52
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
Quarter-
guard and
non-commis-
sioned officers.
quarters.
Bazar.
Improvements
suggested.
Drainage.
Latrines.
Diet.
moisture towards the front, where the whole drainage of the lines is received by a cutting
leading to the Koomraree nuddee. At the bottom of the centre and largerinterval is the original
quarter-guard, and in rear of the lines, and separated from them by an interval of some 60
paces, is a new row of small bungalows for native commissioned officers' quarters. These, in
structure, are quite equal to miniature dâk bungalows, and face towards the lines looking
north-east. On the right flank in front is the mistry-khana, and on the left flank in front is
a building which accommodates the regimental schoolmaster, moonshee, and others belonging to
the regiment. On the right flank in rear is a building for the Muhammadans of the regiment to
attend to religious observances. The regimental bazar (in consequence of some buildings
remaining in that position which could. again be utilized), is at present in rear of the native
officers' bungalows on ground higher than the regimental lines. I certainly think that when. a
favorable opportunity offers, this bazar should be removed from its present position, either to
the right flank, or in halves to the two flanks of the lines, or to some other position where
it will not shut out the free current of air from the public road running between the cavalry
lines and Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7 compounds. In its present position during the ordinary rainy
season, its watershed must be towards, instead of from, the regimental lines. It abuts too
closely on the public road before-mentioned, thereby destroying the picturesque appearance
of this portion of cantonments, besides shutting out air from the compounds mentioned (to
which future occupants might object). Moreover (as often happens), if contagious disease at
any time should break out in this regimental bazar, it would be difficult to place it in
quarantine whilst situated close to a main thoroughfare, only a few yards from officers' com-
pounds, and between them and the regimental lines. The stables for native officers' horses
are situated on the same ground as the bazar, in rear of each native officer's bungalow, and open
south-west towards the public road. I think it would be a decided improvement if they were
at the side of each native officer's bungalow and made to open north-east, so as to front towards
t he regi ment al l i nes. Thi s arranement woul d l eave a free open space, whi ch i s wel l st udded
with trees, between the native officers' quarters and the public road before-mentioned, and the
Hindoo and Sikh places of worship ; and native officers' bungalows alone remaining on this
higher ground, the appearance of this part of the station would not be spoilt and air would
not be shut out during the hot and rainy seasons in future. Of course cattle detained about any
bazar, as well as horses in stables, must deposit on the surface a good deal of urine, &c., which
becomes absorbed by the surface only to be washed towards the regimental lines and towards
lower ground (where the regimental wells are situated), during heavy rain. Any one having
to go from the regimental bazar to the latrines must pass through the regimental lines ;
at present the latrines being situated well out to the left front of the lines near the Koomraree
n u d d e e
.
The drainage arrangements are reported satisfactory, but they were not
severely tested in 1877. The new latrines of the 5th Bengal Cavalry are on
trench and screen system. Water is obtained from wells, Which are considered
good.
IX. Diet.—Although the price of food has been high, the men have not apparently stinted
themselves as regards food. The ordinary expenses of a sowar per month during the year
have been about Rs. 21. This includes—
Monthly
expenses of a
sowar.
Vegetables.
Clothing,
duty and
employments
Exercise,
amusements
and occupa-
tions.
Hospital.
Troop expenses .
.
.
.
.
.
Rs.
0
A.
14
P.
0
Bunniah 's bill .
.
.
.
.
.
:
:
:
14 8 0
Syce's pay .
.
3 0 0
Forge do
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
: 2 4 0
Forge do. .
. .
.
,
.
.
0 4 0
Dyer
.
.
.
'
'
.
'
'
:
.
.
0 2 0
.
Total
.
. 21 0 0 monthly expenses,
and leaves a good balance out of each man's monthly pay for saving if he chooses.
The bazar has been kept clean and well provided in the old lines. Fresh vegetables
were easily procured from the neighbourhood of Bellaree, &c. Cabbages, cauliflowers, turnips,
&c., grow in Nowgong to perfection, and esculent tubers are easily procured in the sudder bazar
and neighbourhood.
Both uniform and undress clothing are reported to be suited to season, and
duty was easy : nights in bed 7.43. The men were employed in September,
October and November, in dismantling the old lines and rebuilding the new.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations. —There have been soldier's games in the station.
in which the men competed for prizes in running-matches, &c. Naza bazee and polo are
holiday pastimes. A few are shikarees, and when time allows, doubtless a wrestling-pit will
form one of the places of amusement in the lines.
XIV. Hospital .—From the 1st January to the 2nd November, the sick were treated in a
portion of one of the old buildings which formerly was the right flank barrack of the old
light cavalry. This was not well suited for a hospital according to modern ideas, but was as
good, or better, than some of the buildings which I have seen used for native cavalry in former
years.