PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE.
177
made in them. They are decidedly overcrowded during the winter months. In the hot
weather the men usually sleep in the open, and during the autumn under tents, so that at
these seasons no inconvenience is felt in this respect.
VI. Drainage.—No alteration has been effected in the drainage of the station. It was
well looked after and was thoroughly effective during the past year.
Drainage.
VII. Conservancy and latrines. —The conservancy of the lines and station is under the
immediate superintendence of the quartermaster and an efficient staff. The drains in the
fort were thoroughly cleansed and flooded twice daily, besides being whitewashed frequently.
There is no system of latrines either for the men or civil population. The former all resort
for the purposes of nature to the open ground to the south of cantonments. This land is
under cultivation, and all ploughed up in the spring and autumn. It is situated a considerable
distance from the station, and guarded by sentries morning and evening for the purpose of
preventing the intervening space of ground being soiled. No inconvenience has been felt
from this arrangement. A small latrine, constructed for the convenience of the men on guard,
and the one attached to the hospital, are the only exceptions to the above arrangement.
Conservancy
and latrines.
VIII. Water-supply.—The drinking and cooking water is drawn from wells in canton-
ments. It is tolerably soft, and, I believe, free from objectionable impurities. A stream
adjacent to the fort is used for other purposes.
Water-supply.
IX. Diet.—With the exception of the Dogras and Goorkhas, the men usually feed in small
messes. Bazar supplies were abundant and food cheap. The men live well, especially the
Pathans and Pharsiwans. Underfeeding is exceedingly rare, and now that recruits are to
receive a free kit, will be of less frequent occurrence.
Diet.
X. Clothing.—The men of both cavalry and infantry are all supplied with postheens and
great-coats. The latter are made of thick barak, and somewhat resemble the "Ulster" in
shape and make. On the appearance of the cold weather the men on night duty all wore warm
clothes. A case of pneumonia occurring, increased precautions were taken, and no man allowed
to leave the lines in the early morning unless wearing a postheen and great-coat. The men are
all provided with ample and warm bedding.
Clothing.
XI Duty and employment. —The duty has been constant, but not excessive. At head-
quarters it consisted of, besides the usual parades, musketry practice and drill, in furnishing
guards in and about the station, as it is necessary to keep up a system of patrols after dark.
Number of nights in bed in 7 during the year was 5.46.
Duty and
employment.
XII. Exercise, amusements, &c.—The system of gymnastics and athletic exercises, which
all recruits go through on enlistment, has not been changed; they had been found most benefi-
cial and well adapted to develop the muscular system generally. During leisure, and in
suitable weather, the men are encouraged to join in out-door games and races. There is a small
patch of ground attached to the cricket-ground which is allotted in plots for gardening.
Exercise,
amusements,
&
c
XIII. Marches and service.—The corps saw no service; the only marches made were those
of the detachments to and from the places named in para. II.
Marches and
service.
XIV. Hospital.—The hospital has been fully described in former reports, and a plan of
it was attached to the report for 1875. During the year it was repaired and twice white
-washed.
Hospital.
XV. Sickness, mortality and invaliding.—Strength of the regiment.—
Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.
STATION.
PERIOD.
Strength.
TOTAL NUMBER
OF
Daily
average number
of sick.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH
PER ANNUM.
From
To
Admis- sions. Deaths
Admis-
sions. Deaths. Daily
average sick.
Head-quarters at Mardan
1st Jan. 1876 31st Dec. 1876 776.77 1,077
7 37.76 138.77 .91 4 . 9 8
Detachment at Lahore
Ditto
17th Feb. „ 108.36 10
2.38 70.42
2 . 1 9
Ditto at Peshawar 19th Nov.1876 28th Nov. „ 86.71
7
2.66 296.61
3.06
Ditto at Cherat
18th Dec. „ 31st Dec. „ 97.71
7
1.95 186.66
1 . 9 9
TOTAL
803.78 1,101
7 38.33 136.97 .87 4.76
Number of deaths in hospital 7; out of hospital 10; total 17; per cent. of total strength
1.55
„ i n v a l i d e d 5 3 ; „ „
4 . 8 4
„ sent ou sick leave 16; „ „
1 . 4 6
„ of days spent in hospital 14,009; per admission 12.72; per man of total strength
1 2 . 8 0
„ „ on sick leave 1,494; per man 93.37; „ „
1.36
Total temporary loss of service per man of total strength
14.16
Present
803. 78
Absent
290. 44
Total
1, 094. 22
U 1