138
MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.
and joined head-quarters at Umballa on the 1st February. On the 10th April a detachment
of 58 men proceeded to Murree, rejoining head-quarters on the 12th November; and
another detachment of 175 men and 1 European Officer marched on the 29th October for
Attock, where it remained till the end of the year.
Topography.
III. Topography —The topography and meteorology of this station have
been so frequently described, that it may be unnecessary to do so again on the
present occasion.
Lines.
V. Lines. —The lines were last occupied by the 14th Punjab Native Infantry, which left
the station in the beginning of December 1875. They had, therefore, been vacant for three months,
and were in a very dilapidated state when first taken over. They were, however, soon repaired,
and have since been kept in as good condition as they are susceptible of. The site is elevated
and well-drained, and the spaces between the huts are planted with trees in sufficient numbers
to afford agreeable shade in the hot weather without obstructing the ventilation. The accom-
modation consists of rudely constructed mud huts, with flat mud roofs. The blocks for the men
are divided by one longitudinal and several cross partition walls into compartments for the
accommodation of two, three, or four men each. The average space per man is 36.5 superficial
and 275.4 cubic feet, and there is no means of ventilation; except the doors, of which there is
one to each compartment. The floors are raised about a foot, and in front of each hut there
is a small court enclosed by a low mud wall. The earth, two or three inches below the surface
of the floors, is always damp, and in wet weather the walls and roofs of the huts become
saturated with moisture, and not unfrequently give way. In short, the defects are so many,
that the only remedy possible is the construction of new lines on the standard plan.
Drainage.
VI. Drainage. —The drainage of the station is carried off by two sets of nullahs, one of
which takes an easterly and the other a southerly course. The ramifications of these, and the
roadside trenches, form a complete system of drains, by which the rainfall disappears almost
as fast as it falls. The slope is everywhere sufficient to cause the whole surface of the ground,
as well as the drainage channels, to be thoroughly scoured by every heavy shower. The nullah
which receives the drainage of the sudder bazar, however, is often offensive, especially when
there has been a long absence of rain. A masonry bed has been laid down along a small
portion of this nullah, and is a great improvement.
Conservancy.
VII. Conservancy. —Latrines have been constructed for each of the native regiments, and
a few where most required for the public. All are unroofed, and those for the native troops
are mere screen walls of mud. Every compound also has its privy, generally unroofed, for
the use of the servants. All sewage is removed by the sweepers of the cantonment establish-
meat, and buried in trenches at a distance from all habitations. The distance is incon-
venient, especially for women and children. Urinals have been constructed in the lines,
which are kept clean by the regimental sweepers.
Water-supply.
VIII. Water-supply. —The water-supply of the station is derived almost entirely from
wells, which vary in depth from 60 to over 100 feet. Clothing is washed chiefly in the river,
which is also resorted to by natives for bathing. The men of the native infantry regiments
bathe in a tank, formed by a bund thrown across a nallah, ¾ mile to the front of their lines.
The water of the wells, which only is used for drinking and cooking, is generally wholesome
and palatable, but has a considerable degree of hardness, due to lime derived from the light-
coloured clay beds, in some of which it is found in the form of kunkur.
Diet.
IX. Diet. —Food-supplies of all kinds usually consumed by the men have been plentiful
and good. At Rawal Pindi the staple articles of diet, atta and dal, have been very cheap, and
all others—except vegetables, which have been rather dearer—have been procurable at much the
same prices as at Bareilly.
Clothing.
X. Clothing. —Since arrival at Rawal Pindi, a kaki suit of cotton drill, made large
enough to go over the other uniform, has been added to the outfit of the men; and they have
all provided themselves with additional articles of undress clothing of woollen material, such
as blankets, kurtas and pajamahs. The ammunition boot is still worn, but blisters of the feet
have been less frequent than in former years.
Duty.
XI. Duty. —The duties have not been excessive or prejudicial to health. The average
number of continuous nights in bed has been 8.66. Sepoys under 16 years' service have, as
usual, been practised in running drill in the cold weather, and no injury has resulted.
Marches and
service.
XIII. Marches and service. —From the 1st to the 20th January, the head-quarters of
the regiment was at the camp of exercise at Delhi. The weather was cold, but other-
wise favourable, and there was less sickness than during the early period of the camp.
The most frequent cause of admission into hospital was dysentery, attributed to eating gram,
of which there were 6 cases. The regimental encampment, the sanitary arrangements, the
duties and the arrangements for the care of the sick, were described in last year's report.
The regiment marched from Delhi on the 21st of January, and having been joined by the
detachment left at Bareilly in 1875 at Umballa, arrived at Rawal Pindi on the 13th March.
The weather during the whole time was very cold; but little rain was encountered till towards,
the end of the journey. There was considerably more sickness than at the camp of exercise,
due chiefly to ague, dysentery, mumps and diseases of the respiratory organs. The camping
grounds and surroundings, with the exception of those at Organa. Doriana, Jullundur and
Garenda, were fairly clean; but owing to the large number of regiments which had recently
occupied them, the soil of nearly all smelt of urine. The water at some was very turbid, and