4

men have cattle-stables close to their houses. For example, one of the Munici-
pal Commissioners, Mr. Vyasrao Ramrao Desai, keeps a large number of cattle
in a shed adjoining his house, the atmosphere in which was so offensive that
I was unable to stop there. No means of ventilation had been provided, and
there were no drains by which the urine from the animals could run off, and
the dung fell on to the floor and had not been removed at the time of my visit.
Again, another Municipal Commissioner, the Rao Saheb Shrinivasrao Hanumunt,
the Government Pleader, has built a magnificent durbar room over his cattle
stable. The atmosphere in the latter was so tainted with ammonia, and occasioned
such an immediate pain in my lungs, that I was unable to breathe it, and was glad
to get out into the external air. I am sure I have only to bring this matter
thus prominently to the notice of the two very intelligent gentlemen I have
named to convince them that animals kept in such an atmosphere cannot enjoy
perfect health, and that their milk cannot be wholesome or pure, or even free
from danger to health, so that as the milk is the principal food of the young, the
greatest care should be taken by all to provide it in the purest state possible, and
such can only be done by allowing a greater amount of fresh air to each
animal. I am aware that the ignorant herdsman believes that such a stifling
atmosphere is necessary for his milch cattle to yield an abundant supply of milk.
It is; indeed, very probable that the circulation, highly excited and stimulated by
an impure atmosphere may, for a time, induce a greater amount of secretion; but
it renders the milk impure, and, if given to children, the seeds of disease and
death may be sown. I would, therefore, strongly advise that instant action be
taken to provide both for the houses and the cattle sheds a greater means of
ventilation. For the houses, windows not less than 2 x 3 feet should be let into
the external walls. For the tiled roofs, openings such as are usually made in cook-
houses should be made, the roof should be raised about 6inches for a length of about
4 feet, so that whilst there would be a ready escape for the fouled air there

[NLS note: a graphic appears here - see image of 75009712.tif]

would be no chance of thieves being able to get in. For the flat mud roofs the
arrangement I have seen in Persia might be adopted, viz.—a door, open entirely on
one side, although barred, is built over a central opening in the roof; this opening

[NLS note: a graphic appears here - see image of 75009712.tif]

is about 3 feet square, and in the event of cattle-stables being allowed under in
habited rooms—which they certainly ought not to be—then not only should the
external walls be pierced so as to allow a current of air to pass-through, but air-
shafts, one foot square, should be carried up from the four corners of the ceiling,
and be continued through the upper rooms out into the external air above the
roof; these cases should be very exceptional.