96

MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL

remained until the 4th of December, on which date the regiment marched from Dehra en route to
Delhi for escort duty at the Imperial Assemblage. Left Delhi for Calcutta by rail on the 5th
January, and arrived on the morning of the 9th. On the 3rd March, a detachment of 26 men
was sent to Benares and Allahabad on escort duty; rejoined head-quarters on the 11th March.
Twenty men went to Peshawar on escort duty with the Viceroy in October; rejoined head-
quarters at Delhi on 15th December. Another detachment of 20 men was sent to Lahore and
rejoined head-quarters on 8th December.

Topography.

     III.Topography.— The situation of the Body Guard lines at Ballygunge in the suburbs of
Calcutta is so well known, and has been so frequently described, that it is not, I think, necessary
to go over the same ground again.

Lines and
barracks.

      V. Lines and barracks .—There are no regular lines as in other regiments; one of the
four blocks of stabling has been converted into a barrack-room and affords good accommodation
for the regiment during the cold season. As the Body-Guard was last year augmented to
the strength of 120 men, this one building is not quite sufficient, and about 15 men have been
put into a building that was formerly used for a magazine. The main building, which is
sub-divided into four compartments, and is the only recognized accommodation for the men,
gives 67.55 superficial and 962.59 cubic feet per man of present strength. The lines
which the regiment occupy at Dehra, I am not personally acquainted with, but they are
favourably reported on in the monthly sanitary reports.

Drainage.

     VI. Drainage.— There are surface masonry drains in the immediate vicinity of buildings,
and ordinary drains through the lines which carry off all refuse water from the stables and
lines. They are kept as clean as possible, but cannot be said to be perfect, as the ground is so
low and flat that there is not much fall.

Conservancy
and latrines.

      VII. Conservancy and latrines.— There is an establishment of sweepers, and the lines are
kept clean and in good order. The latrines are of solid masonry, conveniently situated and in
good order; all refuse is daily removed in air-tight receptacles. At Dehra there are no
latrines; the men resort to the fields to leeward of lines.

Water-supply.

     VIII. Water-supply.— The men are now supplied with water for drinking and cooking
purposes from municipal stand-pipes. At Dehra, it is obtained from open canals in the vicinity.
The quality is inferior, but it is boiled and filtered previous to use.

Diet.

     IX. Diet.— The men provide their own food and have good kitchens for cooking.

Clothing.

     X. Clothing.— Is good and suitable.

Duty, &c.

     XI. Duty and employment.— Guards, escort duty, and drills. Duties not excessive.

Exercise and
amusements.

     XII. Exercise and amusements.— The men are very much encouraged by their officers to
play polo, which they enjoy very much. During the Viceroy's stay in Calcutta, they have lots
of exercise, but not much time for amusement.

Marches and
Service.

     X1II. Marches and service.— The movements of the regiment during the past year are
fully detailed in paragraph 11.

Hospital.

     XIV. Hospital.— A stone building in the immediate vicinity of the lines. The situation is
very low and would be very damp in the rainy reason, but as it is only used in the cold weather,
it answers admirably for the requirements of the regiment. The superficial area is 1,880, and
the cubic area 28,200 feet.

Sickness,
mortality and
invaliding.

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

Principal
causes of,
sickness.

     XVI. Principal causes of sickness. —Intermittent fever is always more or less prevalent,
there have not been quite as many cases as last year. The other cases were owing to slight
derangement of digestive organs.