ALLAHABAD DIVISION.
23
Medical
officers.
Location and
movements.
T o p o g r a p h y
a n d p h y s i c a l
g e o g r a p h y .
Meteorology
and climate.
Rainfall.
Temperature..
Lines.
Drainage.
Conservancy
and latrines.
Water .
Diet..
High prices.
Food staples.
Milk.
34th (Huttehgurh) Regiment natibe Intantrp-Allhabad.
I. Medical Officers.—The annual report is furnished by Surgeon C. W. S.
Deakin, who relieved Sur-
geon-Major F. Odevaine in
the medical charge of the
regiment on the 1st of
March 1877.
II. Lo cation and movements.—
The regiment arrived at Allaha-
bad on 23rd November 1874;
head-quarters remained here dur-
ing the year. A company is
always on duty at the Fort; it is
relieved every Monday. A de-
tachrnent, averaging 87.41 for
1877, left head-quarters for Fort
Chunar, on 12th October 1876,
and rejoined the regiment on April
10th, 1877.
III. Topography and physical geography.—During the rains, when the Ganges is flooded,
the Native Infantry lines stand on a piece of land which is almost an island. They are then
only connected with the rest of the station by a neck of land some 100 yards wide at the /
south-west corner. Owing to the unusual dryness of the year, the Ganges rose but slightly,
and the greater part of its bed remained dry the whole year. The main stream of the river
flows at a distance of nearly two miles to the north of the Native Infantry lines.
IV
. Meteorology and climate.—Under this head Surgeon Deakin points
out that 1877 was a minimum sunspot year, and gives data in support of
Mr. Archibald's conclusion, that in a minimum sunspot year the summer rainfall
is below, and the winter fall above, the average.
The rainfall has been. very small during the year; 20.85 inches fell in 29 days,
compared with 59-9 inches in 42 days in 1875 and 31.1 inches in 28 days in 1876. The winter
rainfall (November to April inclusive) was 5.2 inches, which all fell in January to April in 10
days. The summer rainfall (May to October inclusive) was 15.65 inches (it fell on 19 days),
as compared with 59.9 inches in 1875 and 31.1 inches in 1876. The winter rainfall for both
these years was nil.
The mean temperature of the year was above the average, due to an abnor-
mal elevation during the last six months of the year. The lines are in good
repair, and afford ample accommodation. The whitewashing of tiled roofs, as
practised in South Wales, is suggested as a means of protection against the sun.
The arrangements for drainage and conservancy are satisfactory.
The latrines are on the trench system, with movable screens. During the year the
remaining old wooden frames, which were covered with canvas and thatch, have been replaced
by substantial galvanized iron latrines, with roofs of the same material. The screens are
mounted on rollers. The latrines work admirably, and are free from odour. The latrine for
women has also been supplied with new galvanized iron screens during the year. About
three acres of ground are used for the latrines; it is regularly cultivated. During the rains
it is only necessary to bank up some of the newly-excavated earth round the trenches to
prevent the inflow of surface water.
Water is obtained from wells, and the supply is ample and good. The
level of water in the wells was in 1877 considerably below that of former years.
IX. Diet.—Sepoys are not required to spend any fixed proportion of their pay with the
bunniahs in this regiment, but no cases of underfeeding have come under my notice during the
year. Owing to the dryness of the year, prices have been high, and compensation for dearness
of provisions has been granted to the sepoys and Government establishments. In the begin-
ning of 1877, atta sold for 13 to 15 seers per rupee; towards the close of the year, October, it was
7 to 8 seers, and in December, 8 to 9 seers, per rupee. The supply has generally been good and
sufficient, but at the beginning of the year I had occasionally to report the bunniahs for selling
coarse atta, dirty and inferior samples of rice, bran containing weevils, &c.; and fines were
inflicted. Later on, I had to report the wheat used for grinding in the new regimental mill on
one occasion. The sample, a very inferior one, was badly cleaned, containing many undersized
grains; other grains were mere husks, the flour having been eaten out by insects. It was
such a sample as would only have been sold in England as "tail end" for poultry food ;
it might perhaps be scarcely described as "unfit for human food," but when the sepoys are
compelled to pay the bunniahs a high price, they are entitled to a good article. Very fair
mutton is sold in the lines at ten pice per seer. The meat, fish and milk are brought to
hospital daily for inspection, before being exposed for sale. The milk supplied was occasionally
YEAR.
STATION.
PER CENT. OF STRENGTII.
Admissions. Deaths. Daily sick.
1872
Morar, November 1870,
from Lncknow.
234.8
1.6
7.2
1873
Ditto
162.2
. 8
6.1
1874
Allahabad Nov. 1874
128.5
1.4
2.7
1875
Ditto
82.
.5
2.3
1876
Ditto
43.5
.9
. 8
Average
130.2
1.04
3.8
1877
Allahabad
84.26
.57
2.60