Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
16
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Lines, bar-
racks, or huts.
bank on which the lines are situated, than had done so in former years. Since the regiment
has been at Allahabad, there has been an increasing tendency to a change in this direction ; and
if this continues, a large unfordable body of water will flow close to the right bank. In one
respect this is not a desirable change, as a large expanse of dry shifting sand, which is much
resorted to by the men, and particularly the camp followers, for the purposes of nature, may
be shut off. During the cold and hot seasons this place affords an excellent natural latrine ;
all excreta being soon covered up by the light sand, blown about by the wind.
IV. Lines, barracks or huts.—The barracks have been before described. (Medical history
of the Native Army for 1868, and annual report for 1873.) The barracks were in good repair,
but some of the beams were showing signs of giving way, and they will probably soon require
repair. They leaked very little during the rains. There was no tendency to over-crowding.
V. Drainage.—The lines being on higher ground than any in the vicinity, and sur-
rounded by the river Ganges and deep nullahs, are naturally well drained, and a very small
amount of artificial drainage is required. No alterations were required during the year.
VI. Conservancy and latrines.— The conservancy system was described in the annual
report of the regiment for 1873. The system has worked well throughout the year, with the
exception of short periods during the rains, when the trench system can hardly be said to be a
success ; and at this time, too, the Ganges was in flood and the men cut off from the " Cachar "
land or bed of the river. This state of affairs only lasts a very short time.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Under-feeding.
VII.
Water-supply.— The water-supply was described in the annual report of the
regiment for 1871. No recent analysis have been made. The Ganges water is a good deal
used by the men, especially those in the regimental bazar and hospital. The wells are adapted
to prevent contamination from without, and one was set apart for bathing purposes.
VIII.
Diet.—The men are not obliged to spend any portion of their pay with the regi-
mental bunneas, but the bunneas are obliged to give a man credit up to half the amount of his
pay ; and, practically, every sepoy does spend this amount. The bazar supplies have been good,
and fresh vegetables generally consumed. There is a committee of native officers, changed
monthly, who examine bazar supplies, and they are occasionally inspected by the medical officer.
During the last year the men seem to have taken a greater variety of food than formerly, and
cases of spongy and bleeding gums, associated with rheumatic pains, have been very much fewer,
though still not quite unknown. This condition, I believe, due partly to a monotonous starch
diet, and partly to the effects of ague. Most of the men who suffer from this form of disease
are men enlisted in 1858, and are abstainers from animal food. Many of them were invalided
during the year. Though no orders have been issued to prevent men from becoming " bhug-
guts" (men who have taken a life vow to abstain from animal food), every inducement has
been offered by the commanding and other officers to prevent their becoming such ; and now
that they find it interferes with their promotion, it is much less popular than formerly, and
principally confined to men of over fifteen years' service.
Clothing.
Boots.
Duty and
employment.
Exercise,
amusements
and occupa-
tions.
Marches and
service.
_
IX.
Clothing.—Cotton clothing, dyed kharkee colour, was worn during the hot weather
and rains ; during the rest of the year, woollen clothing. Men on station duty during the rainy
season carried a great coat. The summer clothing has been altered during the year from white
to kharkee. The change was introduced partly with a view to save the men expense, as the
clothes would not require such frequent washing and consequently last longer. The ammuni-
tion boot was worn throughout the year while the regiment was in cantonments ; but on the
line of march the men were directed to wear the native shoe. Blisters of the feet caused an
average of 5.2 admissions per month, while the regiment was in cantonments and wearing
boots. On the line of march the admissions were six per mensem. Had the ammunition boot
b e e n w o r n w h i l e m a k i n g a d a i l y m a r c h , t h e n u m b e r o f a d m i s s i o n s w o u l d h a v e b e e n v e r y l a r g e .
X.
Duty and employment.— The ordinary duties at Allahabad were undoubtedly heavy ;
the number of nights in bed being 2 . 80 while the regiment was at Allahabad ; the average for
the whole year being 3 . 92. I was never able to state that any direct injury to the health of
the regiment was the result, but in all probability the cases of ague were increased by so much
night duty. This disease was, as far as I could ascertain, much less common among the camp
followers, who are not so exposed.
XI.
Exercise, amusements, and occupations.— The men being rather hard-worked at
Allahabad, had little time to devote to amusement. The Rajpoots are fond of wrestling, jump-
ing, and sword exercises. These games are principally carried on in the rainy season. The
spaces between the barracks were cultivated, but only during and after the rains, as there were
no arrangements for irrigation.
XI I . Ma r c he s a nd s e r vi c e . —T h e
r e g i m e n t l e f t A l l a h a b a d o n t h e m o r n i n g o f t h e 2 5 t h
November, having been relieved by the 34th . Native Infantry from Morar, and reached Gazee-
abad (one march from its destination at Delhi) on the 31st December, having marched 32
marches in 37 days. Halts were made on 5th December at Cawnpore, 13th December at
Chubramow, 19th and 20th December at Etah, and 27th December at Koorjah. The average
rate of marching was one mile in 23 minutes, including halts ; excluding halts, at 17 minutes
per mile. The fastest mile was done in 15 minutes. The regiment left the camping ground
every morning at 4-30, and the hospital was sent on at the same time, but after a few marches
it was found more convenient to send on the hospital in advance of the regiment on the pre-
vious afternoon. This gave the sick a good night's rest, and they were not exposed to the cold
of the early morning, which was much complained of. The health of the regiment generally
was improved by the march, but some of the older men had to be admitted into hospital, suffer-
ing from pains in the limbs and other symptoms of debility.