NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
14
The following is the description return of the Hospital Wards :—
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 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 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 .
1
2
W . N . W
1 3 4
22 13¼ 2,948 39,061
163 2,170
24
2
1
S. W. 53 23 13¼ 1,219 16,151
121
1,615
10
3
2 W. N. W 123½ 24 21
2,964 62,244 164 3,458
24
4
1 S. S. W . 98 24 21
2,352 49,392 2,352 49,392
20
There is much need of a separate word for opthalmic cases and a dark room for
their examination. A laundry, a drying room for wet and damp clothes, and
a foul linen store are much required ; and the medical subordinates' quarters
ought to be enlarged and additional rooms provided if the two hospitals are to be
maintained.
55. Before leaving the subject of the European barracks I would wish
to state my opinion that each building ought, as a matter of precaution, to be
fitted with a lightning conductor, as I was informed that one of these buildings
was struck last year.
56. I think this will be a convenient place to speak of the slaughter house
built for the killing of animals intended for the troops. They are close to
those for the bazar on the south of camp and are situated on open ground between
the tent lascar and the native infantry lines and though the situation is a
good one, the buildings are unsuited for the proper preservation of the meat.
The room where the mutton is hung during the night is a miserable place without
• any proper ventilation. Its four windows are only 3' x 2' and it is altogether
quite unsuited for a hanging shed ; the same objection applies to the beef
slaughter yard. The whole arrangements are necessarily bad ; cattle are stalled
both near the mutton and the beef slaughter houses and the place cannot be kept
clean. The slaughter houses themselves are also bad as they are not spacious
enough and without proper arrangements for the removal of the blood from
the pit on the outside into which it runs. This matter is an urgent one, and
I think that slaughter houses, hanging rooms, cattle sheds according to the plan
of those erected at Ahmednagar are much wanted at Belgaum.
57. The native infantry lines on the south side of camp are the best
have ever seen. They have evidently been laid out with great judgment.
Regarding the lines occupied by the 14th Regiment the only point I need men-
tion is that the cesspool into which the water from each privy runs is too deep,
and that the drains below it and the nullah should be cut off. The privies are
paved in the rear and were extremely clean and free from smell. The lines
themselves were extremely clean, neat, and evidently the greatest care for the
welfare of the men. as regards their dwellings had been constantly taken. The
regimental bazar was also very clean and well laid out and the hospital was
well kept in every respect.
15
58. The lines of the 2nd Prince of Wales Own Grenadiers were also extre-
mely well kept, the plinths of the pendalls are well raised and the ventilation.
in each room though not perhaps sufficient is much better than is usually seen.
in sepoys' huts. The privies of these lines are however extremely bad and were
so offensive that it was almost impossible to go into them. They are on the
standard plan but they are not paved in rear. They exhibited a marked
contrast to those occupied by the 14th Regiment, and were as bad as I have ever
seen ; and they did not seem to me to have been as carefully inspected as those
of the 14th. Pools of urine were found in the front of each compartment from
which a most offensive smell emanated. If the standard plan is adopted the
floors front and rear should be asphalted or at least paved. These privies are
saturated, and I imagine will unless almost rebuilt be always a source of annoy
ance. The camp limits only I am informed extend as far as the nullah running
from west to east along the south front of these lines. I think they should be
extended up to the Khanapur road so as to take in the fields on the opposite side
of the nullah, so that the trench system might be adopted when these privies
chould be abolished altogether. The success of this system which was tried here
by a native infantry regiment some years ago is well exemplified by the magni-
ficent crops now growing in the field on the east of the Khanapur road which
was manured in this manner. The wells in these native infantry lines should be
covered, the water in the one in the 2nd Grenadier lines used by the Purwarrie
sepoys of the Regiment was defiled with leaves and other cutchra.</p>
59. The tent lascar lines are on the extreme end of camp on the S. E.,
they consist of merely mud huts with thatched roofs and are very bad, as they
are built in such close proximity to each other, and as the eaves of the thatch
come down to about 3 feet from the ground there is no ventilation and they are
not proper places for families to live in ; the row of huts on the south should be,
at once removed and placed on the vacant ground on the west, but the huts
should be built on raised plinths and be well ventilated. Their privies were
clean and the filth like that from all the native infantry lines is taken out to
manure yard No. 2 on the Khanapur road.
