222

MEDICAL AND SANITARY REPORT OF THE NATIVE ARMY OF BENGAL.

with moisture, the least exertion was productive of much discomfort and perspiration, and the
sickness in the regiment gradually increased, culminating in June, July, and only diminished
as the rain decreased.

Lines,bar-
racks, &c.

     V. Lines, barracks, &c. —These have been fully described in the report of Mr. Gray for
1875. Two of the 12 huts composing the lines in the Fort, were all but blown down in a
storm. They were pulled down by order of the Commanding Officer, and two new and much
more commodious huts were erected in their stead. These are loftier and better ventilated;
besides the four doors, two in the length and two in the breadth, there are three large skylight
ventilators and eight windows to each hut. There is, moreover, a large convenient verandah
along either side of each hut. All the huts, &c., which house the men both on the pickets
and in the Fort, were freshly thatched during the year, and kept in good repair all the year
round. The old huts were each provided with three ample skylight ventilators by the orders
of the Commanding Officer on a representation being made to him that extra ventilation was
needed. These roof-ventilators are particularly good for the attainment of their object, as the
men on cold nights can scarcely block them up in any way.

Drainage, &c.

     VI. Drainage, &c. —The drainage is natural and perfect. Even after the heaviest and
longest continued showers of rain, no water is to be seen anywhere on the ground half an
hour after the fall has ceased. The houses of the sepoys were, as regards their floors, &c.,
quite dry and snug in the heaviest of these rains.

Conservancy
and latrines.

     VII. Conservancy and latrines. —On the pickets in the Fort at Centrabari and in the station
generally, the conservancy is good and perfect, and the latrines clean. The burial of the
excreta in the jungles is regularly and thoroughly carried out by an efficient staff of servants,
who are well supervised.

Water-supply.

     VIII. Water-supply. —The Fort is supplied by two sparkling springs at the base of the
plateau on which the Fort is built; the water is perfectly delicious in taste, coolness and color.
The waters from these overflowing springs form a good sized stream, whose water, nearest the
springs, is used for cooking, and further down-hill for the washing of the sepoys and
of clothes; this supply is constant. On the north-west picket, water is obtained from a
spring situated at least a mile away, the water being conducted all the way in bamboos, which
lead it into three large tanks outside the picket close to its cook-houses; one tank is for the use
of Hindu, one for that of Mussulman sepoys, and one is common for bathing. This water is good.
On the Magdála picket, water is also obtained from a spring situated in its neighbourhood; the
water is very sweet and good. On the Conical-hill picket, water is obtained from springs in a
neighbouring ravine; this supply was good, but scanty, just before the commencement of the
rains. At Centrabari the drinking water is obtained from a stream, which is the result of the
mingling of the waters overflowing from the springs before described as being used by the
inhabitants of the Fort. Goître is endemic in Baxa, and several cases have occurred in the
regiment; its causation is, however, obscure.

Diet, &c.

     IX. Diet, &c. —The men were supplied by the Commissariat Department during the year;
they sometimes complained, but, on the whole, they were well-nourished. It must be stated that
frequent committees were held on the food, and great care was taken by the officers concerned;
that the men should be properly supplied with the best that was to be got. Vegetables are
not common either; there are, however, all the year round potatoes. These and whatever else
was in the market or in the regimental gardens were invested in by most of the men.

Clothing, &c.

     X. Clothing, &c. —There is nothing new to report on under this heading. It was suited
to the changes of the climate. The water-proof cloaks were exceedingly serviceable; they kept
out all but the heaviest rain. There were 31 admissions for blister of the foot; these were
brought about in most of the cases by the use of the regulation boots. Shortly alter the arrival
of the regiment in Baxa, they were provided, by order of the Commanding Officer, with
jackets closely buttoned, of an exceedingly warm, grey, blanketstuff, which were much
valued, and doubtless warded off many a cough or fever.

Duty, &c.

     X1. Duty, &c. —The duty consisted of the usual parades, picket duty, jungle cutting.
It was not at all severe. Average of nights in bed during the year 5.60.

Exercise and
amusements.

     XII. Exercise and amusements. —The men had plenty of amusements during the year, in
which they were much encouraged by their officers; they seemed to take to our English games
very kindly, such as cricket. foot-ball; and a few played at quoits. The Goorkha sepoys
indulged frequently in hunting, &c.; birds and fish were their principal game. These they found
in abundance in the neighbouring woods and mountain streams. There is an elegant and tidily
kept wrestling-house, with grounds tastily laid out, where all used to amuse themselves of
an evening for occupation; otherwise, the men had a fairly large garden, of about an acre in
extent, in which they exercised their talents as agriculturists.

Hospital.

     XIV. Hospital. —The hospital is situated within a few steps of the lines inside the fort;
it has a southern aspect. It is a one-storied building constructed of the usual material in
use here, viz ., thatch of grass for roof, supported on a bamboo frame-work; for walls, split
bamboo, plastered with mud, all supported by rough pillars of wood. It is provided with a
verandah extending along its south side. In length it is 112 feet; in breadth, including verandah,
31 feet; the height of the walls is 9 feet, and that to the ridge is 17 feet. It contains one large
ward, extreme length 99 feet, and breadth 25 feet; besides this ward and the verandah there is a
small dispensary and a small office separated from each other by a passage leading into the
ward from the entrance door or porch. The floor is of concrete covered with a very coarse
matting, and has been and is quite dry. The walls are provided with 11 windows and 9 glass
doors. The largest number that can be accommodated is 36 patients in the ward, but 5 more