POONA DIVISION OF THE ARMY.

49

ters, and other wing remaining at Malligaum. It so happened that the latrines for the former
were finished first, and the solitary tank cart was indented for and obtained. But when the
the latrines at Malligaum were completed and a tank cart indented for, it was refused, on the
plea that the one cart sanctioned by regulation had already been supplied to the Regiment.
They were allowed two or three extra sweepers, and told to make the best arrangement they
could. The result was that the sweepers could not carry the pans far, they deposited their
contents on the nearest spot beyond camp limits, viz., on the opposite or left bank of the
river. Had they been disposed to remove it further, they could not have done so, as the
ground up to the very edge of the bank is private property. This river supplies water to the
town, the cantonment, bazaar, and the chief well of the lines; the latter being the highest up
the stream, On inspecting the spot where the filth was deposited, I found it still higher up than
the well. It was moreover at the lowest portion of the bank, almost on a level with the water,
so much so that the slightest rise in the stream must cause its free admixture with the water,
while the liquid state of the deposits must have been constantly furnishing contamination.

   I next examined the contents of the well and made inquiries respecting the alleged quality
of the water; I found it clear and sparkling, and people seemed to approve of it as being good.
This appeared strange considering its vicinity to such an accumulation of filth, and fortunately
before leaving Malligaum, I had the opportunity of seeing the result of an analysis of some of
it, which had a little time before been sent by Dr. Murray to the Chemical Analyser to Govern-
ment. From this it appeared, as might have been expected, that the amount of nitrite and
nitrate was 1.47 per gallon. As water containing only 0.41 was pronounced by the Health
Officer of London as "very dirty and vile" and unfit to drink—what must be the supposed quality
of the Malligaum well water?

   On ascertaining the above facts, I pointed them out to the Major-General Commanding
the Division, and suggested that a tank cart should at once be provided, and a suitable plot of
ground (at least half a mile from camp) be purchased, if otherwise unattainable, for the recep-
tion of the filth. He informed me afterwards that he had sent my letter on to head quarters.
Ultimate result as yet unknown.

   13 s