NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
fairly accurate, as no corpse can leave the city without passing through a gate
where police sepoys are situated; but the registration of births is most defective,
as the number of births recorded is taken from the reports of the municipal
inspectors. In 1872-73 the birth-rate was stated to be 19.85, in 1873-74 it
was 15.23, and in 1874-75, 13.98 per 1,000.
34. The above brief description will show the present sanitary condition of
the City of Ahmednagar ; and how seriously the public health is affected by it
may be gathered from a perusal of the following tables, which I have extracted from
the returns supplied to the Sanitary Commissioner. The number of deaths
registered in the following years, in the city, were as under ; these statistics are
not obtainable for a longer period :—
Years.
Number of Deaths registered.
Ratio of Deat
hs per 1,000 of Population.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
1872 . . .
736
672
1,408
44.3
41.4
42.8
1873.
.
.
420
384
804
25.27
23.67
24.48
1874 . . .
489
441
930
29.42
27.18
28.32
The mortality was exceptionally high in 1872, which was the famine year. The
different causes of death are shown in the next table :—
Years.
Number of Deaths registered.
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 s .
I n j u r l 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 a l c o m - p l a i n t s .
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 . . .
2
93
690
58
6
559 1,408
0.1
2.9 21.0
1.8
0.2 19.05 42.8
1873 . . .
. . .
3
400
54
7
340
804
. . . 0.09 12.18 1.64 0.21 10.35 24.48
1874 . . .
. . .
1
483
77
7
362
930
. . . 0.03 14.71 2.04 2.21 11.02 28.32
The following deaths were recorded to have taken place at the different ages
below mentioned :—
Years.
B o r n D e a d .
N o t e x c e e d i n g 1 y e a r .
1 t o 6 .
6 t o 1 2 .
1 2 t o 2 0 .
2 0 t o 3 0 .
3 0 t o 4 0 .
4 0 t o 5 0 .
5 0 t o 6 0 .
E x c e e d i n g 6 0 .
T o t a l .
1872 . . .
6
380
405
44
52
81
78
80
122
160
1,408
1873 . . .
2
279
145
20
43
75
40
36
81
83
804
1874 . . .
. . .
326
177
38
37
92
50
53
73
84
939
The ratio of deaths of children under 6 years of age to the total deaths, was, in
each year, as under :—
Years.
Number of Deaths
under 6 years of Age.
Total Number of
Deaths from all Causes.
Percentage of former
t o l a t t e r .
1872 . . .
785
1,408
56.17
1873 . . .
424
804
52.98
1874 . . .
503
930
54.09
12
drawn up; but before it is passed, I would venture to hope that it may be forwarded
to the Sanitary Commissioner for any remarks he may have to offer.
52. In conclusion, I would desire to express my especial acknowledgments
to Mr. Boswell, the Collector, who gave me every assistance in his power, and to
Captain Daniell, the Superintendent of the District Police, who is an active
Municipal Commissioner, and who was good enough to accompany me in one of
my visits to the town: whilst I would again desire to bring prominently to the
notice of Government the enlightened zeal of Mr. Nusserwanji Cursetji, the
Chairman of the Municipal Committee, who also accompanied us round the city,
and to whom I am under Obligation for much valuable information, and who is
ably seconded by the Secretary, Mr. Nusserwanji Cursetji Settna.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
T. G, HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
[Table.
13
Comparative Statement showing the Receipts and Disbursements compared with the
Budget Amount for the Year 1874-75.
No.
Heads.
Actual
Amount.
Budget
Amount.
Increase.
Decrease.
Remarks.
Receipts.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p.
Rs. a. p,
Rs. a.
p .
Opening Balance on 1st April
1874
...
...
...
... 9,208 0 6
7,000 0 0
2,208 0 6
.........
House Tax
...
...
... 9,061 0 4
5,700 0 0
3,361 0 4
. . . . . . . . .
O c t r o i
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
14,528 12 9 12,000 0 0
2,528 12 9
. . . . . . . . .
Bhungi Cess
...
...
... 11,515 4 11
9,000 0 0
2,515 4 ll
..... . . . .
Miscellaneous ...
... . . . 6,565 13 6
3,365 0 0 3,200 13 6
..... . . . .
Total ... 50,879 0 0 37,065 0 0 13,814 0
0
.........
Total Receipts, excluding
Balance ...
...
...
... 41,670 15 6 30,065 0 0 11,605 15 6
. . . . . . . . .
Net Increase.
Advances recovered and Deposits. 2,585 9 0
.....