60. The Fort must be considered by itself as the town lies between it and
the rest of Cantonment. In it is quartered a detachment of the 7th Fusiliers,
108 men strong and their families, and the bungalows in it are occupied by
Officers and their families.
61. The population is said to consist of
—
EUROPEANS.
NATIVE.
Total.
Men.
Women.
Children.
Men.
Women.
Children.
30
31
52
177
57
38
385
This does not include the men of the detachment of the Fusiliersor their families,
&c. The European residents live in 36 bungalows surrounded by large compounds.
The number of cattle in the Fort is stated to be as follows :—
Cows.
Buffaloes.
Horses.
Ponies.
Bullocks.
Total.
2
13
2 3
1
20
59
18
74. In conclusion I would desire to express my acknowledgments to
Brigadier General Kirby and all the officers with whom I was brought into
contact especially to Major Lloyd the Brigade Major for the aid they so kindly
and zealously afforded me during my inspection of the Cantonment of Belgaum.
T. G. HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
Resolutions adopted at a meeting of the Cantonment Committee of Belgaum, on
Saturday the 7th October 1876, on certain subjects entered into in the Report
of the Sanitary Commissioner on that place.
1. In order to improve the state of the privies in the bazar complained of
by the Sanitary Commissioner, the Committee is of opinion that a small house-
tax, or any other tax that Government might approve of, should be levied on
the inhabitants of the bazar to provide funds for that purpose, and also for con-
servancy purposes in general. It may here be remarked that taxes are levied
on the inhabitants of the town but none are levied on those of the Cantonment
bazar, and consequently that many natives leave the former and crowd into
the latter.
2. The Committee considers that it would be very desirable to carry out
the suggestions of the Sanitary Commissioner as to the alterations he suggests
in the gutters, in the bazar, and also as to building stables for the cattle if fends
could be provided for the purpose.
3. The Committee quite agree with the Sanitary Commissioner in the
recommendations contained in paragraph 20 as to the erection of new latrines in
the bazar and the supply of an increased conservancy establishment.
4. The hedges of Officers' compound are regularly cut and rank vegetation
kept down, but as the Sanitary Commisioner visited Belgaum during the height
of the monsoon there was of course grass growing at that time.
5. The Committee concur with the Sanitary Commissioner in all he says
in para. 43 as to the lighting of barracks, as there is no doubt that if the
barracks were better lighted they would be far more comfortable and cheerful
for the men, and this might prevent their going out at night; they are at present
lighted according to regulation.
6. With reference to para. 49 the question of open drains for the
patcheries of the 2/7th Royal Fusiliers has already been referred to Army Head
Quarters, the reason why there were not any iron receptacles under the pipes of
the wash-houses was that the Barrack Department were unable to supply them,
they were being made in the arsenal, and a good many have since been provided.
7. The Cantonment Committee agree with the Sanitary Commissioner in
what he says in para. 59 as to the huts in the lascar lines, this subject was
brought to notice in the last yearly report of the Committee.
8. In conclusion the Cantonment Committee have to state that they have re-
- q u e s t e d t h e C a n t o n m e n t M a g i s t r a t e t o a t t e n d t o a l l t h e s u g g e s t i o n s o f t h e S a n i t a r y
Commissioner which can be carried out without involving additional expense.
J. H. KIRBY, Brigadier General,
Commanding B. D.,
and President of the Cantonment Committee.
No. A-934 OF 1876.
FROM
T. G. HEWLETT, ESQUIRE,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner ;
To
COLONEL MACDONALD,
Secretary to Government,
Military Department.
Sanitary Commissioner's Office,
Bombay, 19th October 1876.
