Supply of mu-
nicipal water
to the regi-
ments at the
presidency.
Arrangements
at Dehra Doon
and Kohat.
Water-supply
at Peshawur.
Brackish Wa-
ter.
Water-supply
at Kherwarra.
Water analy-
ses.
Pumps.
Food-supply.
Classes addict-
ed to under-
feeding.
Inspection of
bazars.
Scurvy
the municipality. The medical officer of the 37th Native Infantry believes that
bowel complaints have become rarer in consequence. The Barrackpore regi-
ments have not as yet been able to make use of the municipal water, though
it passes through the station. The covered masonry channel by which water
is supplied to the 2nd Goorkhas at Dehra Doon gives satisfaction, as also does
the similar arrangement at Kohat. The distribution in the latter station has
now been extended to the cavalry lines. At Peshawur the arrangements for
distributing the water of the Bara river by means of a covered channel are in
progress. Attempts have been made in the several regiments stationed there to
improve the water-supply, more particularly in the 30th Punjab Native
Infantry, where a system of filtration has been introduced. In the lines of
the 12th Bengal Cavalry at this station, an old well has been re-opened and
put in thorough working order at a cost of P.s. 1,400, defrayed by the regiment.
In several stations the wells are reported to be brackish, as at Dinapore, Agra
and Morar ; and a water which if not regularly drawn becomes putrid, as in the
23rd Punjab Native Infantry at Jhelum, cannot be a safe source of supply.
The arrangements for the conservation of water at Kherrwara are, it is evident
from Surgeon-Major L. F. Dickson's report, (page 64) inadequate, but the defects
are understood and acknowledged, and it is to be hoped that action will be taken
ere long to remedy them. No systematic analyses of water were made during the
year, except in Calcutta, where the municipal water is subjected to a regular
chemical examination. Surgeon-Major G. A. Watson's pump continues to
work well in the canvalry lines at Mooltan, but in every other station primitive
and less cleanly methods are employed to draw water.
20. Food-supplies were plentiful, good, and cheap throughout the presi-
dency, and the evidence recorded by medical officers goes to show that the
native army was well fed and in good physique. There are three classes of
men whose feeding requires to be specially looked after— men. with large
families or many dependents ; men who have completed 15 years' service and
are anxious to obtain pension, and recruits. Medical officers are, however,
fully alive to the importance of exercising a strict and vigilant watch over the
dieting of men who have inducements to underfeed. The excellent practice
of placing the bazar and its supplies under systematic inspection by native
officers is generally adopted, and medical officers are in the habit of periodi-
cally examining the supplies. Scurvy is still reported to exist to a slight extent
in some regiments. There were in all 124 cases, but no deaths in 1874,
against 155 and 7 in 1873, 74 and 17 in 1872, 156 and 2 in 1871, and 136 and
most regiments, more particularly when any unusual amo
takes place, from parades, camps of exercise, relief movements or service. I
Year.
Cases.
1870
... 1,872
1871
... 2,429
1872
... 2,167
1873
... 2,194
1874
... 1,148
have noted on the margin the number of cases of
blistered feet which have been admitted into
hospital during the last five years : in addition to
these, a large proportion of the very many cases of
ulcer annually treated in regimental hospitals are
" Blister of the
feet."
due to attrition by badly fitting boots. The evidence recorded in these reports
appears to prove that the present arrangements are far from satisfactory ; that
the Blucher, or ammunition boot of native make is unquestionably bad ; that
the ammunition boot of English make, if carefully fitted and kept soft with
grease, is less apt to gall ; and that the use of socks or bandages is considered
absolutely necessary to protect the feet from injury under severe marching.
Conclusions.