. . . .
2,595 9 0
..... . . . .
Total Receipts ... 44,256 8 6 30,065 0 0 14,191 8 6
.........
Expenditure.
Permanent Establishment
... 6,897 5
3 6,899 0 0
.....
. . . .
1 10 9
Conservancy and Bhungi, &c. ... *15,120 9 8 14,119 0 0
1,001. 9 8
.........
*This item of actual expenditure
includes the sum of Rs. 1,731-8-6
on account of Bhungi Cess
remission ; hence the Increase
over the Budget amount.
Medical ...
...
...
...
400 0 0
400 0 0
.....
. . . .
School
...
...
...
...
300 0 0
480 0 0
. . . . . . . . .
180 0 0
Vaccination
...
...
...
248 15 2
258 0 0
.........
9 0 10
Original Works ...
...
... 7,358 11 4
8,043 0 0
.....
. . . .
684 4 8
Repairs ...
...
... . . .
3,151 2 9
4,240 0 0
.....
. . . .
1,088 13 3
Tools and Plant ...
...
... 1,715 6 4
2,094 0 0
378 9 8
Total... 35,192 2 6 36,533 0 0
1,001 9 8
2,342 7 2 Net Decrease He. 1,340-13-4.
Advances and Deposits repaid... 2,585 9 0
2,585 9 0
.........
Total ... 37,777 11 6 36,533 0 0
3,587 2 8
2,342 7 2 Net increase Rs. 1,244 11-6.
Closing Balance ... 15,686 13 6
532 0 0 15,154 13 6
........
Grand Total ... 53,464 9 0 37,065 0 0 18,742 0 2
2,342 7 2
Rs. a. p.
Opening Balance... 9,208 0 6
Receipts... 44,256 8 6
Total... 53,464 9 0
Deduct Expenditure... 37,777 11 6
Closing Bolance... 15,686 13 6
B 221—4
( S i g n e d ) N . C U R S E T J E E
Chairman, N. .M.
14
Abstract of Articles manufactured and prepared in The City of Aldnednagar
and Bhingár, 1874-75.
No.
Names.
Average
Value.
Remarks.
Rs.
1,50,000 Sadies and loogdas ...
...
... 4,50,000 Nagar and Bhingár.
2,400 Turbans ...
...
...
3,000 Nagar.
Kumblees, or black blankets
...
...
2,875
,, and Bhingár.
Nagar carpets
...
...
...
1,000
, ,
Brass pots and plates
...
... 1,51,200
,,
Copper pots
do.
...
... 2,88,000
,,
Bell metal
...
...
...
64,800
,,
Kurdy-oil
...
...
...
13,600
„
Oil-cakes
...
...
...
8,100
,,
Snuff
...
...
...
5,400
„
Koonkoo
...
...
...
1,000
,.
Scented iol,. abeer, &c
...
...
500
,,
Burnt bricks
...
...
...
8,100
„ and Bhingar.
,,
tiles
... ... ...
9,000
„
,,
,, chunam
...
...
...
3,840
,,
,,
Gunpowder and fireworks
...
...
4,000
„
Silk, dyed
...
...
... 1,00,000
„
Earthen pottery
....
...
...
2,161
,, and Bhingar.
Total Rs.... 11,61,141
(Signed) N. CURSETJEE,
Chairman, N. M.
Abstract of the Trade Return of the City of Ahmednagar for the Year 1874-75
ending 31 st March 1875.
No. of
Carts.
N a m e s .
Value.
R e m a r k s .
Rs.
49,800 Grain, &c.
... ...
11,51,785 Produce of district.
1,140 Metal
... ...
....
... 2,68,800 Bombay.
1,488 Cloth and yarn
...
...
... 12,28,606
Do.
and district.
5,255 Grocery, &c,
...
... ...
7,40,326 District.
280 Europe wine, ale, and store
...
...
71,500 Bombay.
286 Glass and china, &c,
...
...
46,725
Do.
14,606 Salt, cotton, &c.
...
...
... 24,99,4401 Bombay, Nizam, and District.
570 Dyeing bark and material
...
...
18,300 District and Bombay.
1,125 Building material ...
... ...
27,025 Nagar and Násik.
21,588 Cattle and animals ...
...
...
97,280 District.
9,178 Fruits, melon, and sugar-cane
. . .
. . .
29,562
Do.
5,209 Vegetables; &c.
...
...
...
56,511
Do.
228 Hides and skin
. . .
... . . .
16,296
Do.
