NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
RECEIPTS.
Amount.
Total.
DISBURSEMENTS.
Amount.
Total.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Brought forward Rupees...
. . . . . .
19,700 15 7
Brought forward Rupees
...
16,803 15 6
D.— Public Instruction—Buildings.
Repairs to the Girls' School ...
...
...
21 15 3
Maintenance of Educational Institution.
Contribution towards Girls' School
...
...
200 0 0
221 15 3
E.—PUBLIC CONVENIENCE.
P U B L I C W O R K S .
Original Communications.
Kulkarni Gullee Road ...
...
...
...
416 15 8
Deshpond Gullee Road ...
...
...
...
383 8 7
Narwekar Gullee Road ...
...
...
...
121 12 7
Chawat Gullee Road
...
.... ... ...
208 14 10
Shairkhan Road ...
...
...
...
...
130 2 8
1,261 6 4
Repairs.
Un-made Roads ...
...
...
...
...
11 10 0
Made Roads
...
...
...
...
... 1,502 0 8
Watering and Preserving Road-side Trees ...
161 4 10
Dharamshalas ...
...
...
17 5 6
Police Chowkis ...
...
...
...
59 6 10
Municipal Office ...
...
...
...
...
22 10 6
Cattle-Pounds ...
...
...
...
8 13 0
1,788 3 4
18
Belgaum, Municipal Office,
8th August 1876.
(True Copy)
R. C. RICHARDSON,
Chairman, Belgaum Municipality.
Other Charges.
Miscellaneous Establishment ...
...
...
61 3 7
Contingencies ...
...
...
...
. . .
94 6 8
Printing Charges
...
...
...
...
. . .
241 11 5
Dead Stock
...
...
...
...
. . .
102 2 0
Court Fee ...
...
...
...
...
. . .
0 4 0
Stamps and Postage
...
...
. . .
. . .
1 6 0
Belts for Peons ...
...
...
...
...
18 3 0
Rent for the land used by the Municipality ...
134 8 0
Killing ownerless and stray Dogs
...
. . .
23 13 4
Cleaning the Nalla at Bogarvis ...
...
. . .
. . .
15 1 0 0
Miscellaneous
...
...
...
...
. . .
217 4 11
F.—Debt.
Advances Repayable
...
...
...
...
151 0 0
1,061 8 11
Total Receipts
. . .
. . . . . .
19,700 15 7
......
21,132 1 4
Total Expenditure
...
Balance in hand at the close of last year
...
......
5,248 2 1
Actual Municipal Balance
. . .
. . . . . . .
3,817 0 4
Grand Total Rupees
...
......
24,949 1 8
Grand Total Rupees
...
......
24,949 1 8
19
20
No. 1997 of 1876.
FROM
THE PRESIDENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF BELGAUM,
To
T. G. HEWLETT, ESQUIRE,
Sanitary Commissioner, Bombay,
Belgaum, Collector's Office,
12th October 1876.
SIR,
In returning the accompaniments to your letter No. 8976, dated 8th ultimo,
I have the honour to inform you that the Municipal Commissioners have duly
considered the report that you have made on the sanitary condition of the town
of Belgaum, and have passed the resolutions which are annexed to this letter.
2. I beg at the same time to offer the following remarks on the sugges--
tions which you have made.
3. The Civil Surgeon has been requested to take steps to procure the
necessary apparatus for analysing the water of the different wells ; but he informs
me that there is no testing-box in his charge, and that as only one is allowed for
several stations in the Deccan and Southern Mahratta Country, he cannot say
when he can carry out my wishes.
4. I entirely agree with you that a fresh water-supply to this town would
be an immense benefit to its inhabitants ; but at present it is quite beyond the
means of the Municipality. It is not even known that water can be found in
the neighbourhood, and under any circumstances it could not be introduced
under a cost of two or three lakhs. The Municipality could not even afford the
expense of a survey for the purpose.
