ON FOODS OF FREE.AND JAIL POPULATIONS OF INDIA, 187 
27. S. M. Surrcore, Esq., Rajshahye, states that 2 Ibs. of rice, 4 ozs. of 
dal, 4 ozs. to 6 ozs. of vegetables, 10 ozs. of fish, 14 oz. of oil, 14 oz. of mas- 
salahs, 2 ozs. of milk, 8 ozs. of dhoi, and 8 ozs. of julpaun constitute the daily 
dietary of the labouring classes. The dal and dhoi are, however, obtained 
only ten or twelve times a month, and the milk only occasionally. Julpaun 
consists of parched rice, peas, and grain, with salt, and is taken as the early 
morning meal. The class are, on the whole, pretty healthy; but they suffer 
from ague, enlarged spleen, dyspepsia, and bowel-diseases. The jail dietary 
now varies with labour and the day of the week, that of Sunday being of 
the non-labouring class. (Diets Nos. 9, 1, and 14.) 
28. Dr. E. J. Rozerts, Rajmahal, states that rice is the staple food, and 
the leguminous dals next. Vegetables are invariably eaten ; fish is plentiful ; 
and kids and pork are eaten by certain castes. Cakes are made from barley, 
oats, maize, or dals in a powdered state, and, with cold water, salt, and chilli, 
are eaten uncooked. Dry parched grain is eaten without further cooking. 
Daugahs eat flesh, including rats; and the Sonthals and Pahareas eat almost 
any kind of flesh, as that of buffaloes, bullocks, deer, pigs, rats, snakes, tigers, 
leopards, game, and birds of all kinds. The poorest eat 14 lb. of rice, and 6 
to 8 chits. of vegetables, with salt and condiments, or substitute wild 
herbs for vegetables. Few can afford dal or fish. This costs 9 pice to 1 anna ; 
but when 14 to 4 annas can be spent, dal and fish or flesh are added, and 
then the rice may be reduced to 10 chits. Some low-caste Hindoos eat pigs. 
The new jail dietary varies with labour and day of the week, the latter 
substituting 4 ozs. of vegetables for 4 ozs. of fish on certain days. (Diet 
No. 8, B. 
29. ak. Pootz, Esq., Rungpore, states the free daily dietary as follows :— 
coarse rice 20 ozs., dal 2 ozs., vegetables 8 ozs., mustard-oil, salt, and 
massalahs 4 oz. each. Old rice is dearer, and is preferred. Rice under six 
months old is unwholesome. The mustard-oil is the only fat used, and when 
used in large quantities causes irritation of the bowels. Fish and meat are 
taken once in ten or fifteen days, and are not cheap or abundant. Milk 
and duhee are used occasionally. Bread or attah is not used. Tobacco is 
smoked. Betel-nuts are chewed, and as an astringent promote digestion. 
The diet, when the food is good, keeps them in health. The former jail dietary 
was insufficient, and the present one varies with labour and day of the week. 
(Diet No. 11.) 
30. Dr. A.V. Bust, Raneegunge, states that the people work in the coal-mines 
or on the land. Animal food of all kinds is eaten largely by the mining and 
jungle castes, except by the Brahmins. Fish, especially small shrimps, is a 
favourite article of food. Ghee and duhee from buffalo-milk are eaten by 
the better classes, and mustard-oil by the poorer ; but some do not obtain any. 
Rice is the staple food, and dals are largely used. Maize is eaten, and attah is 
too expensive. Fruits, roots, leaves, fungi, and a common spirit are used, 
‘The prisoners are allowed three pice per day, and live as at home. They do 
not suffer in health. 
31. A.J. Meyer, Chyebarra, states that it is a hilly district, and the coolies, 
being mountaineers, differ in their dietary from the other classes. In their 
jungles they eat rice and vegetables, and the flesh of all animals, birds, and ants, 
eyenif dead, and drink much strong drink. The latter in certain forms fortifies 
the constitution against disease. One meal a day, with the spirits (hurreah), 
suffices, and keeps them in excellent health. It consists of 1 Ib. of rice, with 
dal or vegetables, seasoned with salt and chilli, but without fat, oil, onions, 
or garlic. Meat is rarely eaten. The other races eat two or three meals 