31,900 Fodder and fuel
...
...
...
76,200
Do.
Precious metals and stones, &c. ...
... 3,50,000 Bombay and District.
Total Rs...
66,44,566
Articles manufactured, &c., in the city and
Bhingár,
...
...
...
11,16,575
11,16,575...Nagar and Bhingár,
Grand Total Rs....
......
77,61,141
Estimate of a cart with two bullocks, to carry four pullas of 120 seers of grain = weighing average of 1,400 lbs.
(Signed) N. CURSETJEE
Chairman, N. M.
No. 3028.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
Bombay Castle, 4th October 1875.
Letter from the Acting Sanitary Commissioner, No. A-749, dated the 14th August 1875—
Submitting an Inspection Report of the City of Ahmednagar; and stating the sanitary
improvements the Municipality requires.
RESOLUTION.—This, like all Dr. Hewlett's, is a good, full and practical
report.
2. Government have much pleasure in noticing that, as far as the present
system admits, the Municipality of Ahmednagar do their duty well, and, in con
-sequence, the death-rate is not unsatisfactory, being, in the last two years, much
lower than in most cities, notably Ahmedabad.
3. The report should be printed in a form to admit of its being bound up
with the Annual Report of the Sanitary Commissioner. A copy should be sent
to the Ahmednagar Municipality for consideration, with a request that they
will favour Government by reporting what steps they can take to meet the
suggestions of the Sanitary Commissioner. From the efforts the Municipality
have already made, Government are sure that they will do all that lies in their
power, and His Excellency in Council will be happy to give them any reasonable
assistance, both preliminary, by deputing an Engineer Officer or otherwise
to prepare plans and estimates for drainage, water-supply, &c., and also, if it is
determined to undertake any expensive works, by recommending the Government
of India to aid them with a loan. In the opinion of Government, Ahmednagar
is a city in which a thorough sewerage scheme is particularly likely to be suc:
cessful.
4. Government recognize the fact that the raising of funds will be
attended with difficulty, especially as the population is already taxed for
Municipal purposes at the rate of Re. 1-1-0 per head, a very heavy rate for
so poor a place. However, the Municipality has a pretty fair annual surplus,
and a drainage scheme ought to have a large portion of the annual expenditure.
A. WINGATE,
For Acting Secretary to Government.
B 221—1 M
PART III.
REPORTS
ON
CIVIL STATIONS INSPECTED IN 1876.
Satara.
K o l h á p u r
.
Belgaum.
Dharwar
.
Sholápur
.
Bijápur.
B 2 2 1
3
J a n u a r y .
F e b r u a r y .
M a r c h .
A p r i l .
M a y .
J u n e .
July.
A u g u s t .
S e p t e m b e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
Y e a r .
44
. 0 4
. 1 0
. 8 1 1.86
7.32 13.60
7.77
4.37
4.26
1.02
. 0 4 41.99
9. The prevailing wind is westerly, as will be seen from the following
table, which shows the average number of days during a year on which the wind
blew at Satara from the undermentioned points of the compass. The figures are
taken from the observations registered at the Civil Hospital:—
N.E.
East.
S.E.
South.
S.W.
West.
N.W.
North.
32
31
33
29
70
114
23
33
10. The annual mean temperature of the air during the same period was
as follows:—
J a n u a r y .
F e b r u a r y .
M a r c h .
A p r i l .
M a y .
J u n e .
J u l y .
A u g u s t .
S e p t e m b e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
Y e a r .
Maximum . . . 85.5
88.3 93.5
97.4
96.2
87.9
81.9
81.2
81.6
85.5
83.1
82.2
Minimum . . . 61.9
62.9
68.8
74.5
76.0
72.8
70.8
68.6
68.3
68.7
65.1
62.7
Mean . . . 73.8
76.0
81.4
85.7
85.8
80.2
75.8
74.7
74.5
76.1
73.9
22.2
11. The town of Satara was constituted a municipality in 1853, but was
not declared a town municipality under Act VI. of 1873 until 1875. The area
of the town is estimated to be rather more than 1½ square miles, as it extends
from south to north for a little more than that distance, and from west to east it
is slightly over a mile in breadth. This calculation does not include the rural
peth of Raghunathpura, which is situated on the north of the town, and is adja
- c e n t t o t h e f i l t h y v i l l a g e o f K a r a n j i , t h e s i t e w h e r e t h e c a m p o f t h e E m p e r o r
Aurungzib was pitched during the siege of the fort. This hamlet, strange to
say, is not included, as it undoubtedly should be, within municipal limits. To the
east and north-east of the town are the Residency and Civil Station, in which
European and Native troops are quartered, whilst the Sadar Bazar of the
station forms a distinct peth under the Municipality.
