Drainage.
Conservancy.
94
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF B
ENGAL.
Topography.
Meteorology.
III. Topography and physical geography .—Delhi is so well known, and has been so often
described in previous annual reports, that no detailed description is here necessary. The city
is situated on the west bank of the river Jumna, in an undulating. plain. The geological
formation consists of alluvial soil mixed with the remains of former buildings to a considerable
depth, animal and vegetable debris resting on quartz ore. The watershed is from the "ridge"
towards the river. The height of the ground water varies, but is generally considerable;
still the considerable amount of land under cultivation is kept moist by irrigation, and, during
the rains, the banks of the river are inundated up to the walls of the city, leaving a large
surface production of malaria when the water recedes. There are also several large marshes in
the neighbourhood.
IV. Meteorology and climate .—No instruments are supplied, and no records of the
weather have been kept. The past hot weather is said to have been cooler, the winter milder,
and the rainfall, which averages about 35 inches, less than usual.
Lines.
Defects.
V. Lines, barracks, or huts .—No alteration has taken place since last report; the state of
repair of most of the buildings is fair, with the exception of the married lines; but the con-
fined space on which the lines are built, the want of proper ventilation owing to the manner
in which the buildings are disposed and surrounded, and to the faulty system of ventilation
adopted, together with the overcrowding, are probably factors in the production of disease.
VI. Drainage .—The soil of Delhi city is porous, and the natural drainage fair, so that
the drainage of both the station and lines is satisfactory.
VII. Conservancy and latrines .—The system in use is the dry-earth which is fairly
worked. The excreta are removed outside the city walls, but, owing to the plan on which the
latrines are constructed, they are difficult to clean. The want of urinals prevents the conservancy
of the lines being properly carried out.
Water-supply.
Analysis of
water.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
Exercise &c.
VIII, Water-supply .—The sources are the Jumna river, Jumna canal, and wells. The
supply is ample, but the quality is indifferent. The river and canal water are liable to several
sources of contamination—bathing, washing clothes, watering animals, sewage, &c. The same
arrangements as reported in 1873 for the protection of the purity of the water remain still.
Most of the wells in 'Delhi are bad: the Jumna water is the best. The following is a partial
analysis made by me of' the Jumna water and a well in the lines. The specimen of the
Jumna water was taken when there was no probable source of contamination.
Physical.
Reaction.
T o t a l s o l i d s , 1 g a l l o n .
V o l a t i l e d i t t o , 1 g a l l o n .
P e r m a n e n t d i t t o .
G r a i n s o f o x y g e n f o r 1 , 0 0 0 g r a i n s H . O .
N i t r i c a c i d , 1 g a l l o n .
A m m o n i a .
T o t a l h a r d n e s s 0 .
P e r m a n e n t d i t t o .
R e m o v a b l e d i t t o .
Jumna . . . Fair. . . Alk. . . .
15.45 1.10 14.35 .00007
. . .
. . .
4.75
3.13
1.62
Well . . . Ditto . . . Slightly ditto
43.48 3.29 4.019 .00009
3 . 5 0 g r . Trace. 6.45
3.75
2.70
IX. Diet. The regiment has been dieted through the regimental bazar, which is in
good repair, and atta, rice, ghee, milk, &c., of good quality and sufficient quantity are sup
-
plied. Vegetables are plentiful and prices moderate; the surgeon inspects the bazar weekly, and
a native officer daily. About one-half the regiment are essentially vegetable feeders, the other
half animal; but the quality of meat they use is not good. As a rule, the men do not underfeed
themselves. Bread is prepared by the langris attached to each company, and is generally good.
X. Clothing .—The uniform is the same as that previously described, and seems adapted
for its purpose. The choga, which is used for a great coat, has the advantage of' being a na
-
tional article of clothing with a great part of the regiment, but it gives no protection to the
neck and part of the chest, freely permeable to rain, and unsuitable for marching. The supply
of native clothing is in many instances rather deficient, and, being of so much lighter ma
-
terial than the uniform, is often the cause of disease, especially in the cold weather. Most of
the men, except the recruits, are fairly supplied with bedding.
XI. Duty and employment .—The ordinary duty in Delhi is light, and there was no
extraordinary duty in 1874. Average number of nights in bed 7.43.
XII. Exercise and amusements .—The space in the lines being so confined does not ad
-
mit of gardening; several of the Pathans are shikarees, and some of the Sikhs use the clubs,
otherwise there is no source of amusement in the regiment.
Hospital.
Defects.
XIV. Hospital—The native infantry hospital at Delhi has been frequently described.
The site is raised, but too much surrounded. The accommodation for the native doctors and
servants is sufficient. The hospital consists of one ward only, badly lighted and ventilated
on an obsolete system, with no means of warming; the dispensary is dark and narrow. The
corner rooms are used for bath-room, ward for infectious diseases, stores, &c. The state of repair
is fair. But its plan is but poorly adapted for the proper treatment or investigation of dis-
ease. The want of bedding a attached to the hospital was much felt, especially in the case of
recruits. The accommodation is said to be sufficient.