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blocks of quarters. There is no question but that the best type for military
and cantonment health in general is the Group type of latrine which is fly
proofed. This must however be close at hand to the quarters otherwise the
whole object is defeated; also if close at hand the latrine is likely to receive
the better supervision.
Group latrines of this type are being provided for new constructions.
(iii) Cantonment sanitation schemes and general control .—In many canton-
ments attention is being paid to the need for a definite scheme for sanitation.
For example, in Northern Command, the D. D. M. S. has arranged that a 10
year plan should be drawn up for each cantonment in the hope that some
lasting results may finally be achieved. It is estimated that the normal mini-
mum sanitary improvements would cost in a small cantonment one lakh of
rupees and in the large cantonments two lakhs.
Anti-plague measures .—These were continued in Poona at the cost of
Rs. 2,000 and the scheme carried through as in previous years. Definite value
for money and time expended is claimed for the scheme.
Private bungalows.—The compounds of bungalows whether occupied by
officers or civilians are a constant source of trouble in cantonments. In many
cases unauthorised dwellers in servants quarters are the greatest offenders.
and are the source of epidemics and infections. These require strict control
and supervision. Attention is being given to this matter.
Trenching Grounds.—At Jhansi progress has been achieved in that agree-
- m e n t h a s b e e n r e a c h e d f o r t h e m u n i c i p a l t r e n c h i n g g r o u n d t o b e m o v e d a w a y
some two miles further from barracks. This should have a definite effect
in reducing the present high rate of admissions for dysentery.
Hotel and Boarding house sanitation .—There have been several outstand- -
ing examples of single cases or multiple outbreaks of intestinal infection,
usually dysentery, in fashionable and expensive hotels at which numbers of
military officers were living. In one case after the occurrence of typhoid
infection, a condition was found in the kitchen of the leading expensive hotel
of a large town in the north which would fully have justified placing the hotel
out of bounds to all military personnel.
Unit lines.—As a whole the sanitation within unit lines is of a good
standard. Naturally these vary, but it is quite evident that permanency of'
tenure such as enjoyed by a Training Battalion makes for much better general.
sanitation than is obtained when units are liable to frequent moves.
(iv) Fly-proofing.—Progress is gradually being made in providing fly
proofing for kitchens, dining places, cookhouses, and food stores. Complaint
is often made by many medical officers of the lack of fly proofing for latrines
of Indian troops. A further point is made of the presence of large numbers
of open menial-latrines in cantonments whereas British troops latrines are
fly-proofed. In view of the second point and the other numerous sources of
infection present in the bazaars the full fly-proofing of cookhouses, dining
rooms and food stores appears to be the most important.
Fly-proofing by means of wire-gauze made of No. 22 I. W. S. G. wire with,
9 meshes to the linear inch has been made the standard type.
Kitchen's Window Fly Trap.—A description of this extracted from the
'Military Surgeon' was circulated to all stations with a request for trial.
This consists of a trap composed of a frame holding two sheets of wire
gauze in each of which grooved depressions allow access by means of small