5. Your remarks regarding the privies in the town have received the full
consideration of the Commissioners, and I wish it was as obvious to them as it is
to you and the European members of the Municipality how objectionable the
present system of disposing of the night-soil must be. It has been with very
considerable difficulty that I have induced the Municipality to consent to a
Halalkor Cess being imposed at all ; and to close many of the pit privies and
induce persons to make use of either public or punch privies, or bhunghi privies
in their own premises, must be a work of time. It will of course be possible for
the Municipality to erect more public latrines as soon as their funds will permit
them to do so, and perhaps one or two blocks may be added to the town every
year. As these latrines are constructed and people use them, pit privies may
be closed ; but I foresee many difficulties in substituting bhunghi privies for pit
privies, because, as you say, there are few sweepers' gullies and it will be difficult
to make them in many places. This system of pit privies has existed in Bel-
-gaum from time immemorial, and it is almost impossible to convince the people of
the objections to it, The Municipality have already taken steps to procure night-
soil carts of an improved pattern. One is now on its way from Bombay, and
others will either be made here or ordered as may be found desirable. I am
afraid the plan of sewage drainage recommended in your 42nd para will be quite
beyond the means of the Municipality for many years to come.
6. The Municipality has lately engaged the services of a Health Superin--
tendent, Mr. Baretto, who has been in the service of the Poona Municipality for
several years. He seems a very active officer, and I have no doubt that under
21
his superintendence there will be a great change for the better in the scavenger
-ing arrangements of the town. The Municipality have lately engaged the services
of 13 additional sweepers, and they may eventually increase the number of carts
to 12. The carts now in use cannot at present be changed as they have been
engaged on a contract which has still 4 years to run. It will be necessary to
see how the Halalkor Cess works before the number of sub-inspectors, mucka
-dums and bhunghis can be increased.
7. Your suggestions regarding the disposal of night-soil and sweepings,
the markets, and other matters will engage the best attention of the Co
m - m i s s i o n e r s .
8. I may add that I agree with the Commissioners that it is quite impossi
- b l e t o p r e v e n t t h e o w n e r s o f c a t t l e f r o m k e e p i n g t h e m i n t h e i r h o u s e s a n d t o
require them to build stables. It should be remembered that Belgaum contains
a large number of agriculturists whose cattle in many instances constitute their
sole wealth. The number of animals in the town alone shows how impossible
it would be to build stables for them even if the necessary space was available.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
A. GREY,
Collector and President.
Resolutions passed at a General Meeting of the Municipal Commissioners
held on the 6th October 1876 :—
I. An addition to be made to the existing number of public latrines as
the state of the funds will allow, to be erected at such convenient places within
municipal limits as the local body may select. That persons using these latrines
be required to pay a Halalkor Cess.
II. The existing pit privies be replaced by bhunghi privies in such places
within the town where the Municipality may determine that the change can be
effected without seriously inconveniencing the inhabitants of the premises in
which the privies are situated.
III. A Halalkor Cess to be imposed on residents within the municipal
limits at the rates not exceeding those specified below, to be introduced gradually
at the discretion of the Municipality, who shall have the power to lower or remit
the tax in such instances in which they consider that the means of the house--
holder are not sufficient to enable him to pay it :—
Houses or lodgings occupied by more than 12 persons, Rs. a. p.
per house per month . . . 1 0 0
Do. do. 12 and more than 9 do. . . . 0
1 2 0
Do. do. more than 6 up to 9 do. . . . 0 8 0
Do. do. more than 4 up to 6 do. . . . 0 6 0
Do. do. more than 2 up to 4 do. . . . 0 4 0
Do. do. one or two do. . . . 0 2 0
IV. The number of dust-bins in the town be increased.
V. The surface conservancy establishment to be increased by 13 sweepers.
The number of carts may be gradually increased to 12 as funds will admit.
VI. The suggestions of Dr. Hewlett regarding the building of new houses
to be followed as far as possible.
B 383—f
22
VII. The suggestion of the Sanitary Commissioner that the keeping of
cattle inside houses should be at once stopped and the owners compelled to build
stables for their accommodation outside is considered quite impracticable.
