100
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Drainage.
Conservancy.
VI. Drainage.—The remarks on this subject which have been made in previous annual
reports (1872 and 1873) are still to the purpose. Owing to the extremely light sandy soil, the
surface rainfall, even when stagnant, is quickly got rid of; on the other hand, the ditches soon
choke with silt, and many of the road culverts are too high in the floor, so that the ditches
above them are not emptied, but remain full of rain water until evaporation or absorption
through the soil. Still a great deal has been done to enhance the general delivery into the
main drains. What is now wanted is a more complete extension of raised paths about the lines,
so as to save orderlies and fatigue parties from wading during the rainy season.
VII. Conservancy and latrines.—The conservancy arrangements during 1874 have been
the same as in previous years. The remarks which I made on the subject last year are still
to the point.
PLAN OF URINAL
B. SAPPERS AND MINERS.
Description
of new urinal.
Water-suppl
y.
Duty.
The commanding officer has sanctioned the construction of a temporary urinal for each
company made on the accompanying plan. There is a shallow masonry well, 6 feet by 4 feet,
separated by cross walls 2 feet 6 inches high into four screened sites; the urine flows through
a drain into a deeper well, half full of rubble, and thence into the soil. This plan is, of course,
very convenient as a temporary arrangement, but it ought not to be continued for several
years. The nearest urinal is at least 60 yards from a well, but, as I have explained, it is not
surface linear distance which is concerned, but the depth of the water levels. This is 33 feet
in the sapper lines, and, deducting 8 feet for the urinal well, leaves 25 feet of light sand
for the urine to permeate before it will reach the water level. I think these urinals, therefore,
ought not to remain over two, or at the most three, years.
VII. Water-supply.—The supply is practically unlimited. The water lies in a stiff
clay below a bed of sparkling silver sand 34 feet from the surface level. It is a very good
drinking-water, soft, pure, and very wholesome. I have found that the wells in the lines,
although 1,000 yards distant from the Ganges canal, are affected in a slight, but quite distinct,
degree by the rise and fall of the water flood. Nearly all the wells in the civil station,
which are much nearer, have their temperature also affected, being very cold in summer as
though they sprang from some general reservoir which is fed by the canal.
IX, X, XI, XII. Diet, clothing, exercise, and duty. —I have nothing new to mention on
any of these subjects. The average number of nights in bed has been much the same as
hitherto, viz., 1 in 4 or 5 for non-commissioned officers, and 1 in 8 or 10 for sepoys. The pro
-portion in detached companies somewhat heavier.
Hospital.
XIII. Hospital.—The hospital has abundant space for double the number of sick that
required room during the year, and is in good repair. Its chief drawback was the extreme
cold draughts and chill flooring in winter. Through the kindness of Colonel Maunsell, C. B.,
commanding, a supply of firewood was provided from regimental funds, and an open
fire-place in the centre ward, with a low surrounding wall for seats, made. I have several
times pointed out that the native sappers' hospital ought not to be placed near the European
married quarters, as infectious disease might be communicated. I am glad to say the order
has at last arrived to build a temporary native hospital elsewhere, and the present building has
been vacated to-day, 8th February.