In obedience to the instructions conveyed in paragraph 15 of Government
Resolution, General Department, No. 2617, dated 23rd August 1876, I have the
honor to submit for the information of His Excellency the Governor in Council
the accompanying report on the sanitary condition of the Cantonment of Belgaum
with a copy of the Resolutions adopted by the Cantonment Committee on the
proposals I made.
I have the honor to remark that it would have been an assistance to me if
the Cantonment Committee had taken up each recommendation seriatim and had
stated what measures could or would be taken by it in each instance to remedy
the specific cause of complaint.
I have the honor to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
T. G. HEWLETT,
Acting Sanitary Commissioner.
Military Department.
Bombay Castle,
No. 5151.
25th November 1876.
Letter from the Sanitary Commissioner, No. A.-934, dated 19th October 1876.
Submits a report on the sanitary condition of the cantonment of Belgaum, with a copy of the
Resolutions adopted by the Cantonment Committee on his proposals. Observes that it would have been
an assistance to him if the Cantonment Committee had taken up each recommendation seriatim, and
had stated what measures could or would be taken by it in each instance to remedy the specific cause
of complaint.
RESOLUTION.—The subject of paragraphs 7 and 8 of the report demand the
immediate attention of the local authorities, and a report as to the measures
proposed to be adopted for remedying the existing grossly defective arrange-
ments, and for adopting the suggestion given in paragraph 10, should be submit-
-ted for the information of Government.
2. What is brought to notice in paragraph 12 could apparently be rectified
by somewhat stricter supervision than is at present exercised.
3. For the unsatisfactory state of the compounds as remarked on in paragraph
16, the Brigade authorities would appear responsible. Orders should be issued
for ensuring thorough cleanliness throughout all the compounds in the station.
4. The subject of paragraph 18 should receive immediate attention. It is far
more important that the Cantonment should be furnished with the most suitable
filth cart (similar to that used in the City of Bombay) than that its gardens, roads,
or places of public resort should be improved or beautified. The cost of provid-
ing means for carrying out thoroughly conservancy arrangements should be
treated as the very first and most important charge the cantonment funds should
meet.
5. Want of knowledge of an organised system and of strict supervision
are apparent from what is stated in paragraph 19.
6. All that is stated:in paragraphs 20, 21, 22 and 23 deserve early attention.
7. As regards the suggestion conveyed in paragraph 26, it appears to His
Excellency in Council absolutely necessary that skilled inspectors should be
employed to aid in carrying out the sanitation of the several cantonments on a
uniform system, but until it is ascertained what the cost of such agency
would be, the issue of further orders on the subject will be deferred. The
Quarter Master General should address the Sanitary Commissioner on this
subject.
8. A copy of paragraphs 27and 56 should be sent to the Commissary General.
9. A copy of paragraph 28 should be sent to the Archdeacon.
10. What is stated in paragraph 30 deserves attention. The plea for evading
registration, viz., that the prostitute claims to be kept by a particular soldier,
should not be admitted.
11. Early attention should be called to what is stated in the latter part
of paragraph 32.
12. All that is stated in paragraph 35 should meet with immediate attention.
13. Judging from what is stated in paragraphs 39 to 41 inclusive, there ap
- p e a r s t o b e m u c h r o o m f o r i m p r o v e m e n t i n m a t t e r s i m m e d i a t e l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h
the health of the men occupying the artillery barracks. How such patent defects
B 221—C 1
1
in design and construction could have escaped the attention of the number of
officers whose duty it is to inspect the men's quarters it is difficult to understand.
14. The attention of the authorities should be called to paragraphs 63 and 64-
15. Government will await the report of the Quarter Master General on
paragraph 66.
J. A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government
No. 3839.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
Bombay Castle, 5th December 1876.
Resolution of Government in the Military Department, No. 5151, dated 25th November 1876,
on a report by the Sanitary Commissioner on the sanitary condition of the Canton-
ment of Belgaum.
RESOLUTION.—This interesting report should be bound with the others of
the series in Mr. Hewlett's annual report.
T. D. MACKENZIE,
For Chief Secretary to Government
Military Departments
Bombay Castle,
No. 5570.
16th December 1876.
Letter from the Archdeacon of Bombay, No. 284, dated 8th December 1876.
