extremely careful and constant supervision kept over their
cleanliness by the Commanding and Medical Officers tends greatly to prevent the
defects I have named from having that bad effect which otherwise they are
calculated to produce. These evils are however remediable at a not very heavy
outlay, and I trust the suggestions I have made regarding them will be carried
out.
47. The following returns show the number of men, women and children
of the 2/7th Royal Fusiliers present at Belgaum both in the barracks, in camp,
and the Fort On the 11th August 1876 : —
.
Non-Commis-
sioned Officers
and men.
Women.
Children.
Camp
733
93
233
The Fort
.
100
4
10
—
—
Total ... . ..
833
97
243
12
and the native establishment was as under
—
Description.
Numbers.
Puckallies ............................
Quarter Master Esta-
blishment.
16
Hand Bheesties
3
Barrack Sweepers
16
Chowdrie
1
Bazar Peons
2
Halalcore Bheestie Puckallies
Conservancy Establish-
ment.
10
Do.
Hand Bheesties
...
Do.
Sweepers
10
Bildars
2
Filth Carts and drivers
3
Pair Bullocks and drivers
7
48. The description return of the barracks. occupied by the Fusiliers will
be seen by the following extract :—
BUILDINGS.
N u m b e r s .
N u m b e r o f S t o r i e s .
A s p e c t .
DIMENSIONS.
T o t a l s u p e r f i c i a l a r e a .
T o t a l c u b i c s p a c e .
S u p e r f i c i a l a r e a p e r m a n .
C u b i c s p a c e p e r m a n .
B y s c a l e a u t h o r i z e d t o
d a t e w i l l a c c o m o d a t e .
L e n g t h .
B r e a d t h .
H e i g h t .
1
1 S. W. 192½
22
14
4,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
2
1
...
192½ 22
14
4,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
3
1
...
192½ 22
14
7,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
4
1
...
192½ 22
14
4,235 59,290
98
1,289
47
5
1
...
192½ 22
14
4,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
6
1
...
192½ 22
19
4,608 87,552
92
1,751
47
7
1
...
192
22
19
4,608 87,552
92
1,751
47
8
1
...
192
22
14
4,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
9
1
...
192½ 22
14
4,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
10
1
. . . 192½
22
14
4,235 59,290
92
1,289
47
B.
2
S . W . a n d S . 68½ 24
18
1,644 29,592
91
1,644
18
. . .
...
68½ 24
18
1,644 29,592
91
1.644
18
C.
2
87½ 24½ 20
2,143 42,860
97
1,948
24
. . .
. . .
87½ 24½ 20
2,143 42,860
97
1,948
24
...
...
40
24
17
960 16,320
96
1,632
10
...
. . .
42
24
17
1,008 17,136
101
1,713
10
...
. . .
42
24
17
1,008
17,136
101
1,713
10
D.
2
68½ 24
18
1,644 29,592
91
1,644
18
...
. . .
68½ 24
18
1,644 29,592
91
1,644
18
E.
2
72
24
18
1,728 31,104
96
1,728
18
. . .
. . .
72
24
18
1,728 31,104
96
1,728
18
F.
2
68½ 24
18
1,644 29,592
91
1,644
18
. . .
...
68½ 24
18
1,644 29,592
91
1,644
18
G.
2
72
24
18
1,728 31,104
96
1,728
18
.
. . .
...
72
24
13
1,728 81,104
96
1,728
18
K .
2
72
24
18
1,728 31,104
96
1,728
18
. . . . . .
72
24
18
1,728 31,104
96
1,728
18