of the Troops at Kurnaul. 69 



obvious causes of diseases on every side and around it, with such 

 insufficient drainage : but much may be done to diminish the sources 

 of paludal exhalations. 



It has been proposed at a cost of 50,000 lis., to raise the right 

 bank of the canal, the water from which occasionally rises above it and 

 floods the ground and fields to the east and south-east of cantonments ; 

 this might, provided irrigation was prevented, diminish one cause of 

 marsh miasma, and be operative in rendering this portion of canton- 

 ments more healthy. 



Among the most apparent causes of sickness, is irrigation within 

 the immediate vicinity of the residences of the officers and barracks 

 of the troops, this is remediable ; all irrigation should at once be put a 

 stop to within a mile of cantonments, and a general rule should be 

 enforced, not only in reference to this, but every other station occupied 

 by the Military ; and the suicidal system abandoned, which obtains a 

 revenue, at the sacrifice of the health and lives of the soldiery by 

 whom the fields were won and are retained. 



There have been few greater improvements introduced of late in 

 the culture of the lands, than the attention which has been shewn to 

 drainage ; happily, it is not inconsistent with health, but the reverse, 

 the more effectual the drainage effected, the more healthy have locali- 

 ties become in every portion of the globe ; and it is beyond question, 

 that whole districts, scarcely now habitable, would become populous, 

 were they subjected to an efficient drainage. Kurnaul has, but an 

 imperfect drainage. The capabilities of an effectual drainage is 

 asserted on the knowledge of officers long resident at the station, and 

 familiar with its details and localities. 



It is perhaps incorrect to describe the plain on which the canton- 

 ments are built as a dead level, and decidedly incorrect to state, that 

 it is lower than the surrounding country. The plain of Kurnaul has 

 a gentle declivity from north to south, which has been taken advan- 

 tage of in the endeavours hitherto ineffectually made to drain the 

 parade, by two extensive water-courses, or ditches, cut the whole length 

 of the parade, the one to the north, the other to the south of the 

 parade ground and in front of the Native Infantry lines ; the northern 

 channel, receives the water flowing from the north and prevents it 

 inundating the exercise ground, while the large water-course or drain 

 to the south, and in front of the lines, carries off the rain which flows 



