34 



MANUAL OF THE NILAGIRI DISTRICT. 



CHAP. III. cultivation, and also to the numerous public works which have 

 Population ^^^n undertaken during the last five years, especially in Ootaca- 



mand and Wellington; meanwhile, however, until the year 1877 



no epidemic disease has to any considerable extent prevailed 

 among these people. The same causes have also tended to 

 improve the condition of the hill-people. In the early notices 

 the miserable condition of the Badaga villagers is more than once 

 referred to. The women are spoken of as lean and emaciated, the 

 children as having protuberant stomachs, thin and fleshless legs, 

 — the true signs of short and hard fare. The appearance their 

 women and children now present forms a striking contrast 

 to this description. Dr. Cornish, the Sanitary Commissioner, 

 remarks : " I have no doubt the native population is increasing, 

 and that the position of the Badaga has materially improved. 

 I notice especially the facts that they are now tiling their houses, 

 that their women and children earn money on the tea and coffee 

 estates, and that they buy rigi and grain from the low country, 

 and get a better market for their straw and cattle. They wear 

 jewels of gold and silver, saved from their earnings. Of course 

 1877 was a bad year for them, but, as a rule, according to my 

 observation of them, they have borne the famine pressure better 

 than the low-country people." 



