1853.] Report on the Geological Structure of the Salt Bang e\ 247 



The general appearance of the miners varies greatly. At the end 

 of the hot season they appear very sickly and sallow, but towards 

 the close of the cold weather they do not appear to us to have a 

 more unhealthy aspect than the inhabitants of towns in the Pun- 

 jaub generally have. 



They however suffer a good deal from sickness ; but this is pro- 

 bably more owing to the position in which their villages are placed, 

 and to their filthy habits than to their trade. Certain diseases such 

 as ophthalmia and pulmonary complaints are very prevalent among 

 them, and doubtless result from the injurious effect of the finely 

 powdered salt acting as an irritant on the mucous membranes. 

 Eever is very prevalent among the miners at Keurah, where, perhaps 

 from the confined position of their village, they look far more sickly 

 than at most of the other mines. 



Groitre is a frequent complaint, but particularly so at Kalibagh, 

 where every one seems more or less affected by the disease. This 

 the natives ascribe to the Indus water which is generally of a milky 

 colour from fine calcareous mud mechanically suspended in it, and 

 which the addition of a little alum speedily removes. 



Dracunculus or guinea-worm is also very prevalent, but is by no 

 means peculiar to the Salt Range, being a common complaint all 

 through the Pimjaub among the natives, whenever they are depend- 

 ent on tanks for their supply of water. 



As a general rule it may be observed, that where the supply of 

 water to a village is obtained from a kutcha (mud) tank, out of 

 which men and cattle drink indiscriminately, a circumstance, from 

 necessity, by no means uncommon, there guinea-worm will prevail, 

 while in villages supplied by running streams, the disease will be 

 unknown. 



During the Seikh rule, salt was mined at almost every spot where 

 it cropped out, but to prevent smuggling most of the mines have 

 been shut up since the annexation of the Punjaub, salt being now 

 only extracted at Keurah, Mukrach, Surdee, Chooa, Vurcha and 

 Kalibagh. At all these places there are regular salt depots, and there 

 only can merchants procure a supply at the rate of Es. 2 per maund 

 (£0 4s. Qd. for 80 lbs.) For whatever quantity they may purchase 

 they receive a permit, and should an ounce more than this indicates, 



2 l 2 



