remedied in its being a rooted evil connected with the old cesspit system still in existence.

The Medical Officer of the Depôt Battalion stationed here, Surgeon-Major Dr. Johnstone, speaks highly of an excellent Soldiers' Institute and LeisureAmusement-Room in the neighbouring town (Newport), established by his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort, and which is valued and enjoyed very universally by the soldiers. It is supported by donations and subscriptions from the officers, by friendly contributions, and by a monthly subscription of threepence from each soldier who becomes a member of the institute.

SOUTH-EASTERN DISTRICT OF ENGLAND.

This District is under the medical and sanitary superintendence of the Deputy Inspector-General at the Camp of Shorncliffe. After the many advantageous works and services carried out by the Barrack and Hospital Improvement Commission, during the three preceding years, there was comparatively little undertaken further in this year under review, although some important measures of various improvements were projected, but which necessarily, from financial reasons, had to stand over.

At Canterbury, both in the Cavalry and Infantry barracks, as also for the Artillery, baths were still wanting, and the old cesspit system of latrines had to be endured, under the prospect, however, of a new source of water supply from a high level, which would not only flush and force the sluggish drainage of the low site the barracks occupy, but, moreover, was amply to provide thorough ablutionary means for the troops, and to establish water latrines.

The average of barrack accommodation afforded to the mean strength of the troops this year was rather within the old boundary of limitation-not more than 416 cubic feet per man for the Dragoons, and about 460 for the Infantry.

In the garrison hospital the accommodation was quite limited to about the old regulation standard for each patient; and the establishment remained in expectation of enlargement by the addition of a new wing (commenced 1862), and accessories of a laundry, bath and ablution-room, purveyor's stores, and other new out-buildings.

At Walmer Barracks extensive drainage improvements (so greatly required) were commenced, and an additional water supply, to effect its thorough discharge, was arranged. The strength of the Depôt Battalion quartered here appears, in its mean, to have given an average of not more than 434 cubic feet monthly per man in the barrack-rooms. The hospital accommodation, however, was amply at disposal, the sick list never being numerous, or approaching a necessity to over-crowd.

From Dover the Sanitary Reports of this year afford little material for comment, beyond what was submitted in the volume for the preceding year, when the main points of barrack improvement had been effected through the recommendations of the Commission. Several considerable improvements, nevertheless, were made variously as to the barracks, upon necessities being shown. Extended bath and ablution accommodation was recommended or planned at points where deficient: in the Castle Barracks the latrines and urinals were now all regularly flushed, a command of water force being obtained through the steam power of raising the supply to the high level of the "keep," from which its consequent pressure had full effect in gravitating the drainage to its point of ultimate discharge.

The Regimental Returns show the cubic accommodation, as estimated, in mean monthly rates of 562 and 450 feet per man in the Western Heights and Citadel Barracks,* and but only about 400 in the Castle; the results, however, being very similarly those of no prejudice to health.

With reference to the hospital accommodation, the Senior Medical Officer at the Castle, Surgeon Voss, R.A., reports that there occurred no instance of

* According to the strength of two successive regiments occupying them.

unavoidable over-crowding this year in his hospital, as there did last not from epidemic sickness then, but from the necessities of an increased number of troops for a time. 750 cubic feet to a patient formed the mean monthly allotment in the Castle Hospital.

CHATHAM GARRISON AND DISTRICT.

The Sanitary Reports of the garrison of Chatham almost repeat the conditions of the preceding annual period, as to the very limited barrack accommodation, in cubic space, per man in mean for the year, the rotation and nature of the duties, the night guards, and daily military instructions and parades in their effect upon the youthful soldier and the enervated one returned from Indian service.

In two of the Depot Battalions the estimated cubic space per man in the rooms averaged for the annual period not more than 386 and 374 feet-so great, apparently, the pressure for accommodation usual at this large general depôt of the Indian regiments.

The leading sanitary improvements, applied to the home barracks generally, having been here also carried out in course of the preceding three years, works of the kind appear as having been few, comparatively, during the annual period under retrospect; and no very prominent ones are pronounced in the several Reports received.

In more special comment, Dr. Ferris, Surgeon-Major in charge of Headquarters of the corps of Royal Engineers, attributes many admissions to hospital among these men to the circumstance of their being employed on duty in damp places, on field works, &c., and to being frequently amidst water on the instruction duties of pontooning and other relative military works; yet the rate of mortality in the corps does not show in any comparative excess, the number of deaths in hospital this year being 9 only in an average strength of

997 men.

Surgeon-Major Dr. Maclean, of the 1st Depôt Battalion, in his Report alludes more particularly to the section under the head of drill, representing this, when practised to any length before their breakfast, as too much for growing lads; the old soldiers, he was further of opinion, should be spared from carrying their knapsacks on guards, &c. Both views were recommended, he states, by him to the authorities, and came to be adopted with the most favourable results.

