442 Voyage of the Novara. 



the minor surgical operations. Of the hundred of an auditory 

 who at the period of our visit were attending a lecture on 

 chemistry, the majority were half-blooded Indians, dressed in 

 the European fashion, with a sprinkling of barely 9 or 10 

 Hindoos in their white robes, and with the Vishnu or Siva 

 marks on their forehead. We frequently heard the professors, 

 among whom are several gentlemen of high scientific attain- 

 ments, such, for instance, as Messrs. Evans, Lorimer, Mudge, 

 Montgomery, Mayr, &c., express their regret at the severe 

 check which the development of science smstained by the out- 

 break of the late revolt. Plans for a new university, a hos- 

 pital, and a medical school to correspond are all ready, and but 

 for that ruinous catastrophe would have been by this time in 

 working order. 



In other respects the present Infirmary is an ugly and 

 unsuitable building, making up about 100 beds for patients. 

 Several of these were occupied by soldiers, who had been 

 severely wounded under Havelock at the storming of Delhi, 

 The introduction of punkahs, or wind-fans, into the wards has 

 proved so salutary, that there is an intention to have them 

 worked without intermission day and night, by means of water 

 power, instead of by manual labour as hitherto. In order to be 

 able to estimate the boon conferred by such an improvement 

 upon the condition of the poor invalids, we must call to mind 

 that the average annual temperature of Madras is about 94° 

 Fahr., which is slightly in excess of the average temperature 

 at the equator, although Madras is 10 degrees north of the line. 