12. The station, Sadar Bazar and town cover an area of about 5 square
miles, but there is a large extent of cultivated and grazing ground included
this estimate. A large portion of the town was originally laid out by the late
Major-General Briggs, a former Resident at the Court of the late Rajah of Satara,
and broad roads running from south to north and east to west were constructed
as the principal thoroughfares. There are said to be about 26 miles of made
roads in the town which are maintained out of Municipal funds.
13. It is divided into 22 peths, which vary much in area, population, &c.,
as will be seen from the following table:—
10
So that although from its salubrious climate and from its great natural advantages,
Satara ought to be one of the healthiest towns in Western India, yet it is not;
and that the cause of this is due to the neglect of sanitation, will be seen from the
next table, which shows the different causes of deaths:—
Years
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 s .
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 .
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 s .
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 .
1871 . . .
. . .
. . .
210
1 1 1
19
320
660
. . .
. . .
9.3
4.8
. . .
. . .
28.8
1872 . . .
27
80
359
187
12
389 1,054 1.2
3.5 15.7 8.2
0.5
. . . 46.2
1873 . . .
. . .
7
289
94
15
344
749
. . . 0.29 11.08 3.84 0.61
. . . 30.59
1874 . . .
. . .
2
288
80
11
257
638
. . .
0.08 11.76
3.27 0.45
. . .
26.06
1875 . . .
57
. . .
267
79
13
330
746
2.33
. . . 10.90 3.23 0.53
. . .
30.47
Bombay 1875 . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
1.29
0.38 8.00
3.46
0.44
. . .
28.39
It will be thus seen that in 1875 the town of Satara had a higher, and in 1872
a far higher, death-rate than Bombay in its worst days ever had. The death
-rate of Satara, where there is no over-crowding, where there should be no causes
of malaria, ought never to exceed 17 or 18 per 1,000; but from this statement we
see that during the last 5 years it has never been below 26 per 1,000, the fever
rate varying from 15.7 per 1,000 in 1872 to 9.3 per 1,000 in 1871.
42. 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.
Total.
Total.*
Males.
Females.
1871 . . .
120
145
196
165
. . .
. . .
626
1872 . . .
226
288
233
272
536
483
1,019
1873 . . .
129
168
203
212
371
341
712
1874 . . .
138
169
163
168
335
303
638
1875 . . .
171
157
186
232
368
378
746
*Exclusive of "Still-born."
From this I have deduced the following table, showing the ratio of deaths of
children under 12 years of age to the total deaths in each year:—
Year.
Number of
Deaths under 12
years of age.
Total Number
of Deaths from
all causes.
Percentage
of former to
latter.
1871 . . .
265
626
42.33
1872 . . .
514
1,019
50.44
1873 . . .
297
712
41.71
1874 . . .
307
638
48.12
1875 . . .
328
746
43.97
11
It is sad to think that nearly half of the total deaths occur among the young, and
this statement is the key-stone of the others. The conditions under which these
poor little ones are brought up are so bad that life is cut short. How impure
must be the milk obtained from cattle, who eat human ordure ! How vitiated
must be the atmosphere, when there is no outlet for air tainted with the exhala--
tions from human beings to escape! The table affords matters for most serious
thought, and deserves the best attention of the Municipal Commissioners, who
must remember that their first duty is to provide for the health of the people they
represent.
43. The deaths according to caste 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 a 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 a 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 .
1871 . . .
7
89
497
67
660
*
. . .
. . .
. . .
28. 8
1872 . . .
2
127
921
4 1,054
18.0
44.4
46.5
88.8
46.2
1873 . . .
2
90
653
4
749
7.43
29.04
31.00
75.47
30.59
1874 . . .
3
97
537
1
638
11.15
31.30
25.49
18.87
26.06
1875 . . .
6
107
630
3
746
22.30
34.53
29.91
56.60
30.47
*These details are not shown.
I observe that the members of the Musalman population are dying at a higher
rate than they ought to do. By the Census, if their numbers are correctly reported,
they form only 12 per cent of the population, but in 1875 they contributed 14.34
per cent to the death-rate.
44. The following table shows the deaths, arranged according to months, by
which it will be seen that during 1875, February was the most healthy, and next
to it March ; that the greatest number of deaths took place in July, when 96 were
reported, 30 of which were due to cholera having attained its maximum in that
month :—
J a n u a r y .
