104

MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.

37th The Heeernt Regiment Hative—Barielly.

Medical
Officers.

      I. Medical Officers .—Surgeon G. Ranking was in charge of the regi-
ment up to October 17th,
and Surgeon-Major R. F.
Hutchinson, M.D. (by
whom this report has been
submitted), from the 18th
October to the 31st of
December.

Location and
movements.

      II. Location and move-
ments .—The regiment, com-
manded by Colonel Bruce, left
Fort William on the 15th Janu-
ary by rail en route for Cawnpore,
and arriving at Dinapore on the
16th, halted one day at the rest-
camp. Cawnpore was reached on
the 18th, and next day the march Bareilly-wards commenced. The weather was very
favorable; the camping-grounds, with two exceptions, were well shaded, and the water-
supply, good and plentiful. There were a very great number of admissions for primary
syphilis and blistered feet. At Farakhabad three men were left in charge of the medical
officer with detachment, 36th Regiment Native Infantry, being too ill to proceed. The
number of sick requiring transport was so great that extra carriage was provided on
the authority of a regimental order. On arrival at Bareilly; on 4th February, there were
upwards of 50 sick. From that time, however, a great improvement became evident in
the health of the regiment, though there still remained a great many eases of fevers.

Topography.

      III Topography.— The topography of the station has been described by Surgeon-Major
J. Tuson, M.D., in his annual report for 1874, p. 104, 9. v.

Meteorology
and climate.

      IV. Meteorology and climate. —No meteorological observations have been recorded of any
value.

Lines, bar-
racks or huts.

      V. Lines, barracks or huts,— The lines of this regiment, consisting of tiled kutelia sheds,
lie to the extreme north-east of the station, directly abutting to the east on the Shahjahanpur
road. They comprise twelve parallel lines running due west-north-west in their length,
and each line consisting of two long sectional huts, each measuring roughly 86.3 X 17.10
7.5 (to eaves), the ridge pole being 11 feet high. Until recently, the lines consisted of only
four sections, but on Deputy Surgeon-General Cannon's representation, four more sections
on each side of the original block were added, and thus relieved what must have been a
condition of excessive and dangerous overcrowding. The sections being built nearly east and
west, are unfavorably situated for ventilation, and can never be scoured by the easterly or
westerly winds; but, on the other hand, being unprovided with doors; they are protected from
the fiery blast of the west hot wind.

Drainage.

      VI. Drainage . —Not having been here in the rains, I cannot speak from experience of the
drainage; but after two days of heavy showers (October 14th and. 16th) I saw enough to
convince me that there was no accumulation of surface water.

Conservancy.

      VII.Conservancy. —The conservancy of the lines is simply and efficiently provided for
by the use of two long movable sheds of corrugated zinc and two soorkee screens. I lately
examined the used ground, and could find nothing offensive to sight or smell.

Water-supply.

      VIII. Water-supply.- The water-supply is from wells, and is ample and sweet. On
November 19th 1 reported to the commanding officer that the water of the bazar-well
was offensive, and unfit for use: the well was cleaned out thoroughly, and the water again.
became potable.

Diet.

      IX.Diet —Since assuming charge, I have weekly inspected the supplies in the bazar, and
have not had a single occasion to find fault either with their quantity or quality. The
food of the men is of the usual description—atta, rice, the dais, and ghee, those choosing
to do so providing themselves with meat. I certainly have had no occasion to suspect under-
feeding.

Clothing.

      X.Clothing. —In this regiment coats and trousers, white or red-and-blue, are worn accord-
in; to the season. Native made boots of the ammunition pattern are worn without socks.

Duties.

      XI.Duties — am not in a position to report whether the duties of the year have been
excessive. The number of continuous nights in bed have been 7.

Exercise,&c.

      XII. Exercise, &c .—With the exception of slight gardening, the sepoys have no amuse-
ments worth recording.

Hospital.

      X11V. Hospital .—When I assumed charge, I found the hospital undergoing repair, one-half
unroofed, the other half partitioned off by a soorkee screen, which, as far as protection from
cold was concerned; might just as well have been wholly absent. Through the kindness of
Colonel Bruce, who was then commanding the station, we lost no time in moving into the
empty hospital of the 16th Bengal Cavalry.