Topography,
&c.
Meteorology
and climate.
40
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Lines,
barracks and
huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
III. Topography, &c.—Jubbulpore district, one of the largest and most populous in the
Central Provinces, lies between latitude 22°40´ and 24°8´ north, and between 81°6´ and 79°35é
ast longitude, and contains an area of 4,261 square miles. The main body of the district is
a large plain of rich soil, watered by the Nerbudda, the Parel and Hiran. It is surrounded
by spurs of the Gondwana range on the south, by the Bhánrer and Kaimur hills on the north
and west and by the Bhitrigarh hills on the east.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—The climate is salubrious. The rainfall for the year was
56 . 63 inches against 51 . 68 inches in 1875. The months of January, February, October,
November and December were pleasantly cold, and the air invigorating. The hot weather
continued on late into June, when the monsoon broke. Rains terminated in September.
The prevailing winds were from the west, north, north-west and south. In the rains, the
wind varied a few points to the south, and in the hot weather almost as much to the north.
The coldest wind is from the north and north-east. Westerly winds in the cold weather usually
bring clouds and increased temperature. North-westerly winds, usually rare here, prevailed to
a great extent throughout the year. Only during the month of October did a south-east
wind b1ow.
V . L i n e s , b a r r a c k s a n d h u t s . — T h e N a t i v e I n f a n t r y l i n e s a r e s i t u a t e d t o t h e s o u t h - w e s t o f
the station, and occupy a healthy position. The men of the left wing of the regiment dwell
in old Bengal barracks, and those of the right wing in huts built after the Madras pattern.
The huts in the lines are cleanly kept, and all admit of good ventilation. There is some low
lying ground to the west of the parade-ground, which in the rainy season becomes swampy,
but is now quite dry.
VI. Drainage. —The drains of the lines are cleaned out from time to time, and water
is not allowed to collect in them. There are small drains on both sides of the streets,
which empty themselves into larger drains running at right angles to the lines. These
large drains carry the water either into a nullah separating Bengal barracks from
Madras lines, or into large artificial drains which empty themselves into the Shah nullah
which runs directly east of, parallel to, and about 200 yards distant from, the hospital. The
drainage of the station generally is good. The medical officer of the British troops is of
opinion, however, that a thorough system of deep drainage is necessary to dry up the marshy
ground which lies at the bottom of the high ground on which the European barracks and
hospital are built.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.—The conservancy establishment consists of one sweeper
to each company, one to the drummers' line, one to the bazar, and a conservancy cart.
The latrines are of two kinds : the ordinary movable tally and private latrines. The
former are frequented by all the regimental bazar people, but I regret to say not more than
20 sepoys make use of them daily, and most of these come from the barrack guard which
is close by. The latrine in the compound of each hut is cleaned out by private arrangement.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty and
employment.
VIII. Water-supply.—An abundant supply of water is at all times obtained from the
two regimental wells, but the quality of it is decidedly bad. Early in July the water from these
was sent to the Government Analyst, who reported as follows about the first week in August :
"Both waters gave evidence of sewage contamination, but the extent of the contamina-
tion was very small—not more than .05 parts of organic putrescible matter in one million
parts of water. Both waters also contain chlorides ; No. 1 containing 43 parts and
No. 2, 28 parts in one million of water. These chlorides, however, may have their source in
something quite clean and pure, as a bed of subsoil which contains saline ingredients.
I am of opinion that although the sewage contamination in these waters is very small,
yet they should not be used for drinking if other water can be had."
On receipt of this report the wells were closed, and four others in the neighbourhood of
the lines made use of. The water from these four was sent for analysis about the midde of
September, and the following report was forwarded to me on the 14th October :
—
"The water marked B, if filtered sufficiently to remove suspended matter, would be
a fair drinking water , A is suspicious ; C is very suspicious, and D is decidedly bad."
The water marked A was taken from a Government well near the Commissariat cattle
shed, and close to the lines ; B, from the hospital well ; C, from a well in a native garden
near to the lines, and D, from a well on the parade-ground built about two years ago by a few
sepoys. The use of these wells was prohibited, and the two regimental wells re-opened.
Under instructions from the Brigade Office, the regimental well water was again sent for
analysis early in December, but up to the end of the year the result had not been made known ;
I am however of opinion that the water is still unfit for drinking or cooking purposes.
IX. Diet.—Meat of fair quality can be obtained at all times in the regimental bazar,
and native vegetables of every kind are cheap, and the supply abundant. Frequent inspections
of the bazar are made at uncertain periods. There are some cases of underfeeding in the
regiment, owing generally to the existence of large families, and to the sepoys supporting nu-
merous relations, many of whom are able-bodied and quite capable of earning a livelihood.
X. Clothing. —The regimental clothing of the men is suited to the climate of the station,
the season of the year, the state of the weather, and the duties which the men have to perform
The ordinary ankle boots are worn on parade. The undress clothing is not sufficiently warm
for the cold season.
XI. Duty and employment.—The men of the Regiment performed the following duties
throughout the year : Regimental guards and orderlies, station guards and orderlies, regi
-mental brigade parades, fatigue parties, escort and detachment duties. Recruits are drilled