F e b r u a r y .
M a r c h .
A p r i l .
M a y .
J u n e .
J u l y .
A u g u s t .
S e p t e m b e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
R a t i o p e r 1 , 0 0 0 .
Cholera . . . . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
30
25
2
. . .
. . .
. . .
2.33
Small-pox . . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
. . .
Fever . . .
19
22
21
15
26
19
21
24
16
29
23
32
10.90
Bowel Complaints . . .
2
3
1
8
6
6
10
10
10
12
7
4
3.23
Injuries . . .
4
. . .
1
. . .
1
. . .
1
2
1
1
2
. . .
0.53
Other Causes . . .
29
15
19
34
29
25
34
27
33
23
25
37
13.48
Total . . .
54
40
42
57
62
50
96
88
62
65
57
73
. . .
45. The receipts and expenditure of the Municipality will be found in the
Appendix, by which it will be seen that in 1853 the income was only Rs. 9,628,
15
assist the work by burning on his premises the refuse that will burn, depositing
the incombustible on the roadway to be removed by the Municipal carts or the
ashes might be collected at the houses by the bhangis and thrown into the night-
soil pan at the privies.
54.
The owners of ruinous houses should be made to remove the debris
and clean the surface, and enclose their properties, so as to prevent their being
defiled.
55.
The following offensive trades should be licensed annually, and should
be removed from the interior of the town, and only allowed on a site to be
approved of by the Municipality :
—
1st—The Tanners and Sultankhors.
2nd—The Potters, Tile Manufacturers, and Lime-burners.
The best place for them would be to the north-east They are causes of offence
and danger, and their places require frequent inspection, and therefore they should
pay a license. Especial care should be taken that the tanneries, &c., are well
drained. The potters, before they leave their present places, should be compelled
to fill in existing hollows with broken tiles, &c., and they should not be allow--
ed to excavate earth so as to leave holes in which stagnant water collects. This
should all be done on a system.
56. The number of Municipal cases tried during the year is ridiculously
small, showing the general want of effective sanitation. I am informed that there
were only 14 summons issued last year for offences against the Municipal Acts.
57. The villages of Karanji on the north, and Godoli on the south-east,
should, if possible, be included in Municipal limits. Karanji adjoins Raghu-
-nathpura Peth, and was, at the time of my inspection, in a filthy state. It con-
- t a i n s 3 2 8 h o u s e s , i n w h i c h 2 , 2 0 4 p e r s o n s r e s i d e . I o b s e r v e t h a t i n t h i s v i l l a g e t h e
females exceed the males, there being 752 females to 719 males. There are also
a large number of animals, as will be seen from the following table :—
Bullocks.
Cows.
Bull
Buffaloes.
Milch
Buffaloes.
Horses.
Mares.
Asses.
Sheep and
Goats.
Total.
422
145
84
139
14
1
60
86
951
In this village and that of Godoli, prostitutes are said to live in addition to the
365 who reside in the town. These women are the cause of the great prevalence
of syphilitic disease in camp.
58. The registration of births and deaths should be improved. Every
house-owner under a penalty should be obliged to report the occurrence of a birth
or death in his house to the nearest Police station. No hardship could accrue,
as in no case would the house-owner have occasion to walk more than ¼ of a
mile, if so far ; the Police would then visit the house and take down the particu-
- l a r s . T h i s m a t t e r i s m o s t i m p o r t a n t . A l l o u r d e d u c t i o n f o r t h e g o o d o f t h e
people depends on a correct registration of the number of births and deaths, and it
is hoped that this simple remedy may be applied. Half the fine inflicted for
16
neglect of this registration might be allowed to go to the informant ; at the same
time, as a further check, every graveyard or cremation ghat should be registered,
and the person in charge should be compelled to keep a correct account of the
number of bodies disposed of, and to furnish a record of the necessary particulars
regarding such to the Police.
59. There is much need of a proper mutton slaughter-house ; the present
place is very bad. The steps leading down to the reservoirs of the Mahardara
water should be at once closed ; if people want to draw water from them, it should
be drawn by means of an iron chain and iron bucket.
60. As an essential part of good Municipal government the streets should
be named and the houses numbered.
61. I cannot, in conclusion, do better than recommend the frequent lime
washing of the interior of houses, as the application of lime effectually destroys
oranic g e rms. This should be done at least twice a year—at the Dewali and in
organic
the hot season.
T. G. HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
Bombay, 24th August 1876.