22

MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.

Meteorology
and climate.

     IV. Meteorology and climate. —The rains set in on 3rd July; the rainfall is rather below
the average. The climate of Dinapore is very different from that of Cachar; it is con-
siderably better, and very much drier. The minimum temperature recorded in hospital was
54° in December. I happened to know, however, that in that month, in tents, the thermometer
went down so low as 44.9.

Lines.

     V. Lines. —The lines are built on the permanent bank of the Ganges; the ground slopes
gently to the south: there are many fine trees in the lines, affording in the hot weather
very grateful shade. South of the lines is the parade-ground, a fine open piece of ground.
On the immediate right of the lines, separated from them by only a shallow nullah (which
latter running north and south forms the boundary of cantonments) is a very filthy cowherd
village. It is less than 160 yards from the huts of A Company, and only about 40 yards from
the cook-houses of the right wing. The main road runs along the front of the lines, separating
them from the parade-ground.

Drainage.

     VI. Drainage. —The drainage of the lines is chiefly natural and is suffi-
cient. The ventilation of the huts is effected entirely by cross doors, and may
on the whole be considered sufficient. "A little roof ventilation," adds Surgeon
Moriarty, " would perhaps be desirable. "

Bazar.

     Bazar. —The bazar is in the south-east corner of cantonments, some 300 or 400 yards
from the lines, and the huts are of similar construction to those in the lines; the accommodation
is, on the whole, sufficient. The bazar has, on the whole, been very cleanly kept throughout
the year.

Conservancy
and latrines.

     VII. Conservancy and latrines. —The general conservancy of the station is carried out under
cantonment arrangements. The ordinary dust and refuse are removed in dust carts, the excreta
in Crowley carts; the filth is buried in trenches.

Erection of
new latrine.

     It was found necessary to erect a new latrine during the year, conducted on
the dry-earth system. It is chiefly used by men on duty, or those who cannot
afford the time to go further. In the cold and dry weather the great majority
of the men resort to the jungle for the purposes of nature, and they will ever
do so while there is ground available.

Water-supply.

     VIII.Water-supply —The water-supply is derived from wells, of which there are four in
the lines, one on the parade-ground, and one in the hospital compound. A well has recently
been sunk near the bazar. In the rains the river water is sometimes used; there are no
tanks. The well-water is sufficient in quantity; its quality is not so good, being largely
impregnated with mineral impurities, the chief of these being the carbonates, sulphates, and
chlorides of lime and magnesia. In the rains, of course, the well water is not so bad, the
impurities being then so much more diluted. The river water in the rains appears to be of
very fair quality.

Diet.

     IX. Diet. —Food of all kinds is to be obtained, and cheap. Vegetables of all kinds are
very plentiful: indeed, Dinapore is rather famed for its vegetable gardens. To the best of my
belief the practice of under-feeding does not exist in this regiment. Hitherto recruits
have undoubtedly been tempted to under-feed themselves, but now, through the Imperial
bounty, there can be no excuse for such a practice.

Clothing.

     X. Clothing. —Clothing unchanged since last report; the men were supplied with new
boots just before the regiment left Cachar, and as a consequence there were a good many
cases of blisters of feet by the time they reached Dinapore; the men are not supplied with
stockings, and they will not buy them of their own free will.

Duty, &c.

     XI. Duty and employment. —The average number of continuous nights in bed for the
year was but a small portion–under 14; the ordinary duty therefore was by no means excessive.

Hospital.

     XIV. Hospital. —The hospital is on the left of the lines, some 80 yards from the cook-
houses of the left wing: beyond it again to the east are the European Infantry lines; it is in
an enclosed compound. In this compound, to the east of the hospital and nearly at right-angles
to it, is the old European hospital, a very large building which is now used as a cholera
hospital, the eastern end by British troops, the western by Native. In the hospital compounp
there is also an hospital assistant’s house, a cook-house, a dead-house, a row of huts giving
accommodation to the native medical pupils and hospital servants, and a latrine. All these
buildings are in good order. The hospital itself is a very fine lofty building; it was in former
days the European female hospital; it faces east and west: on every side, except the west,
there is a wide verandah. The space, superficial as well as breathing, is ample. Under
ordinary circumstances there is no chance of overcrowding. The building is in good repair.
The site is as good and salubrious as any the station affords. The drainage of the compound
is similar to that of the lines; it is sufficient. The hospital cots are charpoys made with good
English cord; they are very nice in the cold weather, but in the hot weather and rains
they are infested with bugs. so much so, that the patients often prefer to sleep on the floor.

Sickness,
mortality
and invalid-
ing.

     XV.—Sickness, mortality and invaliding. —Strength of the regiment.