MEERUT DIVISION. 93
December. A detachment, consisting of the regimental depôt, remained at Delhi Cantonments
from 1st to 24th January 1876. A wing of the regiment was located on the ridge at
Delhi, in tents, from 9th to 25th October, during the time that ague was prevalent in
the regiment. A detachment marched to Meerut on 17th October, and occupied the Native
Infantry lines at that station till the 31st December.
III. Topography and physical geography. —Information under this heading has been pre-
viously given—vide Medical and Sanitary Report of the Native Army of Bengal for 1870,
page 124.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—Observations as to temperature have been taken twice
daily, but the information does not appear very reliable. The rains may be said to have begun
about the 11th July, though there were several showers in May and June. Heavy rain fell on
the 17th and 18th May, and again on the 22nd June.
V. Lines, barracks, or huts.—The regimental lines, &c., have been before described :—vide
Medical and Sanitary Report of the Native Army of Bengal for 1870, page 125, and Annual
Sanitary Report of 33rd Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry for 1875. They are in good repair
and are not overcrowded.
VI. Drainage. — Has been before described— vide Annual Sanitary Report of 33rd Regiment
Native Infantry for 1875, and is satisfactory both as regards the lines and the station gener-
ally. There are no irrigated crops in the neighbourhood of the lines ; the small amount of
canal water which reaches this part of the station being little more than is necessary for
drinking and bathing purposes, for the supply of the gardens of a few bungalows and for the
filling of wells. The sub-soil water is scarcely affected by the canal branch.
VII. Conservancy and latrines. —The regimental latrines have been before described—vide
Annual Sanitary Report of 33rd Regiment Native Infantry for 1875. The lines being within
the city walls, there is no available space for the introduction of the trench system. The pre-
sent plan has worked well, but required much care and supervision to prevent the latrines from
being wet.
VIII. Water-supply. —Water-supply is obtained from three sources—from wells, from the
Canal branch and from the river Jumna. That from the wells is of bad quality, brackish in
taste, and contains a large amount of salt. An analysis was made of water obtained from a
well near the lines in the month of February. This water contained chlorine, estimated as chlo-
ride of sodium, to the amount of 104.4 grains, and a total hardness equivalent to 71 grains per
gallon. The wells are frequently filled with canal water, which improves the quality of the
water they contain. Owing to the aqueduct being under repair, canal water was not obtain-
able in the lines till 25th April. This water, of which there is generally an ample supply,
appears to be of good quality. Water from the Jumna was used to a large extent
when the canal branch was under repair. The wells are used for bathing and washing pur-
poses.
IX. Diet. —Milk, ghee, fresh vegetables and grain are cheap and abundant in Delhi. The
regiment, in respect to the quantity and quality of food consumed, has much improved since it
has been stationed here, and no disease or inefficiency has been noticed as due to under-
feeding.
X. Clothing. —There has been no change in the clothing of the regiment. Greater care
has been taken about the boots with which the men supply themselves, and the result has been
a decrease in the number of cases of blistered feet, the number of admissions during the year
being 23 against 37 in 1875 and 63 in 1874.
XI. Duty and employment. —The duties during the year have been light. Number of con-
tinuous nights in bed, 7.90. The duties at the Camp of Exercise did not cause any increase
in the sickness as there was little night duty, and the parades were not too early in the
morning.
XII. Exercise, amusements, and occupation. —There is not much done in the way of amuse-
ments. A little gardening is done during the rains, and some of the men, particularly the
Rajpoots, Sikhs, and some of the Mussulmans, are skilful wrestlers, and at certain times in the
year have a display of sword and club exercise, wrestling, &c.
XIII. Marches and service.—The regiment was at the Camp of Exercise at the beginning
of the year, and marched back to cantonments on the 25th January. The men appeared to be
benefited by the change and new duties of the camp life.
XIV. Hospital. —The regimental hospital has been before described—vide Annual Sanitary
Report of 33rd Regiment Native Infantry for 1875. It is in a good state of repair, and is
capable of containing 58 patients, calculated at 50 superficial feet for each. When accommoda-
tion for a larger number of patients than this was required, a tent was pitched in the
hospital compound, and, during a portion of the month of September, some patients were
accommodated in a large empty mosque which is situated near the regimental hospital. It
is a fairly suitable building, but is rather dark in the cold weather when all the doors cannot
be thrown open.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strengthof the regiment—
Present
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
629.80
Absent
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
72.95
Total
.
.
702.75
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty and
employment.
Exercise,
amusements,
&c.
Marches and
service.
Hospital.
Sickness, mor-
tality and
invaliding.
Topography,
&c.
Meteorology
and climate.
Lines, bar-
racks, or huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water supply.