VIII. The tanners' and dyers' places to be inspected and the owners required
to take out a license.
IX. The Committee are of opinion that at present the compulsory regis--
tration of births and deaths would not ensure more accurate returns, and prefer
the system which has been lately introduced by the District Magistrate, of divid--
ing the town into sub-divisions and having the registration carried out syste-
matically by the Police.
X. A new site to be selected for the beef slaughtering-place.
X.I. The suggestions regarding the markets to be adopted.
A. GREY,
Collector and President.
4
men have cattle-stables close to their houses. For example, one of the Munici-
pal Commissioners, Mr. Vyasrao Ramrao Desai, keeps a large number of cattle
in a shed adjoining his house, the atmosphere in which was so offensive that
I was unable to stop there. No means of ventilation had been provided, and
there were no drains by which the urine from the animals could run off, and
the dung fell on to the floor and had not been removed at the time of my visit.
Again, another Municipal Commissioner, the Rao Saheb Shrinivasrao Hanumunt,
the Government Pleader, has built a magnificent durbar room over his cattle
stable. The atmosphere in the latter was so tainted with ammonia, and occasioned
such an immediate pain in my lungs, that I was unable to breathe it, and was glad
to get out into the external air. I am sure I have only to bring this matter
thus prominently to the notice of the two very intelligent gentlemen I have
named to convince them that animals kept in such an atmosphere cannot enjoy
perfect health, and that their milk cannot be wholesome or pure, or even free
from danger to health, so that as the milk is the principal food of the young, the
greatest care should be taken by all to provide it in the purest state possible, and
such can only be done by allowing a greater amount of fresh air to each
animal. I am aware that the ignorant herdsman believes that such a stifling
atmosphere is necessary for his milch cattle to yield an abundant supply of milk.
It is; indeed, very probable that the circulation, highly excited and stimulated by
an impure atmosphere may, for a time, induce a greater amount of secretion; but
it renders the milk impure, and, if given to children, the seeds of disease and
death may be sown. I would, therefore, strongly advise that instant action be
taken to provide both for the houses and the cattle sheds a greater means of
ventilation. For the houses, windows not less than 2 x 3 feet should be let into
the external walls. For the tiled roofs, openings such as are usually made in cook
-
houses should be made, the roof should be raised about 6inches for a length of about
4 feet, so that whilst there would be a ready escape for the fouled air there
would be no chance of thieves being able to get in. For the flat mud roofs the
arrangement I have seen in Persia might be adopted, viz.—a door, open entirely on
one side, although barred, is built over a central opening in the roof; this opening
is about 3 feet square, and in the event of cattle-stables being allowed under in
habited rooms—which they certainly ought not to be—then not only should the
external walls be pierced so as to allow a current of air to pass-through, but air-
shafts, one foot square, should be carried up from the four corners of the ceiling,
and be continued through the upper rooms out into the external air above the
roof; these cases should be very exceptional.
11
25. The station is kept pretty clean ; but I was disappointed at seeing the
private bunghies burying, or rather depositing, the night-soil from the bungalows
in the hedges, in the very close proximity to houses ; and I was not surprised to
hear that some persons had lately died of typhoid fever. This practice should
be stopped. A halalcore cess might be imposed on the residents of the fort and
station, as is done in Bombay ; and the stuff should be deposited in a cart and
carried away.
36. The police are quartered in the old Native Infantry Lines, many of
the old huts in which have been pulled down, and the ground has been partially
cleared. The premises were clean ; but the huts are not, in my opinion, sufficiently
good for sepoys to live in.
37. Dr. Sylvester was kind enough to take me over the Civil Hospital, in
the compound of which there are some cells devoted to the custody of lunatics.
I was glad to hear that it was proposed to place the Civil Hospital in the fort, a
spot so much nearer the town that its benefits will be much more widely ex
-
tended, and then there will be space sufficient on the site of the present Civil
Hospital to build a central lunatic asylum, which is evidently much needed. I
also went over the jail, and was much pleased with the order, neatness, and great
attention paid to sanitary measures in it. The trench latrine in the grounds
were wonderfully well kept, and there was no odour of any kind perceptible.
