166
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Meteorology
and climate.
Rainfall.
employment of these different bodies of men are shown in detail under paragraph XV. The
regiment also furnished, on alternate months with the other infantry corps at Abbottabad, a small
party to garrison the Oghi fort in Agrore. Its average strength was 29.41, and period of
absence 217 clays.
IV. Meteorology and climate.—The year was marked in Hazara by variations from the
usual routine of climatic changes which are not of frequent occurrence. In January and
February the weather was intensely cold and trying; snow was frequent, and fell to an
extent not experienced for 20 years. The maximum snowfall was on the 6th and 7th
of February, when 22 inches were registered. On that occasion the roads were blocked, and
t r a f f i c s u s p e n d e d f o r f i v e o rs i x
d a y s . A l a t e s p r i n g s u c c e e d e d a s e v e r e w i n t e r , a n d t h e
months of March, April and May were characterized by an exceptionally long continuance
of damp, inclement weather. The special and most striking feature in the meteorology of
the year was an almost complete failure of the monsoon rains. These rains usually prevail
with great regularity in July, August and September, the average aggregate fall for the
three months being from 22 to 24 inches. In the same period in 1877 the total fall was only
nine inches; the weather was consequently hot and oppressive, and there was a partial failure
of the autumn crops. October, November and December, were marked by a succession of
violent thunderstorms, with frequent and heavy downpours of rain. The prevalence of
inclement weather during the last quarter of the year added much to the hardships and
discomforts of lightly equipped men engaged on active field service.
Register of the rainfall at Abbottabad for the year 1877.
January.
F e b r u a r y .
M a r c h .
A p r i l .
M a y .
J u n e .
J u l y .
A u g u s t .
S e p t e mb e r .
O c t o b e r .
N o v e m b e r .
D e c e m b e r .
Tot al .
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches.
Inches. Inches.
Inches.
3.1
6.7
4.5.
8.6
5.4
5.7
3.3
3 . 1
2.7
6.2
9 . 8
10.2
69.3
Lines,
barracks
or huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
Exercises, &c.
Marches.
V. Lines, barracks or huts.— No changes have been made during the year in the lines or
barracks. It has been noticed in previous reports that, although the married people are well
sheltered under shingle roofs, the. quarters allotted to unmarried men are duly provided with
roofs of earth and mud plaster. An annual rainfall of between 50 and 60 inches (last year
it was 69 inches) necessitates shelter of a more efficient and durable nature than that now in
use, and in my opinion the barracks will never be thoroughly dry or healthy until they are
roofed in with either slate or shingle.
VI. Drainage; VII.—Conservancy and latrines; VIII.—Water-supply.—No noteworthy
alterations have been made, during the period under review in any of the local arrangements at
Abbottabad connected with drainage, conservancy or water-supply. The drainage is naturally
excellent. The field system of latrines has been in force for some years, and works satisfac-
torily. Water is fairly good and obtained from wells, which are cleaned out periodically.
IX. Diet.—From January to September food-supplies were abundant and obtainable
at moderate rates. Partial failure of the autumn crops, together with something akin to
famine in the neighbouring province of Kashmir, caused a rapid rise in the price of provisions
in October; and at the close of the year wheat, rice and other grains were quoted at double
the ordinary rates. In November and December scarcity was general throughout Hazara,
but was most marked in the northern or Monserah tahsil, Where relief works were instituted
by the civil officers to alleviate the prevailing distress. Large quantities of grain were also
imported from other districts in the Punjab, and sold at a loss to those needing aid. High
grain rates must have pinched married sepoys with families to maintain, but there has been
no actual want in the regiment. The men look strong and well-fed, and so far I have not
heard of either distress or sickness amongst their wives or families at Abbottabad.
X. Clothing.— The recent grant of a free kit to recruits on enlistment, and a yearly
allowance of Rs. 4 for half-mounting, will do much to add to the comfort and healthiness of
the men. Abundant clothing is needed at Abbottabad, and I believe that our men are now
well provided in this respect.
XI. Duty .—Duty at Abbottabad between the 1st of January and 10th of October was light,
the number of nights in bed being never under 5 in 7. From the 11th October to 31st of
December, the head-quarter wing was exposed to the usual vicissitudes and hardships of field
service, but this will form the subject of a supplementary report, which will be submitted on
completion of the campaign.
XII. Exercises and amusements.— As described in former reports.
XIII.
Marches.—The bead-quarter wing left Abbottabad on the 11th of October and
marched, vid Hussun Abdul, Camp Bellpore and Lumbi Dund, to Lukha Talao on the right
bank of the Indus, where it arrived on the 20th of the same month, Lukha Talao is a small
thanna, or police post, situated midway on the tableland between the Afridi hills on the west
and the river Indus on . the east, and about four Miles from both. The regiment remained
encamped there with full equipage from the 20th October to the 8th of November. In this