Doaba Out-posts.
Shubkudder.
Michnee
Abazai.
Mackeson.
PUNJAB ERONTIER FORCE.
157
repression is a difficulty against which the police appear at almost every station incompetent
to contend.
Doaba Out-posts. —The following notes on these Out-posts are extracted.
from Mr. Banister's inspection report:—
These forts are garrisoned by detachments, each consisting of 50 cavalry and 90 infantry,
from the different native regiments garrisoned at Nowshera and Peshawar, and are tolerably
healthy.
Shubkudder, with the attached walled-in and excessively dirty village of Shimkingpur, in
which a dispensary has been established, occupies a central position between Michni and Abazai,
about 19 miles due north of Peshawur. On the day of my inspection, the 30th of March,
during heavy and continued rain, the fort enclosure, though fairly drained, was very muddy,
and, owing to repairs in progress, in more or less disorder. There was good accommodation for
the troops and suitable hospital arrangements for 15 beds. There was a sufficient supply of
medicines and instruments, and only one on the sick list. The establishment consisted of a
hospital assistant, 6 kahars, a sweeper and bhisty, who also assisted at the fort duties.
The three Out-posts constituted a separate charge for a medical officer, and was held by
Surgeon G. R. Daphtary, M. D.
Michnee.—Fort Michnee occupies an isolated position on the left bank of the Cabul river
close under the Momund Hills, 9 miles south-west of Shubkudder, and consists of a central
fortress in which the officers on duty are accommodated and an intrenched outer enclosure sur
- r o u n d e d b y a f o s s e . M y i n s p e c t i o n w a s m a d e o n t h e m o r n i n g o f t h e 3 0 t h M a r c h d u r i n g
soaking rain, and the place appeared perhaps in worse order than would ordinarily be the case.
The quarters occupied by the troops were suitable enough and not overcrowded. There was no
one on the sick list, and the hospital, which furnished ample space for 12 beds, was tolerably
clean. The supply of medicines was altogether inadequate, and most of the instruments worn
out and unserviceable. The conservancy arrangements could not have been more unsatis
- f a c t o r y , a n d t h e r e w e r e h e a p s o f s t a b l e l i t t e r a n d r u b b i s h i n t h e i m m e d i a t e v i c i n i t y o f t h e
entrance into the fort.
The establishment was on the same footing as that at Shubkudder, and the arrangement
worked satisfactory.
Abazai.— I v i s i t e d F o r t A b a z a i , w h i c h i s s i t u a t e d o n t h e l e f t b a n k o f t h e S w a t r i v e r , 9 m i l e s
north of it Shubkudder, on the 31st March. It is on the same plan as Michnee but with the
advantage of a more spacious outer enclosure and far better conservancy arrangements. Every
thing was in excellent order; there were no sick, and the hospital was fairly equipped.
Fort Mackeson —Is situated 19 miles due south of Peshawur, near to the Kohat Pass, and
garrisoned by 32 sepoys and 23 sowars, derived from the regiments at Nowshera, with a Nnative
officer in command. Reliefs take place every three months, and, except in September and Octo
- b e r , t h e r e i s l i t t l e . o r n o s i c k n e s s . I f o u n d t h e e n c l o s u r e a t m y i n s p e c t i o n o n t h e 5 t h D e c e m b e r
generally in fair order, but nuisances had been habitually committed in several places, and the
conservancy grossly neglected. There were good quarters for the troops, and on the comple
- t i o n o f i m p r o v e m e n t s t h e n i n p r o g r e s s , t h e a c c o m m o d a t i o n f o r t h e s i c k w o u l d b e s u i t a b l e
enough: The supply of medicines and other hospital necessaries was altogether inadequate,
but shortly afterwards the equipment was placed on an efficient footing.
PUNJAB FRONTIER FORCE.
(INCLUDING THE STATIONS OF ABBOTTABAD, MARDAN, KOHAT, EDWARDESABAD, DERA ISMAIL KHAN
DERA GHAZI KHAN, AND RAJANPUR.)
Average strength present during the year Artillery 516.9; Cavalry 1875.2; Infantry 7493.7
Average daily sick per cent. of the average strength " 4.41 " 6.1 "
4.4
Ratio of mortality per cent. of the average strength " 82 " 1.14 "
1.5
K a z a r a M o u n t a i n B a t t e r y — A b b o t t a b a d .
T h i s b a t t e r y w a s h e l d a s a n a d d i t i o n a l m e d i c a l c h a r g e b y s e v e r a l M e d i c a l
officers. Surgeon-Major
S. Mackertich, who held
the charge at the close of
the year, reports:
I I . — L o c a t i o n a n d m o v e m e n t s .
—The battery continued to be
stationed at Abbottabad during
the year, marching out occa
-sionally to the district for prac
-tice on the hills. A detach
- m e n t o f 3 6 g u n n e r s , u n d e r t h e
c o mma n d o f Ca p t a i n d e L a u t o u r ,
proceeded on the 2nd October
to the Duffla expedition.
The lines are kept in. beautiful
order, and the gunners' bar-
Q1
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTH.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1869
Abbottabad, April 1866,
from Kohat
312.8
10.9
1870
Ditto ditto
284.8
.7
5.5
1871
Kohat, March 1871
224.4
1. 1
4.2
1872
Ditto ditto
228.6
2. 3
3.5
1873
Abbottabad, Feby. 1873
148.
1. 2
2.9
Average.
239.7
1. 1
5.4
1874
Abbottabad
178.3
3.1
Medical
charge.
Location,
Lines.