Medical
Officer,
Lines and
huts.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water-supply.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duty.
Exercise and
amusements.
Marches and
service.
Hospital.
Location and
movements.
Meteorology
and climate.
RAWAL PINDI DIVISION.
139
It was also recommended that the camp followers should be supplied with poshteens and
tents. A blanket was allowed to each man, and eight pâls, four for the hospital kahars, and the
remainder for the regimental camp-followers.
1 s t R e g i m e n t B e n g a l C a b a l r y — S i a l k o t
I. Medical Officer.—The report for 1877 is written by Surgeon-Major
A. J. Dale.
II . Location and movements.—
The entire regiment was present
at Sialkot during the whole year
and furnished no detachments.
IV . Meteorology and climate.—
The only circumstances calling
for notice under this head were,
1st, the exceptionally small rain-
fall during July, August and
September causing the Summer to
be an unusually hot and dry one;
2ndly, the equally exceptionable
heavy rainfall during November
and December, flooding the station
in parts for a time, throwing
back the crops all over the coun-
try, and causing the prices of provisions and grain of all sorts to rule very high.
The register kept by the Civil Assistant Surgeon shows a rainfall for 1877 of 31.43 inches
against one of 50.4 for 1876.
V.
Lines and huts .—Described in previous reports. No alterations have been made. The
lines have been kept clean and in a satisfactory sanitary condition. The huts are also in good
repair and waterproof, well ventilated and not overcrowded.
VI.
Drainage.— The drainage of the station is on. the whole good. As mentioned in last
year's report the great outlets are two nullahs one running along the north and the other along
the south side of the cantonments. That on the north the (Puklao nullah) is apt to get
dammed at a point beyond cantonment limits, and to this is to be ascribed the flooding which
takes place after very heavy rain, which is due to back flow rather than to bad drainage. Mea-
sures are now being taken to see if this obstruction cannot be remedied.
VII.
Conservancy and latrines.— The conservancy arrangements of the station are good and
effectively carried out. European overseers patrol the whole cantonment daily. The dry earth
system is everywhere enforced, the latrines being roofed in to ensure this.
The sewage is carted away to appointed places and made over to zemindars who contract
for its ultimate disposal.
The trench system, with movable screens, is in use for the regiment, the plots of grounds
being changed from time to time and ploughed in and cultivated. These sites are conveniently
situated and are adjacent to the lines.
VIII.
Water-supply.—The water for drinking purposes is obtained entirely from pucka
wells; the supply is abundant and of excellent quality; every precaution is taken to preserve the
wells used for drinking from contamination of all kinds.
The horses are watered at their pickets. The men have a special bathing place near the
lines.
The washing of clothes, &c., is done at a nullah about 3 miles distant.
IX.
Diet.— Food supplies have been remarkably good, though at times prices have been
high. The men of the 1st Bengal Cavalry always feed liberally, and are all well nourished ;
being, as a rule, well to do, they are not affected to the same degree as in some regiments by
dearness of provisions. The bazar has been frequently visited and the supplies inspected.
X.
Clothing. — C l o t h i n g i s g o o d a n d a m p l e f o r a l l s e a s o n s . I n t h e c o l d w e a t h e r t h e m e n
wear poshteens over their uniform. They are very well shod; both the boots for mounted, and
the shoes for dismounted duties fit exceptionally well.
XI.
Duty - has consisted only of the ordinary regimental and garrison routine, has been
very light, and not in any way prejudicial to health. The consecutive nights in bed have aver-
aged by weekly calculation 6 in 7.
XII.
Exercise and amusements.— A certain number of the officers and man practise tent
pegging weekly. Wrestling and single stick also form amusements.
XIII. Marches and service.—None . The regiment has not moved during the year, and
has given no detachment.
XIV. The hospital is on the standard plan, and has been fully described in former reports.
I would only add here, that the accommodation is excellent and could hardly be improved. The
ventilation is perfect ; superficial space ample; it is well lighted, and is cool in summer, and large
fireplaces in each ward admit of its being well warmed in winter, to aid which purdahs have
lately been, supplied; as also have chicks, which will be a great boon in summer. Blankets and
pillows have also been lately received, together with other articles sanctioned in General Order
No. 681, dated 28th July 1877, all tending to the comfort of the sick and to their more
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
. Cawupore, Feb. 1872
.
152.2
1 . 7
4 . 5
1873
.
Ditto
.
8 1 . 4
1.7
3.8
1874
.
Ditto
.
83.7
.8
2.8
1875
.
D i t t o
.
54.7
. 2 7 .87
1876
. Sialkot, Feb. 1876
82.38
. 2 0 2.79
Average
.
.
.
85.47
.94
2.95
1877
. Sialkot
.
.
64.79
1.09
2.43