Meteorology.
Rainfall.
MEERUT DIVISION.
99
Deputy Surgeon-General C. M. Smith, in his inspection report describes
minutely the sanitary and medical arrangements connected with the regiment,
and expresses his unqualified satisfaction with them. "When the new hospital
is finished," he states, "no regiment will possess greater advantages in the way
of site, space, comfort and everything that can conduce to the preservation of
health." He found the men in excellent condition, and "fit for any work they
may be called on to do."
He pays a high tribute to the devoted attention which Surgeon-Major
F. F. Allen, C. B., pays to all that concerns the welfare of the regiment.
Bengal Sappers and Miners,—Roorkee.
Surgeon-Major A. Eteson has been in medical charge of the head-quarters
of the corps at Roorkee
throughout the year. The
detachments have been at
-
tended to by a great variety
of medical officers and sub
-
ordinates according to their
location and employment.
Dr. Eteson reports :—
II. Locution and movements.—
The head-quarters of the regi
-
ment has been at Roorkee
throughout the year. From the
first week in March to the second
week in April it went to Hurd
-
war to assist in arranging
bridges over the Ganges during the fair; but the sick and hospitals were not moved from
Roorkee. The detachment at Peshawur has, as in previous years, been divided all of the
summer months, the 8th company going to Cherat on the 7th February, and rejoining at
Peshawur on the 30th October.
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick
1869
Roorkee . . .
195.6
3.7
5.
1870
Ditto . . .
95.8
1.6
2.4
1871
Ditto . . .
99.
2 .
2.2
1872
Ditto . . .
98.5
2.1
2.9
1873
Ditto . . .
92.6
1.4
2.1
Average
. . .
116.3
2.2
2.9
1874
Roorkee . . .
130.2
.7
3.6
Medical
charge.
Location and
movements.
Detachments.
The 9th Company at Rawul Pindee has been broken up by a detached party for duty at
Attock during the cold season, employed on survey duties. The whole company left Rawul
Pindee February the 21st, on exploration of ruins across the Indus near Hotimurdan, return
-
ing to cantonments on the 24th April.
Four companies of the regiment marched during February and March 1874 on special
duty to the famine districts in Tirhoot. It is quite unnecessary to trace their numerous moves
about the locality. Durbungah, Barb, Moozufferpore, and the line of Northern Tirhoot States
Railway appear to have been their chief stations. All four companies returned to head-quarters
about the middle and end of October.
The 2nd company, which had been on detached command at Chukrata since November
1872, rejoined head-quarters at Roorkee on 20th January 1874.
A selected party of one European officer, two European non-commissioned officers, and
64 rank and file native sappers, left Roorkee on 16th October 1874 to join the expedition
agai nst t he Duffl as, and were on t hat servi ce at t he cl ose of t he year.
IV. Meteorology and climate.— There has been nothing unusual in the seasonal changes
and procession. The spring rainfall was very moderate, and possibly, therefore, the early
arrival of the regular moonsoon was only to be looked for. In 1873 nearly three inches of rain
fell in May, and next to none in June, whereas in 1874 the rainfall in May was at a minimum,
while the real rains reached us at the beginning of June and nearly 12 inches fell during that
month. In July and August of both years the fall was abundant ; but, in 1874, there was a
great falling off in September, only 3.65 inches being recorded, while 15.61 inches fell in 1873
in that month. To make matters worse, no rain at all fell till the end of the year. Nor as
I am writing (5th February) has any cold season rain fallen, so that the anxiety of the cultiva
-
t o r s i s a l r e a d y b e i n g f e l t i n t h e p r i c e o f g r a i n . P u t t h e y e a r h a s b e e n r e m a r k a b l y h e a l t h y .
With regard to heat, the year was not marked by any excess, the greatest point being 97º in an
ordinary dwelling house.
V. Lines, barracks or huts.— The sepoys' lines are in good repair. The floors should be
raised and better ventilation secured.
The regimental bazar is in every respect clean, convenient, and not overcrowded. It is
the most wholesome bazar I have seen in India.
Temperat
ure.
Lines.