CHOLERA IN THE BRITISH CAMP. 193 



form, appeared nearly at the same time in different parts" 

 of Bengal. But it was in Jessore, situated in the tract 

 called the Sunderbunds, filled with thick jungle and sur- 

 rounded by stagnant waters, that it assumed its most alarm- 

 ing aspect. At Calcutta, during the month of August, 

 many cases of common cholera had occurred ; but at the 

 begnining of September it appeared in that city under its 

 most malignant type ; though whether it was imported from 

 Jessore, or rose spontaneously under similar circumstances, 

 is a question not yet decided. It spared Europeans for a 

 few days, but began to attack them on the 5th, though 

 without committing the same dreadful ravages as in the 

 native town ; yet the register of one of the life ensurance 

 societies exhibited a proportion of deaths four times as 

 great as in the preceding years. The malady was diffused 

 almost simultaneously through the different cities of Bengal, 

 rapidly ascended the Ganges, and spread even to the west 

 of the Jumna ; sparing, however, the comparatively elevated 

 territories of Oude and Rohilcund. 



In the beginning of November, inconsequence, as is sup- 

 posed by some, of the arrival of a detachment from the 

 lower province, this disease in its most virulent form broke 

 out in the army under the immediate command of the Marquis- 

 of Hastings. Troops on a march are observed to be pe- 

 culiarly liable to its attack, which is imputed to the extreme- 

 heat of the tents, doubtless combined with the great expo- 

 sure to the atmosphere. The cholera appeared in this- 

 army as it was slowly marching through the low and un- 

 healthy district of Bundelcund, which labours under a 

 peculiar deficiency of good water. For about ten days .it 

 Converted the camp into a large hospital. All the public 

 establishments being engrossed by the care of the troops, 

 the numerous camp-followers could not be accommodated 

 except in the tents of their masters, who formed also their 

 only attendants. The route over which the army moved 

 was strewed with the dead and dying ; the bazaars were 

 deserted ; even those persons whose health was good suf- 

 fered under severe depression of spirits ; so that during the 

 above period the efficiency of this fine body of men was 

 completely destroyed. The usual bustle and hum of a 

 crowded camp was changed into an awful silence, only 

 broken by the groans of the dying and lamentations over 



Vol. II.— R 