Referring to Government Resolution No. 5151, dated 25th November last, reports on the
cemeteries in the Belgaum Cantonment, referred to in paragraph 28 of the Sanitary Commissioner's
report.
RESOLUTION.—A copy of this letter to be sent to the Sanitary Commissioner,
with reference to Government Resolution No. 5151, dated 25th ultimo.
2. A copy to be also sent to the General Department, with reference to
paragraph 3 of the Archdeacon's letter.
J. A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government
No. 284 OF 1876.
FROM
THE ACTING ARCHDEACON OF BOMBAY,
To
TEE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
ECCLESIASTICAL DEPARTMENT.
Poona, 8th December 1876.
SIR,
With reference to paragraph 28 of a report by the Sanitary Commissioner of his
Inspection, in August 1876, of the Cantonment of Belgaum, forwarded to me
2
according to Government Resolution, Military Department, No. 5151, dated
25th November 1876, I have the honor to state that the Chaplain of the Canton-
ment of Belgaum reports to me-
I.—That the old European cemetery under his charge is occasionally used
for interments according to the sanction given in Government Order
No. 284 (21st October 1875), and within the limits there assigned;
II.—That this cemetery is at all times kept free from rank vegetation in
both the Protestant and Roman Catholic allotments; and
III.—That the cemetery for native Roman Catholics, of the state and use of
which complaint is made by the Sanitary Commissioner, has never
been placed under the charge of the Cantonment Chaplain.
I have, &c.,
(Signed)
S. STEAD,
A c t i n g A r c h d e a c o n a n d C o m m i s s a r y .
No. 518.
GENERAL DEPARTMENT.
Bombay Castle, 15th February 1877.
Resolution of Government in the Military Department, No. 5570, dated 16th December
1876—Forwarding copy of a latter (No. 284, dated 8th idem) from the Archdeacon of
Bombay, who states, with reference to paragraph 28 of a report by the Sanitary Com-
missioner of his inspection in August 1876 of the Cantonment of Belgaum, that the
Chaplain of the Cantonment of the Belgaum reports as follows :—
III.—That the cemetery for Native Roman Catholics, of the state and use of
which complaint is made by the Sanitary Commissioner, has never been placed under
the charge of the Cantonment Chaplain.
Report from the District Magistrate of Belgaum, No. 404, dated 3rd February 1877.
RESOLUTION.—Government are of opinion that the grave-yard for Native
Roman Catholics should be closed as soon as possible, and a fresh site selected
outside camp limits, as recommended by the Sanitary Commissioner.
E. W. RAVENSCROFT,
Chief Secretary to Government.
Military Department.
Bombay Castle,
No. 2892.
5th July 1877.
Letter from the Quarter Master General of the Army, No. 19-55-2506, dated 26th June 1877.
Reports the action taken to remove the causes of the complaints made in the Sanitary
Commissioner's report on the Cantonment of Belgaum, forwarded with Government Reso-
lution No. 5151, dated 25th November last. States that an increased conservancy establish-
ment for the latrines and bazar has been asked for by the Cantonment Magistrate, and ob-
serves that estimates for carrying out certain miscellaneous improvements will be called for-
so soon as the Public Works Department is relieved from its present pressure of work in
connection with the famine relief works.
RESOLUTION.—A copy of this letter to be forwarded to the Sanitary Com-
missioner, with reference to Government Resolution No. 5151, dated. 25th
November 1876.
J, A. M. MACDONALD, Colonel,
Secretary to Government.
No.
19—55.
2506.
QUARTER MASTER GENERAL ' S OFFICE,
Poona. 26th June 1877.
FROM
THE QUARTER MASTER GENERAL,
To
THE SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT,
MILITARY DEPARTMENT.
SIR,
Referring to the Sanitary Commissioner's report on the Cantonment of
Belgaum received with Government Resolution, Military Department, No. 5151,
of the 25th November last, I am desired by His Excellency the Commander-in-
Chief to report that the Cantonment Magistrate has
Objectionable wells,
been instructed to cause the objectionable wells refer-
red to in paragraph 7 to be closed.
