ON FOODS OF FREE AND JAIL POPULATIONS OF INDIA. 177 
preparation, and use of foods, with descriptions of the several classes and 
castes of the people and their habits with regard to dietary. Many give explicit 
answers to one of the questions which seem to have been proposed to the 
writers, viz. the daily diet of an adult labourer; but many, unfortunately, omit 
this return altogether ; whilst others mention the quantity of the several foods 
which would be eaten daily, when used, but do not select, out of the number re- 
ferred to, those articles which together constitute the daily dietary. Hence, 
whilst much physiological, botanical, ethnological, and social information has 
been given by the reporters when thus left to their own discretion, it is certain 
that an exact form of report upon this essential question of the daily dietary 
would have added greatly to the value of the inquiry. In abstracting the 
returns, I have almost limited myself to the two questions upon which infor- 
mation was especially desired—the food and daily dietaries of the free and 
imprisoned populations; but have added information respecting the inhabitants, 
and their selection and preparation of food, with the effect of this food on their 
health and strength. When the remarks were important, I have usually stated 
them almost in the words of the reporters. As there are great numbers of 
both vegetable and animal foods the names of which are unknown here, I have * 
seldom transcribed them ; and in reference to weight, I have given them in 
English ounces and pounds, reckoning 1 seer=2lbs., and 1 chittak=2 ozs., 
except in two or three localities where the weight was stated to differ from 
that standard. 
The reports in reference to jail dietaries have been obtained at an unfor- 
tunate period, since a new scheme of jail dietary was promulgated by Dr. 
Mouat in 1862, and time had not been given to ascertain its effect. Several 
schemes have been devised and ordered to be adopted within the last twelve 
years: viz., the old scale, 1857; the Medical Board scale; Mr, Lock’s scale, 
1854; Dr. Mouat’s scale, 1858 ; another seale, 1860; and Dr. Mouat’s new 
seale,in 1862. When the new scale had been adopted at any jail, I have not 
considered it necessary to quote the older ones, or to refer to their effect upon 
the prisoners. The tables which are issned with the different reports have a 
formidable appearance to the reader ; but, on careful scrutiny, I find that they 
may be referred to about twenty-five types, and I have arranged them in an 
Appendix, and referred to them by number at the end of each report. 
Beneat.—Dacoa Crrcrs, 
1. Dr. H. M. Davrss, of Noakhally, states that rice is the principal food 
in use, and that it is eaten with dal (leguminous seeds), chillies, garlic, onions, 
and other vegetables, as cucumbers, melons, plantains, beans, and pulse, with 
fish and milk and flesh occasionally. All are usually boiled together and 
made into curry. The food is of low nutritive quality, and the inhabitants 
are not robust. He gives the dietary at Noakhally Jail. (Diet No. 1 in the 
_ Appendix.) 
- 2. Dr. R. C. Cuanpra, of the district of Tipperah, states that rice is the 
staff of life, and is eaten twice or thrice a day, in a total quantity of 1 to 1} 
Seer=32 ozs. to 40.028. The two ordinary meals are taken at 10 or 11 a.m. 
and after sunset, whilst the third, when eaten, is taken early in the morning, 
before going to work. Vegetables are made into curry and eaten once a day. 
Fish, fresh or salted, is eaten twice or thrice a week. Dal is rarely eaten 
—only five to seven times a month. Meat (fowl, beef, and goat) is rarely 
eaten by Hindoos, and only eight or ten times a month by Mahomedans. 
The condiments are mustard-oil, salt, ginger, turmeric, and chilli; and among 
a anda onions and garlic, vegetable acids, and mangoes. Indian 
LOVDU, N 
