Meteorology.
Lines, bar
racks and
huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Clothing.
Duty and
employment
176
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Surgeon-Major E. O. Tandy reports as follows :—
Location and
movements.
II. Location and movements .—Head-quarters at Peshawar from 1st January till 31st
December. The following detachments were furnished from head-quarters to the Doaba out-
post as follow :—
Fort Michni
... from the 1st January to 31st January.
, ,
, ,
...
, ,
28th February to 31st March.
, ,
, ,
...
, ,
30th April to 31st August.
, ,
, ,
...
, ,
31st October to 31st December.
,, Shabkadar
...
, ,
31st January to 28th February.
, ,
, ,
...
, ,
31st March to 30th April.
, ,
, ,
...
, ,
31st August to 31st October.
, ,
, ,
...
, ,
30th November to 31st December.
, , Mackeson
...
, ,
29th November to 30th December.
, , Abazai
...
, ,
27th November to 31st December.
IV. Meteorology.—T h e r e
w e r e n o p e c u l i a r m e t e o r o l o g i c a l p h e n o m e n a o b s e r v e d d u r i n g t h e
year, except an unusually severe earthquake at 1 A. M. on the 12th December. The ther-
mometer reached its maximum 102˚ in July, its minimum 43˚ in January. The maximum range
of temperature of 22˚ occurred in March and October; the minimum 12˚ in September. The
observations were taken from a thermometer in the dispensary, hanging against a partition
wall.
V. Lines, barracks and huts.— No alterations have been made in the huts during the year ;
they are in good repair. A large number of trees have been planted and several tanks have been
made pucca.
VI. Drainage.—From the natural declivity of the ground on which the lines are built,
the surface drainage is very good indeed. The ground is kept remarkably clean and dry.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.—The general conservancy is good. The latrines are those
described last year ; they are well looked after and kept clean ; but as no gumlahs or receptacles
of any description are supplied,. there necessarily is always a bad smell from the ground ; they are,
however, separated from the lines by a public road and the parade ground. The latrines in the
lines, of which there are several for native officers and sowars with families, are carefully and
regularly inspected and are never offensive.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Exercise, &c.
Marches and
service.
VIII. Water-supply.— The water-supply is from a well and a tank ; the well is close to the
quarter-guard; the water is of good quality and abundant. The tank is supplied with water,
which, having run through the entire cantonments, in uncovered channels, enters a tank at
the rear of the lines (this was made pucca during the year), then passes by a drain to a second
tank; from this, through rude filters of sand and charcoal, to a large pucca tank. The water of
this tank is very impure, and the men are forbidden to use it for drinking purposes, but the
temptation to do so is very strong, as it is so much more conveniently situated than the well.
IX. Diet.— The diet of the men varies according to their castes. The bazaar supplies are
regularly inspected and are the best procurable. There has been no scarcity ; indeed, provisions
have been cheaper than last year. Under-feeding does not prevail to any great extent among
the men.
X. Clothing.—The only alteration in the regimental clothing has been the issue of a
good, thick, serviceable overcoat to each man.. The men, as a rule, clothe themselves well and
comfortably, and all have a good supply of bedding.
Xl. Duty and employment.— The regimental duties were light ; but there are many station
guards and night pickets. Since the 10th Bengal Lancers marched from Nowshera in October,
the detachments furnished, and other duties performed, by the three cavalry regiments, have
fallen upon the two at Peshawar, consequently, their work was much heavier ; and the average
number of nights in bed, which had been 4 till October, thus fell to 2 . 19 in November, and
2 . 87 in December. At head-quarters, the duties of the detachments were light. It is a pity
that the men should have had extra duties to perform and a reduction of the number of nights
in bed during the most unhealthy months of the year at Peshawar.
XII. Exercise, &c.—The men are not given to the practice of athletic sports when off
duty, nor do they appear to seek amusements. A piece of land adjoining the lines was rented
for the year with the intention of cultivating it and making gardens by the men, but it did not
succeed.
XIII. Marches and service.—No marches were made by the regiment, except the detach-
ments relieving.
Hospital.
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
XIV . Hospital.— The hospital consists of two large wards-58x20 and 41x20, guard
room, dispensary, and four small wards,—one used as a godown, one as a bath-room, the others,
for ophthalmic and other cases, requiring segregation. The accommodation is ordinarily
sufficient; but, during the fever months, tents had to be pitched in the compound. The building
is well raised from the ground; there are no windows, consequently the light is very bad; there
was no ventilation, but during the year, roof ventilators were put up in the large wards. The
present doors are very objectionable ; glazed doors should be supplied.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment—
Present
... ... ... ...
... 388.21
Absent
... ... ... ..
.
...
64.46
Total
...
... 452.67