ON FOODS OF FREE AND JAIL POPULATIONS OF INDIA. 185 
somewhat with the day of the week, and on Sundays it is that of the non- 
labouring class. (Diet No. 4.) 
19. Dr. J. Exxior, Hooghly, states that the dietary of the free labourer is 
much Jarger than that of prisoners, and that the occupation of the former in 
the open air improves the appetite and digestion. The dietary in jails varies 
with labour, and somewhat with the day of the week, and on Sundays is that 
of the non-labouring prisoners. The prisoners are as healthy as the same 
elass when free. He gives two tables showing the dietary in various classes 
or castes of the people, with their occupations, and the kind, quantity, and 
price of foods. Cowherds and milk-sellers eat 24 lbs. of rice, 3 lb. of dal, 
and 1 lb. of milk, costing six pice, whilst numerous others supplant the milk 
by 2 ozs. of fish or the flesh of dead cattle or other meat, the daily cost vary- 
ing from four to six pice. The Hindoo labourer takes no animal food but 
fish, whilst the Mahomedan always eats meat. (Diet No. 11.) 
20. Basoo H. Mooxersex, Ooterparrah Dispensary, states that the food 
consists of cereals, as rice, grain, &c., eaten with milk, rancid butter, fish, 
mustard- and linseed-oil, vegetables and leaves ; roots and tubers, as potatoes, 
carrots, onions, turnips, radishes, dc. ; fruits, as plantains, water-melons, 
mangoes, tamarinds, &c.; peas, beans, and other varieties of pulse; molasses 
and sugar. The effect of the dietary is salutary. 
21. Dr. T. W. R. Amessury, Jessore, states that-at two meals daily some 
or all the following are eaten :—rice 24 ozs., dal 8 ozs., vegetables 8 ozs., fish’ 
12 o7s., oil 12 ozs. (?), salt 4 0z., spices 4 oz., milk 2 lbs., ghee 6 oz., and to 
these the Mahomedans add flesh. They regard quantity rather than quality, 
and consider the quantity of rice as the measure of the meal. Vegetable food 
is more adapted to the climate than animal food, and the latter of inferior 
kind is the cause of skin-disease among the Mahomedans. Ghee is less eaten 
than oil by the well-to-do people, and too much of it leads to hepatic disease. 
The Hindoos take only milk and fish among animal foods. All classes, ex- 
cept strict religionists, eat intoxicating drugs. Those who live without the 
latter and on vegetable food thrive well, but cannot resist disease. The jail 
dietary varies with race, labour, and day of the week, that of Sunday being 
that of the non-labouring class. (Diets Nos. 1 and 2.) 
22. Dr. R. F. Toompson, Maldah, states that wheat and rice are eaten in 
equal proportion by the descendants of the Hindostanee stock, but rice only 
by the pure Bengalee. Barley-meal or parched barley is much relished 
when seasoned with milk and sugar. Barley bread and wheaten bread and 
confectionary are used. Dal, fish (which is cheap and abundant), meat (not 
in general use), milk, and dhoe (used universally), ghee (a great favourite), 
mustard-oil, vegetables, particularly the potato, salt, mangoes, and river 
water constitute the dietary. The jail dietary varies with labour. Thus, 
with labour, the oldest rice 20 ozs., dal 4 ozs., vegetables 4 ozs. (fish 4 ozs., 
in lieu of vegetables, twice a week), salt, chillies, and oil 1 oz. The diet of 
the free labourer is, the cheapest rice 20 ozs., dal, fish, or vegetables 4 to 6 
ozs., or perhaps only dhoe. The jail dietary is as good as the free dietary, 
and the health of the convicts is good. ; 
23. W. J. Ex1is, Esq., Manubhoom, states that the working-classes are 
mostly low-caste Hindoos, as the Bowrees ; yet they will eat almost all kinds 
of flesh, as that of tigers, rats, serpents, and even the cow. The principal 
diet is rice and Indian corn, on which they live entirely for six months of 
the year. Vegetables of even inferior kinds, and fish, which is scarce, con- 
stitute the food. Those who work in the Mofussil live on gruel made with 
rice steeped in much water, with or without vegetables boiled with salt. 
