240
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Locations and
movements.
Topography,
&c.
Lines, Bar
-racks or huts,
&c.
Conservancy,
and latrines.
Latrines.
Lines.
Wat er-suppl y.
Diet.
Clothing.
II. Locations and movements. —Head-quarters, average strength 428.66 men, was stationed
at Dibrugarh during the entire year. Detachment of 2 officers and 252 men was employed
on field service with Duffla Field Force from January 1st to February 23rd. Detachment
consisting of 5 officers and 322 men was employed on field service with Naga Field Force
from February 27th to April 11th. Detachment of 1 officer and 182.41 men at Sachiya and
Pabamukh during the entire year. Detachment of 44 men at Jaipur from 1st January to
27th August. Detachment of 54.77 men at Golaghat during the entire year. The three last
detachments were relieved every six months.
III. Topography, &c.—A description of the topography of this station has
been given in former reports, and nothing under this head has been observed
during the past year worthy of record. The rainfall of 1875 was some 10 inches
below the average, and 35 inches below that of 1874. The meteorological
conditions of the year were favourable to health. Earthquakes were frequent
during the last four months of the year.
V. Lines, Barracks, &c. —The huts both at head-quarters and for detach
- m e n t s h a v e b e e n e n t i r e l y r e b u i l t d u r i n g t h e p a s t y e a r , a n d o n , i t i s s a i d , a m o r e
roomy and substantial plan than before. There was no over-crowding in these
huts. No change has been made in the drainage, but it is reported to have
been most carefully attended to during the year.
VII. Conservancy and latrines. —During the past year a regular system of latrines
has been introduced for the first time in this station. The first plan tried was movable
box latrines on wheels, the night-soil falling into trenches which were filled up and the latrines
shifted to new trenches. This arrangement was found to be impracticable; in the first place,
on account of the number of the machines which would be necessary, and there not being
sufficient money in the local cantonment fund to meet the first cost of even one-fourth of
the number of movable latrines required; and in the next place, the insufficiency of the
establishment required to move such weighty machines daily. The plan finally decided
upon was ordinary trench latrines enclosed within high screens made of mats on a bamboo
frame with pegs to fasten in the ground; when the trenches are filled up, new ones are dug in
another place, and the mat screens are readily and easily shifted to the new ground. This plan has
been found to work admirably; the sepoys and their families resort to them much more generally
than was expected, and appear to appreciate being relieved of the necessity of having to
frequent the patches of jungle in the vicinity of the station, which was the custom hitherto.
The latrines have been maintained in good order since their establishment; but when they
come into universal use, which I foresee they will, an additional staff of mehters will be
required. No special establishment of sweepers has as yet been sanctioned, nor will the local
funds admit of any being entertained. The present latrines are to a certain extent experi
-mental, and are now worked by the sweepers attached to the companies. These men have
already nearly sufficient employment on their legitimate work in the lines. When the latrines
come into general use, additional mehters must be provided; otherwise the latrine system,
instead of being a great sanitary improvement, will become an actual nuisance.
The lines have been kept scrupulously clean throughout the year, all garbage or refuse
matter being removed to ash-pits which are filled up at occasional intervals when necessary.
The men of this regiment do not keep cows or other cattle, and very few poultry. The conse
-quence is that it is a comparatively easy matter to keep the lines clean and orderly.
VIII. Water-supply. —There has been no change in source of water-supply during the
year. It is still drawn mainly from pucka wells. The river was, however, open for a longer
period than usual this year, i . e . ,
f r o m A p r i l t o N o v e m b e r . T h e w a t e r o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e w e l l s
has been of excellent potable quality throughout the period. It has never, however, been sub
-mitted to regular quantitative analysis. During the period the river is open, there is an ample
supply of water for bathing, washing clothes, and such like purposes; in the immediate proxi
-mity of the sepoys' lines, for the remainder of the year, recourse is had to the new channel of
the river, which is, however, more than half a mile distant. There is no necessity for any
special arrangements for watering animals, as few are now kept in the station.
IX. Diet. —All the principal necessaries of diet are supplied by the Commissariat Depart
- m e n t u n d e r t h e s y s t e m o f r a t i o n i n g i n f o r c e f o r r e g i m e n t s s t a t i o n e d i n A s s a m . A l l t h e a r t i c l e s
thus supplied—attah, rice, dhall, ghee and salt—were of unexceptionable good quality throughout
the year. Indeed, only on one occasion was any complaint made regarding the quality of the
rations, and on that single occasion it was found to be uncalled for. Vegetables, fish, poultry
and condiments are procurable in sufficient quantities, but at very high rates. Milk is abundant,
although dear; it is supplied by Nepaulese goallas, who have established themselves near the
station for the purpose of supplying the regiment, and who keep large herds of buffaloes.
These animals are pastured on the rich chur soil lying between the station and the
Brahmapootra river. The milk is of excellent quality. No instance of improper or under
-feeding has come to my notice. Such is unlikely to occur in a corps composed almost entirely
of Goorkhas, who draw comparatively liberal pay, have no thrifty or saving tendencies, and
spend all they receive on their daily wants, without any view to the future.
X. Clothing.—The ordinary green cloth uniform is worn on all duties from latter end of
October to middle of April, with greatcoats at night in the mouths of December, January
and February. From latterend of April to October, light American cotton drill, dyed green,