244
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
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3. The necessity for latrines in large assemblies should be explained, as probably their
use will be new to many. All people should, however, be instructed to use them, except those
who, from their position, would have private arrangements, or to whom they would. be an
actual infringement of personal laws. For people of the latter class a space should be marked
out away from the camp, and sweepers told off to clean up at mid-day and bury. If the
latrines supplied are not large enough, more seats can be added on application. A female
latrine will be required for each of the British camps.
4. Care will have to be taken that the urinals and cartghurs are only used for the pur-
poses intended. It is expected that the common domestic covered basket will be provided for
each tent in a British camp. A separate store of dry earth has been directed to be placed,
under cover, near its main latrine.
5. The Crowley or Sheen patent iron carts will probably be supplied to every British
camp ; the iron receptacles to the Native camps. Receptacles should, however, be placed to
receive the waste from all kitchens : their contents should be removed to the cartghur, where
a separate trench might be dug adjoining, and earth used as usual.
6. No mud should be allowed to collect at any kitchen ; no drainage should be allowed
to stagnate. Where a drain is absolutely required, it should be short, and terminate in a hole,
fresh earth being thrown in from time to time to cover all. Bathing water from tents may be
sprinkled over the ground, or run into a hole where the soil admits.
7. Convenient places should be fixed. on in each camp to which all sweepings and refuse
should be brought : no collection should be allowed at any other place. It is useful to fill up
holes or hollows with dry refuse ; with earth laid over this, new soil is formed ready for culti-
vation. The dung of elephants is useful to lay down on sandy or dusty roads. Sweepings
and refuse should never be allowed to degenerate into dust. Carts for refuse will be supplied
to camps which do not possess their own carriage ; and the cartage should take place at
stated times. Baggage animals and carts, &c., can also be utilised for the removal of
refuse.
8. If animals are slaughtered in camps, a place should be set apart outside their bounda-
ries for the purpose. Blood and offal should be collected in earth-lined baskets, or other
vehicle, and should not be allowed to soil the ground; all should be quickly buried in a trench
as in a latrine. In all these trench operations it may be taken for granted that if flies or
birds are seen about, some slackness exists in their management.
9. Arrangements have been made for the supply of all food grains, fuel, and bazar
supplies generally ; the sale of bad food and liquor should be guarded against; no dirty cover-
ing should be permitted over articles of food; and all connected with its sale and transport
should be properly managed.
10. Nearly all the wells under the trees of the old cantonments contain bad water ; all
on the parade ground, with one or two exceptions, have good water. All the good drinking
water wells have been colored white; the bad ones red. The same plan has been adopted for
the wells in or near the separate camps of the Chiefs. Repairs and additions have been sug-
gested to the copings of the wells, and for facilities in drawing water. The drainage round
wells should be attended to, neither water nor mud being allowed to collect. The good wells
should not be used for bathing, washing clothes or vessels, or watering roads. The watering
of horses and other animals may require attention.
11. Crowding of tents, and of the men inside them, should be avoided. The roadways
and vicinity of tents should be cleanly swept. The camp site and plan should include places
set apart for the different animals ; all should be tethered in separate lines ; crowding should
not occur. The lines should be kept clean, and the litter removed daily. But it is better to
remove baggage animals and cavalry entirely away from a standing camp. Poultry should not
be kept near the main streets. Local arrangements should be made for the collection of all
litter and refuse in appointed places, and for its disposal by sale, burial or burning. Depôts of
wood, grass, &c., ought to be so placed as to avoid danger from fire. Places should be set
apart for cooking, bathing, washing , clothes, &c., &c. The general drainage of the camp, and
of individual tents, should be particularly attended to.
12. If there is time for the organization, sweepers and their supervisors should be detailed
for particular portions of the camp, and made responsible for the good order of their re-
spective beats.
13. Each camp will be expected to make its own arrangement for the supervision of all
the above details. Supervision should be exercised with activity and intelligence, but it
should not assume interference.
14. There are other subjects which may probably occur to medical officers for the benefit,
safety and health of their camps ; but enough has been said to give a general view.
15. Medical officers can make what hospital arrangements they think would be most
suitable for the comfort and convenience of the people composing their camps ; shelter should
always be provided for troops and followers. Advice might be given to the troops and follow-
ers regarding their shelter, clothing, and bedding; they should also be warned to apply early
for medical aid. Vigilance should be exerted for the detection of any disease likely to prove
epidemic, whether among people or animals. The higher classes might be advised to give
notice of the occurrence of any suspicious case among their followers or cattle. On a case of
epidemic disease occurring, due arrangements should at once be made to prevent its spreading.
If any deaths take place, the disposal of the bodies should be regulated.