64 On the Sickness and Mortality 



gation in the vicinity of cantonments, is permitted, if not encouraged, 

 by the civil authorities, though it has often been decried and con- 

 demned by the presiding medical authority, as destructive to the health 

 of the military ; but the interests of the revenue have been considered 

 paramount to the welfare of the troops, and irrigation is yet allowed. 

 It is well known, that a wealthy Zemindar purchases up every 

 biggah of ground in the immediate neighbourhood of cantonments, for 

 the purpose of rice cultivation. 



The next unhealthy part of the cantonment of Kurnaul, is to the 

 eastward of the parade ground, and is indebted for its insalubrity, to 

 the exhalation from the ground in front, and to the west of the 

 European Infantry barracks. Nothing has been done to render this 

 part of the cantonments more healthy, by cutting drains or water- 

 courses, though it is affirmed on high authority, that there is a consi- 

 derable fall from the centre of the exercise ground, to the right bank 

 of the canal, as much, it is said, as six or seven feet, within 1,000 

 yards ; and offering every encouragement and prospect of completely 

 draining this part of cantonments. It has been recommended to esta- 

 blish a large, broad, and superficial drain, very gently sloped off on 

 each side, gradually deepening it towards the canal ; it would rapidly 

 convey away the rain from the parade ground, and discharge it into 

 this reservoir. If the station of Kurnaul is to be the residence of 3, 

 or 4,000 European troops, it is the duty of Government, by every 

 means in its power, by an effectual system of drainage, to render 

 it salubrious, and do all that is possible to restore its former cha- 

 racter and reputation, as a sanatory station for its military occupants. 



I am decidedly of opinion, that the causes of the sickness and 

 mortality of Kurnaul, are to be referred to the soil and nature of the 

 cantonment ground, and the irregular falls of rain during the rainy 

 season. 



The soil is argillaceous, or retentive of moisture, so much so, that 

 the rain remains for weeks and days on the surface unabsorbed, after 

 a heavy fall of rain, which of itself is a sufficient cause of disease. 



The present Director General of the Medical Department of the 

 British Army, states it to be his opinion, that simple moisture is 

 noxious to the health of the soldiery, and adduces in proof, the 

 situation of the G 1 st Regiment in the Pharos [see his Medical Sketches 

 of the expedition to Egypt from India, p. 83.] 



