Drainage.
Conservancy.
52
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
General
features.
Geology.
Cultivation,
Vegetation.
Marshes and
jungle
\Vater-level.
Meteorology.
feet. The force quartered in it during 1874 consisted of the 9th Bengal Cavalry and the
Deolee Infantry force, the lines for which, and the bungalows for officers, are built on a nar
row ridge running from a south-west to a north-easterly direction, with a gradual slope
three directions, viz., east, west, and south, so that the natural drainage is excellent, and no
stagnant water lies about anywhere. The general features of the surrounding country
present a far less wearisome appearance than most stations in India, inasmuch as the country
is more or less undulating, and on nearly all sides, at varying distances, there are low, rocky
hills, which break the view, some r ugged and barren, others covered with low tree jungle.
The geological formation is primary or metamorphic, consisting of gneiss, mica-schist, and
granite, whilst slate and limestone are also plentifully found. The soil of the undulating
plains varies in thickness, from 6 inches to 2 or 3 feet, according to situation. It is every-
where, however, stiff, tenacious, and dark-coloured (cotton soil), and is difficult to work and
cultivate, requiring much toil to render it fit for seed sowing. Directly under the soil is a
laver of kunkur, varying in thickness, and beneath the kunkur the primary rock.
Cultivation of the soil is by no means extensive around Deolee, except in the imme-
diate neighbourhood of villages, and there only, in my experience, are to be found even fair
crops of such things as are usually grown, viz., wheat, cotton, poppies, Indian corn. Generally
speaking, water is not very near the surface, so that good, or even fair, crops are hardly ob-
tained except by repeated well-irrigation. Add to this, that the population is sparse and
the soil hard to work, and it will readily be believed that the amount of each harvest is little
more than sufficient to meet the ordinary requirements of the existing population, whereas
disease and starvation are the usual results of a dry season and bad harvest in these parts.
In the uncultivated parts of the country, rank grass and low scrubby thorn flourish
abundantly, and are the harbour of jackals, pigs, partridges, &c. Trees are scarce, and, as a rule,
are only to be found around ponds and jheels in the vicinity of villages. Their variety is small,
such as the peepul, bhur, tamarind, acacia, and date palm. Wood, for building purposes, is
consequently dear and difficult to obtain, though firewood of an inferior quality, collected
from the low tree jungle of the neighbouring hills, is tolerably cheap.
There are neither marshes nor tree jungle within a radius of some miles of Deolee.
The depths at which water is obtained beneath the surface varies considerably, according
to season and situation. On the rising portions of the undulating plains it is usually found
at a level of from 20 to 40 feat—such is the case in the cantonment; whilst in the lower
parts it may be seen within a few feet of the surface. All wells, however, have to be dug,
with not a little difficulty, through mica-schist of various degrees of hardness, and even then
all water so obtained is slightly brackish, probably from percolation of a certain amount of
surface water through the layer of kunkur, which is everywhere found, beneath the sur-
face soil.
IV. Meteorology and climate.— Owing to the absence of instruments, no
meteorological observations were made.
Lines.
Water.
Diet.
Cost.
Clothing.
V. Lines, &c.—The lines have been described by previous medical officers. They have
been kept in a perfect state of repair ; and there has been no overcrowding, each hut affording
78 superficial and 300 cubic feet to each individual. I cannot, however, agree with all
that has been previously said of the adaptation of the lines and huts to the requirements
of the men, either in a sanitary point of view, or with reference to their individual comfort.
In the first place, there are no trees and no verandahs to the huts, both of which afford
such important and material protection not only from the sun, but also from sudden changes
of temperature and other influences, which more or less present themselves at all seasons of the
year. Lastly, the huts are covered with tiles only, and, unless these are frequently and
carefully kept in proper order, both wind and rain penetrate freely, and give rise often to a
good deal of discomfort, even if they do not originate sickness.
VI. Drainage,—The natural drainage is excellent, as has been already noticed. No
water lies stagnant anywhere within a few hours of rainfall.
VII. Conservancy and Latrines.— There are no latrines in the station, and no special
conservancy arrangements. All natives are obliged to resat to the fields outside canton-
ment limits. A latrine has, however, been applied for, in order to add to the comfort and
convenience of the men.
The lines have been kept scrupulously clean, all litter having been burnt or removed
by villagers for the purposes of cultivation and brick-making.
VIII. Water-supply.—There are two good wells in the lines, and these have always
provided a plentiful supply of water, which, though slightly brackish, has been free from
all contamination.
IX. Diet.—The regimental bazar has been well supplied with all kinds of grain
and with country vegetables, such as onions, carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, spinach, &C. ;
these, as well as the meat of sheep and goats, have been cheaper than the supplies which
the regiment had obtained in previous years. Thus, in 1870, at Rawal Pindi, a sowar's
expenses in December amounted to Rs. 25-5-3 ; in December of 1871, at the same station,
they came to Rs. 24-15-10, whilst during December of 1874 they were Rs. 22-8-7, thus
leaving a margin of from Rs. 5 to Rs. 8 per mensem to meet the requirements of family,
bedding or undress clothing, as the case might be.
X. Clothing.—There is nothing to add to my previous reports of the excellence of the
clothing and its adaptation to the various seasons of the year.