105
MEERUT DIVISION.
18. The Alipore Begiment of Aatibe Infantry—Agra.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Daily sick.
Admissions. Deaths.
1870 . . .
Gorakhpur, Dec.1868 . . .
93.9
1.4
3.7
1871 . . .
Ditto, ditto . . .
176.5
2.4
6.2
1872 . . .
Agra, Dec. 1872 . . .
.205.5
1.3
7.2
1873 . . .
Ditto, ditto . . .
161.8
2.
7.1
1874 . . .
Ditto, ditto . . .
.145.2
1.2
4.7
Average . . .
156.58
1.66
5.78
1875 . . .
Baxa, Nov. 1875 . . .
124.79
1.98
4.59
Surgeon H. A. C. Gray,
M.B., reports as follwos :—
I. Medical Officers
.—Surgeon
-Major J. A. C. Hutchinson, M.D.,
held medical charge of the regi-
ment at head quarters (Agra) until
March 1875, when he was re-
lieved by Surgeon S. H. Browne.
In October, Surgeon Browne was
compelled to proceed to Europe
on medical certificate, and was re-
lieved by Surgeon H. A. C. Gray,
M.B., who marched with the regi-
ment to Baxa, Bhootan.
Medical
Officers.
Surgeon French Mullen, M.D. was in medical charge of the detachment at Ulwar;
Surgeon-Major H. Harrison of the detachment at Fatehgarh; and Surgeon James Cleghorn,
M.D., of the escort with the Lieutenant-Governor, North-Western Provinces.
I I . L o c a t i o n a n d m o v e m e n t s . —T
h eh
e a d - q u a r t e r s o f t h e r e g i m e n t w a s a t A g r a u p t o t h e
end of October, when the regiment proceeded on the annual relief to Baxa, Bhootan. A detach-
ment was sent to Ulwar on the 2nd March, and it returned to head-quarters on the 22nd
October. The escort which went with the Lieutenant-Governor, North-Western Provinces, last
year returned on the 9th March. The detachment which was at Futtehghur joined head-
quarters on the 5th April.
1II. Topography and Physical Geography.— Mr. Gray has submitted a
carefully prepared description of the topography of Baxa, but it would take
up too much space if printed. Reviewing the chemical composition of the
rocks and soil, he remarks that the salts of lime are conspicuous by their
absence, while those of magnesia greatly predominate. The water of a stream
that flows to the south-east of the Fort is said to be notorious for producing
goitre, and, as the magnesian salts were in excess in it, Mr. Gray was led
to theorize as to the cause of this affection, but he has not ventured any
opinion regarding it.
V. Lines, barracks and huts.— The lines and barracks at Agra have been described before.
Those at Baxa are in a bad condition. There are 12 buildings made of grass, split bamboos
and mud. Each of these is of the following dimensions :—
Length, 85 feet.
Breadth, 19 feet.
Height of wall to eaves, 7 feet.
Height in the middle to ridge of roof, 14 feet.
Location and
movements.
Topography
and physical
geography.
Lines,
barracks and
huts.
Each has four doors, one at each end and two in the middle, opposite one another. In
fine weather the ventilation is fair, for change of air can occur freely between walls and eaves
through the doors and the crevices in the walls. But during the heavy rains and
storms that are ahead, I can imagine the state of these miserable dwellings: damp roofs
and damp walls (for mud is greedy of moisture), damp clothing hanging on the walls, a
stagnant atmosphere saturated with watery vapour, carbonic dioxide and organic matter, —all
will enter as potent factors in producing disease.
VI. Drainage. —Drainage is very good, as nature has done all that is required. Artificial
drains are cut around the barracks to accumulate the water, give it a more regular direction,
and discharge it through wooden spouts into the ravine to the south of the Fort.
Drainage.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.— For the use of the men during the night,
a grass and bamboo shed was erected 24 feet × 12 feet, and containing 12 com-
partments which were separated by low walls. The " dry earth " system was in
use, and each compartment was provided with two tin receptacles, viz., one for the
solid excreta and dry earth, and the other one was tarred for the reception of
urine. The latrine was cleaned out every morning, and the medical officer reports
that " the arrangement answered splendidly." During the day the men resort
to a piece of ground situated a good distance to the south-east of the Fort, and
the nightso-il was removed from it and thrown into the ravine just beyond. A
urinal was also constructed for the use of the sepoys.
VIII. Water-supply.—Water is obtained from springs; it is clear and sparkling, and very
much liked by the men. The water of one stream to the south-east of the fort is noted for
producing goître. The men do not drink this water, but use it for bathing and cleansing
purposes.
Conservancy
and
latrines.
Water-suppl.
B 1