of the Troops at Kwnaul. 55 



by tabular statements, taken from the hospital registers of several 

 corps, more particularly of those of the 3rd, 57th, and 58th Regiments, 

 that the extent of sickness and number of casualties, during the first 

 year of their stay at Barrackpore, was not greater than the ordinary 

 amount of sickness and deaths in the Upper Provinces, nor was it 

 greatly increased in the second year, but that the third of their resi- 

 dence was the sickly and fatal year, — establishing the fact, that the 

 native troops cantoned at Barrackpore, in lieu of becoming acclimated 

 by length of residence, became more susceptible to the deteriorating 

 effects of a Bengal climate. Having established this position, the re- 

 medial measure was obvious, — the curtailment of their period of 

 service at Barrackpore, and the substitution of a biennial in lieu of a 

 triennial relief of the troops stationed in this unhealthy cantonment. 

 That measure was sanctioned and approved of by Government, on the 

 recommendation of a Committee especially appointed to examine into 

 the accuracy of the grounds of my recommendation. 



The Committee, on the additional evidence it had the power to call 

 for and obtain, was satisfied of the strength of the position I had 

 taken up, regarding the comparative healthiness of the two first, and 

 the unhealthiness of the third years' stay at Barrackpore, and seconded 

 the recommendation for a biennial relief of the native regiments 

 stationed at Barrackpore. The result of some years' experience has 

 confirmed the expediency of the alteration, in the improved state of 

 health, and diminution in the number of casualties among the native 

 soldiery cantoned at Barrackpore. While these results are highly 

 satisfactory, as confirmatory of the truth or reality of the imputed 

 causes, which deteriorated the health of the Troops at this station, 

 they are encouraging, as holding out inducements to undertake 

 similar inquiries into the circumstances, which affect the state of public 

 health in other stations and localities. 



In the present paper, I purpose to enter upon the subject of the 

 sickness and mortality, which have been prevalent for some years 

 at Kurnaul. I am aware, that the attention of Government has been 

 already directed to this subject, from the great sickness and mortality 

 which took place in some of H. M. Regiments in the years 1841-42, 

 and that a Medical and two Engineer officers have been associated, to 

 investigate the circumstances which have had so fatal an influence 

 on the health of the troops stationed at Kurnaul ; and, but for the 