38. The accounts of the municipality will be found in the Appendix. It
will be seen that, during 1875-76, Rs. 7,448-10-1 were spent on sanitation.
39. I have been favoured with a copy of the bye-laws which are in opera
-
tion in Dharwar, and I generally approve of most of these provisions ; and this is
the first town which I have inspected which carries out the system I have so
often before recommended, regarding the registration of births and deaths, viz.,
the compulsory registration by the principal occupant of a building to report,
within a specified time of the occurrence of a birth or death taking place in the
house in which he resides.
40. Such is a brief account of the sanitary condition of Dharwar as I saw
it at my inspection in August 1876.
41. The birth-rate during the last two years has been—
Years.
Total Number of Births registered.
Ratio per 1,000 of Population.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Tot al .
1874 . . .
254
287
541
18.05
21.95
19.94
1875 . . .
381
370
751
27.09
28.30
27.68
42. The number of deaths registered in the following years in Dharwar
will be seen below
Years.
Number of Deaths registered.
Ratio of Deaths per 1,000 of Population.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
1872 . . .
280
286
566
23.0
23.7
23.3
1873. . .
300
273
573
21.33
20.88
21.12
1874. . .
255
286
541
18.13
21.87
19.90
1875 . . .
358
337
695
25.46
25.78
25.61
12
And the different causes of deaths are shown in the next return :—
Years .
Number of Deaths from specified Causes.
Ratio of Deaths per 1,000 of Population.
C h o l e r a .
S m a l l - p o x .
F e v e r .
B o w e l C o m - p l a i n t .
I n j u r i e s .
O t h e r C a u s e s .
A l l C a u s e s .
C h o l e r a .
S m a l l - p o x .
F e v e r .
B o w C o m - p l a i n t .
I n j u r i e s .
O t h e r C a u s e s .
A l l C a u s e s .
1872 . . .
. . . 33
230
117
12
174
566
. . .
1.4
9.5
4.8
0.5
7.17
23.3
1873 . . .
. . .
7
253
92
13
208
573
. . .
0.26
9.33
3.39
0.48
7.66
21.12
1874 . . . . . .
13
268
44 11
205
541
. . .
0.47
9.88
1.62
0.41
7.55
19.90
1875 . . . 55
2
369
44 12
213
695
2.03
0.07 13.60
1.62
0.44
7.85
25.61
The above table shows that there is a persistently high death-rate from fever,
and unmistakeably points to the insanitary conditions I have shown to exist in
and around the houses the people live in.
43. The deaths according to the castes are thus classified :—
Years.
Number of Deaths registered.
Ratio of Deaths per 1,000 of Population.
C h r i s t i a n s .
M u s s u l m a n s .
H i n d u s .
O t h e r C l a s s e s .
T o t a l .
C h r i s t i a n s .
M u s s u l m a n s .
H i n d u s .
O t h e r C l a s s e s .
T o t a l .
1872 . . .
2
138
418
8
566
These details are not obtainable.
23.3
1873 . . .
5
138
427
3
573
10.53
20.30
21.02
107.14
21.12
1874 . . .
. . .
151
381
9
541
. . .
22.22
19.21
. . .
19.90
1875 . . .
5
214
466
10
695
10.53
31.48
24.74
357.14
25.61
As is very usually found, the death-rate among the Mussulman population is in
excess, and either the census return of their number is incorrect, and consequently
they show a higher death rate per 1,000, or the secluded life their women and chi
l - d r e n l e a d , p r o d u c e s i t s u s u a l s e q u e n c e o f b a d h e a l t h a n d p r e m a t u r e d e a t h . T h e
great sanitary good effected by plenty of light and plenty of air in inhabited
houses can never be too frequently taught, and I trust that this return will enable
the Municipal Commissioners to introduce bye-laws regulating the admission into
the interior of houses of these two great essentials to the preservation of health.
