1838.] 



Topographical Report on the Neilgherries. 



97 



there can be little doubt of its success, and thus furnishing good besr, 

 which would be an invaluable gift to the European soldier, who might 

 then be able to purchase a wholesome beverage to refresh himself, 

 without intoxication and disease. This matter alone is of such im- 

 portance, that it would be worth making an effort to prove the practica- 

 bility of the point, by obtaining from England a brewing machine, 

 and some hops. A brewing machine of a few gallons can be tried, 

 which would suffice for an experiment, and barley in abundance is to 

 be had on the hills. The barley which is grown is of a poor kind in 

 appearance, each grain seeming to consist of two very slender cylin- 

 drical bodies, in close contact, with their extremities pointed and 

 joined into one— not like the European species which merely is a seg- 

 ment of an elliptical body, with an indentation or small furrow on the 

 flat side. Whether the hill barley be as good for malting, I cannot 

 tell, as it would require a simultaneous trial of both, and that also 

 might be done with little cost. Machinery could be constructed to 

 boil in vacuo, and to cool also in vacuo, and the latter is, in point of 

 expense, the more important consideration, for by a comparatively 

 small sum expended on iron tubes of large calibre, the cooling pans, 

 the greatest cost of brew-houses, could in a great measure, if not al- 

 together, be saved. 



The only public hospital at Ootacamund is that near the barracks. 

 It was formerly used as a Lock hospital, but within the last three 

 years has been applied to its present use. It is a small building, 51 

 feet long by 12 wide, situated in a sheltered spot in a horse-shoe shap- 

 ed valley, at the base of the hill on which the jail stands, and is quite 

 protected from the winds in every direction, as in front it looks at 

 another hill, on which the dispensary is placed, and can accommodate 

 25 patients ; there are 10 beds which are put up as required, but, if 

 the place be crowded, the patients can lie on the floor, which is well 

 boarded and dry. 



The patients are such of the sepoys of the guard as may be sick at 

 any time, the palankeen bearers, and any other persons whatever who 

 need assistance, and the last are commonly coolies who are ill of fever 

 caught by delaying in the jungles on their way up ; or persons who 

 meet with accidents. This place, small though it be, is sufficient for 

 the present demand, and Is of great value, particularly for those who 

 have no house, or place where they could be attended ; separated as 

 they are from their relatives when they come up the hills. 



The dispensary is situated on a hill near the public office. In this, 

 and nearly all the other public buildings at Ootacamund, a grave error 



