47
The greatest need is for ( i) the construction of modern fly proofed messing
blocks (ii) the construction of fly proofed latrines for all troops and followers
and all personnel in barracks, quarters and bungalows.
Electrification schemes or work have been carried out at Rawalpindi,
Lahore and Kohat and are in progress in several stations in Northern and
Eastern Commands.
C. HOT WEATHER PRECAUTIONS IN THE PLAINS.
From Northern Command, in which troops were on duty for days in the
open during the hot weather, it is considered to be proved by the experience
of the past few years that :—
" i t i s m u c h h e a l t h i e r t o k e e p m e n e m p l o y e d e v e n o u t o f d o o r s u p t o 1 1
and 12 o'clock, than to coop them up in barracks from 9 A.M. to
5 P. M."
It is considered to be even more important in hot weather that reveille'
should be at a much later hour than is the custom at present.
Extra issues of salt.—This was issued as a prophylactic against boils and
prickly heat. At Multan, Ferozepore and Peshawar all British troops and at
Kohat one third of the troops were placed on 1/4oz. of extra salt per day from the
15th May to the 30th September. The case was " not proven " from mere
records and figures. But on the other hand considerable subjective evidence
indicated that the extra salt increases the physical fitness and feeling of well
being of each individual and that their general health has benefitted. The
possible effect of this extra salt on heat stroke and particularly on heat exhaus-
tion have been discussed in paragraph 24.
D. WATER SUPPLIES.
The steady improvement of the past 20 years has been maintained and
as a whole military water supplies are reaching a high standard of excellence.
There are naturally exceptions and cases have been reported where trouble
has arisen from old pipe systems which are beginning to give way. Such
have occurred at Lahore and Secunderabad.
In Eastern Command it is recorded that there has been no disease directly
traceable to the drinking water supply. At Fort William, Calcutta the improve-
ments reported last year are now complete, the supply augmented and a new
chloronome installed. At Agra a new scheme is in progress ; but, owing to
the presence of fine sand and mica which precipitates rapidly, a sedimentation
tank is being substituted for filters. At . Lucknow, Ranikhet and Jhansi the
supply has been augmented by tube wells and storage. At the latter a lime
dosage apparatus has been added to deal with excessivea c i d i t y . A t F y z a b a d
the supply is bad from shallow wells with primitive chlorination and distribu-
tion. Improvements are projected for 1941.
In Northern Command in general the supplies are good. At Abbottabad
and Jhelum the condition is not satisfactory. The former relies on out of date
filters which are too small and a crude drip-feed dosage with bleach solution,
the accuracy of the dose depending on the whim of a chowkidar whose pay is
Rs. 13 per month. The latter is supplied mainly from shallow wells directly
connected with the water table of the river. The scheme, which would cost
Rs. 80,000, is third on the major list of works.
At Kohat, Chloramination and at Fort Lockart, two rapid sand filters
abolished the complaints of taste.
At Chaklala in water from artesian wells of great purity lactose factors
were found in small samples, so the tanks were cleaned. Lactose factors con-
- t i n u e d . i n v e s t i g a t i o n b y t h e D e p u t y A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r o f H y g i e n e d i s c l o s e d
the fact that the coolies had omitted the cleaning of the walls of the tanks for
lack of a ladder. Proper cleaning stopped the trouble.