44. The deaths were recorded to have taken place at the different ages below
mentioned :—
Years.
Infants
(Children
unable to
walk.)
Boys and
Girls.
Adults.
Old People.
T o t a l . *
1872 . . .
56
122
240
128
Males.
Females.
Total.
264
282
546
1873 . . .
62
117
228
153
294
266
560
1874 . . .
57
126
232
126
255
286
541
1875 . . .
99
153
295
148
358
337
695
14
2. That existing cattle-stables, if not removed, be ventilated and drained.
3. That the steps leading to the wells be closed, and that the water in them
be drawn up by a Persian wheel, the appurtenances of which should be
made of iron, by which the water should be led into a covered reservoir,
from which it should be drawn off through brass cocks. If this is done,
rests for the water vessels to stand below the cocks should be provided.
4. That the system of lining the road-side gutters with slabs, be extended,
if U-shaped stone or brick drains cannot be provided, and that these
gutters, except at entrances into shops, be kept open.
5. That more ventilation be provided in the beef slaughter-house, and that
the offal from it and mutton dressing-shed be buried in trenches and
covered over with earth daily ; and that a proper slaughter-house for
sheep be erected, and that the flagging of the dressing-shed be com-
pleted.
6. That the pits in which cutchra is deposited be closed, and that it either
be burnt and the ashes thrown into the pit privies, or that it be carted to
fields on the east side of the town and there deposited ; but that it be
no longer deposited on the west, and that the existing hole near the
police station by the side of the road leading to Hebli Bahuti be closed.
7. As regards the fort
That a public latrine be provided for the use of servants living there.
That the ground around the tank, from which the drinking water
is drawn, be more strictly conserved ; that the servants' privies im-
mediately over the tank be removed, and that the urine, &c., from
the stables and the liquid refuse from cook-houses be conveyed
away by a drain, or be received into iron vessels and removed daily.
That servants be not allowed to wash just over the tank.
That no rank vegetation inside the fort be allowed.
That the police be instructed to prevent the glacis being defiled as
at present.
That access to the trenches be prevented by walling up the entrance
to them, and that, if possible, they be filled in.
8. That the station conservancy be more strictly looked after, and that the
bhungies be no longer allowed to throw the night-soil from each house
into the hedges, but that a tank-cart be provided, to which this filth
could be brought, and that it be carried away to the east of the town.
9. That the debris of the old huts in the police lines be cleared away, and
that the lines be enclosed and better huts provided.
10. That a central lunatic asylum be built.
11: That the suggestion made that the Civil Hospital be removed into the
old Native Infantry Hospital in the fort be adopted.
47. In bringing this report to a conclusion I would desire to express my
thanks to Mr. Robertson for the aid he afforded me during my inspection ; and
my acknowledgments are also due to the energetic chairman of the Municipal
Commissioners, Mr. Deputy Collector I. Dracup, who accompanied me on most of
my visits to the town, and who took great pains to supply me with the informa-
tion .I required.
T. G. HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
STATEMENT of Receipts and Disbursements of the Dharwar Municipality for 1875-76.
Receipts—Heads of.
Disbursements—Heads of.
Rs. a. p. Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p. Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Balance on hand at the close of last year—
A.—General Establishment —
1. Deposit
...
...
...
...
225 11 4
1. Head Clerk ...
...
...
...
360 7 8
2. Actual Municipal Balance
...
...
1,414 4 5
2. Office Establishment ...
...
...
434 7 8
1,639 15 9
3. Inspection do.
...
...
...
621 3 1
Receipts.
4. Public Works do.
...
...
...
563 11 6
5. Collection Establishment
—
A.—Municipal Taxes—
1. Wheel Tax Establishment
... 22 9 4
1. Octroi—
.....
2. House Tax do.
... 164 11 0
1. Sugar, &c. ...
...
...
2. House Tax ...
...
...
...
...
7,956
2,641
3
6
0
8
3. Office Establishment
... 91 4 6
278 8 10
3. Wheel Tax ...
...
