LAHORE DIVISION.
121
Exercise, &c.
Marches.
Hospital.
Bath room.
Warming.
Bedding.
unoccupied site for a bungalow. From this reservoir the water is raised by a Persian wheel into a
water-course, which, with branches, conveys it to some of the officers' compounds for the
cultivation of gardens, and into the lines for the growth of young trees, that have been trans-
planted from the Executive Engineer's nursery. This measure, if continued and extended
will in time pro videmuch needed shelter for the men, and help to remove the bleak and barren
appearance for which the station of Meean Meer is noted.
Irrigation
works.
IV.
Meteorology and clim ate.—Throughout the year the climate has been characterized by
greater cold and less heat than generally prevails in the Punjab, and by a scanty rainfall much
below the average. These three conditions during 1874 rendered the place healthy, especially
to persons acclimatized to the locality by previous residence.
V. Lines and kuts.—These were formerly occupied by the 24th Punjab Native Infantry,
and have been described at page 192 of volume for 1870 of the Bengal Army Medical Reports.
The defects of construction therein detailed still exist. The huts are in a good state, and no
overcrowding has been noticed.
VI. Drainage.—The natural drainage of Meean Meer is very defective, and has been sup-
plemented by three artificial channels, one running northwards and two westwards, which carry
off the surface water by sluggish currents to a broad and rather deep nullah which has been cut
towards the bed of the river Ravee for the drainage of the neighbourhood. The small cross
drains that have been made on both sides of the roads, owing to the very level surface of the
ground, are rather instrumental in retaining than removing the water. After a smart shower
of heavy rain, large shallow pools of water dot the surface, and only disappear by absorption,
which is rapidly effected by the porosity of the upper layer of the soil.
VIII. Conservancy and latrines.—The dry earth method of conservancy is carried
out in the regimental and hospital latrines, and the excreta are removed daily from both in
carts to be deposited in pits outside cantonments. This plan is not considered so good as
burying the ordure at once in trenches dug near the public latrines, as the conservancy carts
have to traverse the station.
Meteorology.
Liness.
Drainage.
Efforts ma
de to improve it.
Conservancy.
Water-supply.—An ample supply of good water has, been obtained from the 3
regimental wells, of which two are in front of the lines and one near the hospital. No measures
are employed to conserve or improve it, either for cooking or drinking. The men bathe at the
wells, of which the parapets are raised sufficiently high to prevent contamination, and the used
water flows into a pucka drain around the wells, and from this it is carried off by channels to
the roots of trees growing nigh the wells. The clothes are, as a rule, washed in a pool of water
near the cantonment canal, but when this happens to be empty, the well water is resorted to
by the washermen.
IX. Diet.—The same system of dieting has been in force in 1874 as in the previous
year. The regimental bazar, in consequence of the distance ( 2 1/2 miles ) of the sudder bazar
from the lines, is rather larger than usual. It has been kept clean and well supplied with the
articles of food, which have been good and nutritious. Under-feeding does not generally
prevail, and any cases that occur are brought to the notice of the commanding officer.
Water-supply.
Diet.
X. Clothing.—No alteration has been made in the clothing, which has been the same as
previously reported.
Clothing.
XI. Duly and employment.— Has consisted of the ordinary parades, drills, escort, and
guard duties. The latter have not been at any time severe, and the men have had from 6 tc
6 . 5 nights in bed every week.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations.— Club exercise is practised by some of the men,
but their principal occupations are of a sedentary nature.
XIII. Marches and service.—The health of the regiment generally was not affected by
the exposure incidental to the march, which throughout was begun at day-break ; only one
recruit being subsequently discharged from the service on account of' debility, resulting
from a severe attack of pleurisy contracted towards the end of the march.
XIV. Hospital.—This has been described at page 193 of the volume for 1870 of the
Bengal Army Medical Reports. One of the corner rooms has been converted into s
bath-room, and provided with the articles detailed in G. O. No. 365 of 28th November
1873. Some of the Mahomedans occasionally bathe in it, but the Hindoos prefer per-
forming their ablutions at the wells. The roof stands in need of repair and will be
renewed next year, but as a temporary measure its ridge will be covered by a
light thatch to prevent it leaking. The building, though capable of accommodating 80 beds,
is only supplied with 60 cots. No overcrowding has occurred, though the latter number was
twice exceeded in October by the number of sick. There are neither fire-places nor stoves
for warming the wards, which, from the number of' archways and doors, either become
intensely hot, or very cold and drafty, according to the season. Purdahs were indented for,
but though sanctioned by G. G. O. of April 1872, their supply is at present under abeyance.
The bedding was occasionally deficient, but most of the men have in addition to the pre-
scribed durree and cotton ruzai, a cotton mattrass, or in its place lât matting for use in the cold weather Duty.
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