MEERUT DIVISION.
115
from that date to 31st December 1875. Surgeon-Major F. F. Allen, C.B.
has prepared the annual sanitary report.
II. Location and movements.—The regiment remained at Dehra from 1st January to 18th
November 1875, on which date the head-quarters, consisting of 537 of all ranks, marched for
the Camp of Exercise at Delhi. One hundred and forty were left with the depôt at Dehra.
Location and
movements.
V. Lines, barracks, &c.—During the year 20 new barracks have been completed for the
married men. The barracks are on the same plan as those described in previous reports; each
gives accommodation to six families, giving two rooms to each. The huts in which these
families formerly resided were pulled down when vacated, and the ground cleared and levelled.
The ventilation of these barracks, height of plinth, and general accommodation is all that can
be desired. There is no overcrowding in either the married or unmarried barracks. The latter
require repairs to the thatch, and this will be attended to before the rains of the year 1876 com
-mence. They have been frequently described in former reports.
Lines,
barracks, &c.
VI. Drainage.—The drainage of the cantonment and lines is naturally good from the
slope of the ground. Several masonry drains about the lines and bridges have been con
-structed during the year, and this will steadily go on as funds are available until everything
is complete. Several good new roads have been laid out; trees planted along them; drains
cleaned; heads of ravines scarped, to prevent the rush of water in the rains from cutting them
away. The course of the main water-channel through the lines has been marked out; this will,
I understand, be made by the Canal department.
VII. Conservancy.—I have nothing new to add on this subject. The trench system is in
use as previously stated, and dry-earth and disinfectants used in the hospital privy. Disinfec
- t a n t s a r e u s e d h e r e , a s t h e p r i v y i s v e r y n e a r t h e c o o k - h o u s e .
VIII. Water-supply.—The masonry channel (already described in other reports), conveying
the drinking water, works well. The water is pure, clean and cool, and used by the men for all
drinking and cooking purposes. No bathing or washing is permitted near the fountain.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.
IX. Diet .—The men, as a rule, live well; some few men with large families to provide for
are perhaps occasionally somewhat straitened. The Goorkha is very kind-hearted and
affectionate, and many support old parents, widowed sisters and relations. Fish and game
accordingly become of importance to them. A number of guns have been procured, and the men
can indulge in " shikar" when off duty, and thus add many little comforts to their ordinary
diet. They cultivate gardens, and obtain from them onions, radishes, &c., &c.
X. Clothing.—The clothing is appropriate to climate, season and duty. I have frequently
remarked on the boots and their unfitness for the native soldier, who does not wear socks, and
could ill afford to provide them out of his pay. The same remarks still hold good.
Diet.
Clothing.
XI. Duty .—The men have been employed on their ordinary duties, drills, parades, mus
-ketry, and also assisted in the construction of the new barracks for the married men, occasional
repair of cantonment roads, and in cutting grass for thatching the barracks. They also
assisted in the construction of a temporary hospital which has been erected in the cantonment
Number of nights in bed have been about—
H a v i l d a r s . . .
6
Naicks . . .
9
R i f l e m e n . . .
9
Duty.
XIII. Marches.—The head-quarters of the regiment left Dehra on the 18th November,
and marched viâ Roorkee and Meerut to Delhi to join the Camp of Exercise; arrived there on the
2nd December. The regiment formed part of the 2nd Division, and on the 3rd, marched to Na
-raina, about eight miles from Delhi, where the whole of the 2nd Division remained till the 3rd
of January 1876. The Naraina plain is a bare sandy expanse with few trees; the Water was
provided from wells, and was considered good. The men were provided with straw to lie on
in their tents, and the hospital was furnished with tarpaulins and straw. The duty consisted in
the usual field-days, brigade parades, inspections, &c. The sanitation of the camp was carefully
attended to, latrines regularly dug (by fatigue parties) and filled in; urinals in front of the
lines. The filth-cart removed all refuse from the lines to selected spots, where pits were dug
and the refuse buried. The cold was felt, as the wind generally rose about 8 A.M., and swept
over the plain, carrying clouds of dust with it. This cold wind no doubt in some instances
seemed to cause recurrence of ague in men who had been previously subject to it; but on the
whole, during the stay of the regiment at this place, the health of the men may be said to have
been good.
XIV. Hospital.—The old hospital in Dehra is still in use. The old cantonment has now
been made over to the civil authorities, so that this hospital is now in the civil station. The
new hospital (on modified standard plan) is in course of construction, and will be com
-pleted, I believe, in about twelve months more; it will be a great comfort to the sick when it is
ready, for I have frequently described the great inconvenience from the present arrangement.
During the cholera visitation in May, I saw how utterly impossible it was to carry out proper
measures for the safety of the cantonment under these circumstances. The epidemic was very
widespread and fatal in the civil station, and the hospital was in the midst of it. Supposing
Marches.
Hospital.