LAHORE DIVISION.
131
clothing.
Boots.
Duties.
Amusements.
Hospital.
The first of these recommendations has been carried out, the second is to be so, but the
third has been refused from want of funds.
XXI. I would suggest that a trial should be made, in the native army, of a shoe of
the native pattern, made rather high at the toe and heel, so as not to come off when running,
Such a shoe is worn by the Bundelas, and would, I think, be found much more comfortable
cheaper, and easier to put on and off than those now worn. It would also very considerably
diminish the number of admissions into hospital, and would enable the troops to make long
marches without being footsore, as the other natives of the country constantly do; and as
sepoys can, when wearing native shoes.
Pattern of
shoes recom
-
mended.
Deputy Surgeon-General G. H. Ray, M. D., inspected on the 14th of
September 1874. He found the sanitary state of the station satisfactory, but
considers the hospital too small; measures were taken to supply quarters for
the hospital subordinates and servants which are now wanting. The arrange-
ments for the treatment of the sick were efficient.
Inspection.
4th Goorkha Regiment—Bakloh.
Surgeon-Major G. C. Chesnaye continued in medical charge of the regi
-
ment throughout the year.
He reports that the regi
-
ment remained during the
whole year at Bakloh, the
only detachment absent from
head-quarters being one of
5 men at Simla up to the
first week of December
IV. Meteorology and climate.
—The climate of the year was
marked by a winter of extreme
severity, with six falls of snow,
one being to a depth of nearly
two feet; a short hot season last
-
ing only to the 2nd of June; very early setting in of the rains on 3rd June; heavy
and continuous rain from this date to the 11th of September, when the rains
abruptly terminated, and from the latter date to the end of the year continued dry, fine weather
amounting towards the end to absolute drought, doing injury to the crops in the ground to
some extent. The rainfall for the year, 93.57 inches, was in excess by 23.37 inches of the aver-
age, and the rains were remarkably steady and free from breaks. Storms were neither as
frequent nor as severe as usual at Bakloh.
V Lines and barracks. The barrack accommodation for the regiment is now complete.
The married quarters are rather deficient in ventilation and cubic area for the number of people
inhabiting them. Both the sanitary condition, and the health of the married people were better
during 1874 than in any previous year. The unmarried quarters are in every way suitable for
the men, in good repair, well ventilated and comfortable.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT OF
Admissions. Deaths.
Daily Sick.
1869 . . .
B a k l o h . . .
92.1
.3
3.5
1870 . . .
D o . . . .
77.1
.9
2.7
1871 . . .
Do. and Looshai . . .
140.4
2.8
3.4
1872 . . .
Do. April from Looshai
181.
1.6
5.2
1873 . . .
Do. . . .
98.2
1.1
3.1
Average . . .
. . .
117.7
1.3
3.6
1874 . . .
Bakloh . . .
91.9
.5
2.8
Meteorology.
Lines.
VIII. Water-supply.—The water is carefully conserved. The drinking of impure
water by sepoys' families, during the rains, has not occurred during 1874, and no typhoid
symptoms have presented themselves in the married quarters.
IX. Diet.—All articles of food usually consumed by the men have been good and mode
-
rate in price; vegetables are becoming gradually more easily obtainable; meat of excellent
quality is constantly procurable at a moderate price; the men live well and consume a large
quantity of animal food.
Mr. Chesnaye reports that the men are sufficiently clad in and out
of uniform; footsores are caused by the ammunition boot, owing, he thinks,
to accumulation of dust. When the men wear them on their hunting ex
-
cursions blisters are not caused. Dr. Ray, in his inspection report of the
1st Goorkhas, observes that the men prefer the ammunition boot to their
native shoe when they go hunting. The medical officer suggests that a
broad solid shoe like a highland "brogue" would be a more suitable covering
for the feet of native sepoys. The duties have been light; nights in bed from
5 to 9. Some restrictions were placed on the practice of shikar by the men
in the Chumba territory, but these have been mitigated. Gardening is not
much practised, but foot-ball and gymnastics are resorted to in winter. The hos-
pital is falling into disrepair. Quarters for medical subordinates, a dispensary
room, and verandahs are much needed.
Water supply.