...
...
575 6 2
2,258 6 9
4, Assessed Taxes
...
...
...
......
B.—Public Safety
—
11,172 15 10
1. Police
—
1. Police Station Houses
...
...
281 7 4
B. —Mi scel l aneous Recei pt s—
2. Fire ...
...
...
...
...
......
1. Fees for Sale of Poisonous Drugs...
15 0 0
3. Lighting
—
2. Do.on Tobacco and Snuff.
730 0 0
1. Kerosine Lamps
—
3. Do. of Cattle ...
...
800 0 0
1. Establishment
...
... 139 0 0
4. Proceeds of Land, &c.—
2. Lamps ...
...
... 501 11 5
1. Sale of Land in perpetuity ... 35 7 9
3. Contingencies
...
... 18 4 3
2. Rent of Sites and Buildings ... 30 0 0
4. Posts and Lamps, repairs to ... 81 13 3
3.Fees on Booths in streets
... 136 5 0
740 12 11
4. Grazing Dues
...
... 351 6 4
2. Cocoanut Oil Lamps—
5. Miscellaneous
...
. . .
. . .
1. Lamps ...
...
... 106 3 10
553 3 1
2. Contingencies
...
... 1 14 0
2,098 3 1
3. Posts and Lamps, repairs to ... 1 14 0
109 15 10
14,911 2 8
4. Destruction of stray Dogs
...
...
......
5. Pulling down dilapidated Walls, &c.
. . .
5 8 6
6. Purchase of Snake Antidote
...
...
12 12 0
1,150 8 7
3,408 15 4
Carried over...
...
......
14,911 2 8
Carried over...
. . .
......
3,408 15 4
15
Receipts—Heads of,
Disbursements—Heads of.
Rs. a. p. Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p. Rs. a. p. Rs. a. p.
Brought over...
...
..
14,911 2 8
Brought over...
. . .
...
3,408 15 4
B.—Miscellaneous Receipts— continued.
C.—Public Health
—
5. Income from Markets, &c.—
1. Buildings and other Works—
1. Rent of Market Shops
356 12 4
1. Original
—
.2. Slaughter-house Receipts
421 5 6
1. Market
704 9 7
778 1 10
2. Cholera Hospital
786 0 0
6, Scavenging Department—
3. Slaughter-house
85 12 0
1. Sale of Night-Soil. 12 13 0
4. Latrines
25 7 1
.
2. Do. Street Refuse
140 0 0
5. Lal Tank
491 10 3
15.2 13 0
..
6. Moti Tank
832 8 6
7. Municipal Fines—
7. Culverts and Drains
705 13 9
1. On account of Nuisances
4 4 0
.
8. Other Minor Works
90 14 11
2. Do. other Breaches of Rules
10 11 0
3,722 12 1
3, Do. Stray Cattle . 264 3 0
4. Departmental Fines
0 10 2
2. Repairs
—
279 12 2
1 Market...
171 11 8
8. Sundry Receipts—
2. Drains and Culverts
42 12 0
1. Sale of Stray Cattle
158 13 0
3. Moti Tank
89 7 9
2. Do. Loppings of Roadside
4. Other Tanks and Houds
1 8 6 3
Trees
62 4 4
5. Public Wells
37 8 1
3. Do. old Stores and Materials. 89 4 41
.6. Other Minor Works. 73 7 0
4. Interest
0 5 5
433 4 9
5. Cash Recoveries on account of
4,156 0 10
excess payments
30 2 0
.
6. Miscellaneous
84 4 6
7,565 0 2
425
1 7
1,635 12 7
16,546 15
3
C.—Debt
—
1 . D e p o s i t —
2. Maintenance of Medical Install-
]. From Contractors
...
... 1,047 0 0
tions-
......
2. Arrears of Octroi Duty partly re-
3. Vaccination-
covered
...
...
... 56 4 0
1. Establishment
264 0 0
3. Miscellaneous
87 6 6
2. Contingencies
3 4 0
1,190 10 6
267 4 0,
16