2. The public latrines alluded to in paragraph 8 are under the charge of the
Filthy condition of latrines. Cantonment Magistrate, who states that the establish-
* 4 Carts. ment* allowed for their conservancy is quite inade-
4 Sweepers.
quate to keep them in a proper sanitary condition,
4 lialalcores.
2 Pairs of Bullocks.
and the following is asked for : —
For the Latrines.
For the Bazar.
2 Tank Carts.
6 Carts.
2 Pairs of Bullocks.
6 Pairs of Bullocks.
6 Halalcores.
6 Sweepers.
3. The Cantonment Committee agree with the Sanitary Commissioner in
regard to the provision of additional latrines in the
More latrines required.
bazar ; but, unfortunately, the cantonment fund is
not in a position either to pay the cost of their construction, or to maintain the
necessary establishment for their conservancy.
4. It has from time immemorial been the custom for the inhabitants of
Belgaum to keep their buffaloes, &c., within their com-
Stables for Buffaloes.
p o u n d s . T h e S a n i t a r y C o mmi s s i o n e r s a y i n p a r a g r a p h .
12 of his report that "proper stables outside the bazar should be erected," but it
may be remarked that the construction of stables for such a large -number of
cattle would cost a great deal of money, which is not forthcoming. The General
Officer Commanding Belgaum District, however, has issued orders for a very
strict supervision to be exercised over the compounds in the bazar.
5. All the compounds in, camp are now reported
Rubbish in Compounds.
to be in a perfect state of cleanliness.
6. With regard to the remarks contained in paragraph 4 of the Government
Resolution on paragraph 18 of the Sanitary Commis-
improper mode of disposing sioner's report, the General Officer Commanding Bel-
of the nightsoil.
gaum District states that no money has been expended
from the Cantonment Fund in beautifying the gardens, roads, or places of public
resort, there never having been any available for those purposes.
7. In paragraph 66 the Sanitary Commissioner notices the overcrowding of
the barracks in the Fort : on this point, however, that
Overcrowding of Barracks
n. Fort..
officer would appear to have been under a misappre-
i
hension; as a matter of fact there were only three men
4
in each of the two barrack rooms referred to by the Sanitary Commissioner in
excess of the regulation number. There are, besides, other buildings occupied
by the detachment in the Fort which the Sanitary Commissioner does not appear
to have taken into account when comparing the amount of accommodation with
the strength of the detachment. The General Officer Commanding Belgaum has
been instructed to reduce the men in the barrack rooms to the regulation number.
8. With regard to the Sanitary Commissioner's remark (paragraph 66)
touching the necessity for a M edical Officer being station-
Location. of Medical Officer edin the Fort, the General Officer Commanding Belgium
in Fort.
District reports that both the Commanding Officer and the
Medical Officer of the 7th Fusiliers, on arrival of the Regiment at Belgaum, were
of opinion that it was unnecessary to keep even an Assistant Apothecary in the
Fort, because, when a man is taken sick there is no difficulty in having him at
once removed to the Regimental Hospital in Camp. The "large European
population in the Fort" is in medical charge of the Civil and Staff Surgeon, who
resides near enough to meet all emergencies.
9. Estimates for carrying out the numerous improvements noticed in
.
ts
rovemen
p
m
I
aneous
scell
paragraphs 11, 14, 23,39, 40,41,42,44, 49, 51, 52, 53,
Mi
54, 5-5, 67, 68 and 69, will be called for so soon as the
Public Works Department is relieved from its present pressure of work in con-
nection with the famine relief works.
10. The Sanitary Commissioner has been addressed on the subject of°e
m p l o y i n g s k i l l e d I n s p e c t o r s i n c a r r y i n g o u t t h e s a n i -
Skilled Inspectors.
tation of the several cantonments, as ordered in para-
graph 7 of Government Resolution, Military Department, No. 5151, dated 25th
November 1876.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
( S d. )
ROBERT BAIGRIE, Colonel,
Officiating Quarter Master General.
33 221-e t