5G 



MANUAL OF THE XILAGIRI DISTRICT- 



CHAP. IV, 

 PART II. 



Physical and 



Medical 

 Climate, &c. 



Sanitary 

 condition of 

 compounds. 



Danger 

 attending 

 a visit to 

 the jungle 

 surrounding 

 the base of the 

 Nflagii-is. 



Diseases 

 which are 

 of rare 

 occurrence 

 on the Hills. 



part of the window, obviates this defect. There is a great 

 difference in houses variously situated with respect to their 

 water-supply for drinking purposes, for whilst some are 

 bountifully supplied with streams from the Doddabetta range, or 

 from local springs of good quality, othi?rs, and more particularly 

 those situated to the western side of Ootacamand, have during 

 the dry season to procure water sufficiently pure for drinking 

 purposes from a distance. It may be remarked that in the case 

 of children, who it is desirable should enjoy as much fresh air as 

 possible, a few clumps of shady trees near the dwelling will 

 prove an advantage, as it will enable them to enjoy the open air 

 when otherwise, from the heat of the sun, they would be confined 

 to the house. Some of the houses at Ootacamand have open 

 verandahs similar to those on the plains. These are in themselves 

 cold and draughty, and by sheltering the walls from the sun 

 make them at some seasons damper than they would otherwise be. 

 Children are liable to be laid up from colds, or accidental 

 exposure to the sun, from being allowed to play in such unsuitable 

 places. 



All residents on the hills should look carefully after the state 

 of their compounds, for, if neglected, noxious matters accumulate 

 which, if not periodically removed, become a source of disease. 

 A small sum paid to the Municipality will ensure the removal 

 of all offensive matter within the limits of the compound weekly 

 or oftener if required. 



The danger of visiting the belts of jungle which surround and 

 clothe the base of the Nilagiris to a height of from 2,000 to 3,500 

 feet, was exemplified in the early months of the year 1876. A 

 party of 35 Constables proceeded to arrest certain criminals who 

 had taken refuge there. On their return, after remaining for about 

 two months in this unhealthy locality, all without exception 

 suffered from malarious fever, so much so that two died shortly 

 after their return to Ootacamand, seventeen had to proceed on sick 

 leave, and of the remainder several, after a lapse of several 

 months, occasionally complain of the return of the fever and 

 other attendant ills. This account speaks for itself, and should 

 deter sportsmen and others from running a similar risk. 



Although some of the above remarks hardly apply to visitors 

 in general, yet to the invalid, for whom iu particular they are 

 framed, they will doubtless prove of advantage, for he of all 

 others should be placed under conditions most favorable to 

 health. After a residence of some months the visitor becomes 

 acclimatized, and can then venture to do many things which 

 could not be attempted with impunity by one not so acclimatized. 



There are no diseases peculiar to the Hills. Diarrhoea and 

 dysentery, said to be endemic in some of the Himalayan sanitaria, 

 are not met with in this form ou these hills. Variola is compara- 