The average of nights in bed to the battalions appears to have been from four to six to each duty soldier, and must be looked on as not very taxing duty of the kind customary to troops, young or old.

The Reports express no dissatisfaction with the qualities of the ration supplies furnished to the men. Conveniences of varied cooking were not wanting; and the general hygiene of the garrison was punctiliously attended to by the medical officers in charge of troops, under the additional guarantee of the Inspector-General of Hospitals at this station.

The condition of the garrison hospital seems to have been very satisfactory throughout the year; for, although the available allotment of cubic space per patient is shown to have been of an average very far short of the 1,200 feet of the new Regulations, no positive cases of retarded recovery or impeded convalescence are, in the Reports, placed to the account of limited cubic area within the hospital wards.

Sheerness. This was an outpost of the Royal Artillery from head-quarters at Woolwich, and was occupied by a division of the "Depôt Brigade”—916 in average strength, and to whom the barrack accommodation afforded was at the mean monthly rate of 560 cubic feet a man.

Renewed objections were, as of course, taken to the very low level of the barrack site, in its hygienic respect, at some points it being actually about two feet below high water; and reference is made by the Medical Officer, Surgeon Ward, R.A., to the so-termed "old barracks" being badly ventilated: these formed the accommodation for the married soldiers almost entirely. In the

contra-distinguished "new barracks" the improved system of artificial ventilation, in connection with the remodelled fire-grates, continued in operation; and the advantage of gas, as the means of lighting, was general.

Water supply to the garrison, adverted to last year as obtained by steam power from a well of much depth, and laid on for the use of the troops, continued of good quality, but was at all times more or less limited for general purposes, insomuch that it was contemplated to sink another similar well. The supplies to the troops appear to have met with approval; and the means of varied cooking were pronounced satisfactory.

The men enjoyed an average of seven nights in bed to one on guard; and the general range of their duties at this, a reputed malarious station, apparently cannot be said to have been prejudicial to their health this year, when only fifteen admissions to hospital took place from ague; and it is represented that in the composition of the division were several old Indian soldiers, who probably had suffered from malarious fever in the East.

The chief sanitary nuisance was the imperfect system of the drains of the "old barracks :" they again proved offensive, were so represented, and had ventilators introduced at certain points, with satisfactory results. Another sanitary objection still holds in the latrines being mere cesspits, the water means being yet wanting to remodel them. The lock-up-room was represented as badly ventilated and under-warmed, being also often damp. Recommendations were made by Surgeon Ward to have its fixed bed boarding converted to a folding one, for the purpose of securing greater cleanliness beneath, to have ventilating bricks inserted in the walls, and a hot-air pipe to pass through the room.

The hospital establishment has been very favourably reported on as to its interior comfort and general convenience, leaving little to specify on this occasion, beyond a rectification of some points of drainage. 710 cubic feet of ward accommodation per patient are assigned to have been the mean monthly average for the course of the year.

Maidstone.-An average strength of 421 is reported to have formed the Cavalry Depôt at this station, to which is added the fortunate circumstance of only two deaths in the hospital.

No new circumstances of sanitary import, as to the present barracks, have taken place since last year's reference to their condition; and, as arrangements are understood to have been made for the construction of new barracks for a larger force, and for the hospital to be extended to meet the anticipated increased strength, more requires not to be stated, on the present occasion, than a reference to the point of the average of cubic accommodation which the men in barracks obtained in mean for the year: this was of nearly the old regulated rate, having been 441 feet per man; and Surgeon-Major Galbraith's Annual Sanitary Report indicates well of the prevalent good health of the troops, in representing that a monthly mean of 1,248 cubic feet was distributable in the hospital wards for the treatment of the sick.

The town of Maidstone having obtained its water supply this year from higher up the Medway, it is proposed that the troops should participate in the advantage, and that a main should be laid on to the barracks from this source, so as to do away with the use of the "hard and lime-imbued" water from the present barrack wells.

Surgeon-Major Galbraith makes allusion to an analysis, by Dr. Letheby, of the New Water Company's supply, and which pronounces it to contain over 15 per cent. of "impurities," 16 of which is organic matter: the water is, however, stated to be good for all domestic purposes.

WOOLWICH GARRISON, SHOEBURYNESS, AND WARLEY.

The chief sanitary works and improvements effected in the garrison of Woolwich, this year, may best be set forth in extract from the general sanitary Report of the troops in garrison, by Dr. MacGregor, the Deputy-InspectorGeneral of Hospitals:

"During the year considerable improvements have been introduced in the huts and barracks.

"The lock-up at the main guard has been completed, but the warming apparatus to be attached thereto was not granted up to the end of the year. It has since been sanctioned.

"In the Horse Brigade lines the guard-room (north face) was eased of its overcrowding, and a room on the opposite side of the road was added, which gives accommodation to the piquet at night.

"For the riding-school establishment new bath-rooms and cook-houses have been completed, and with the latest improvements.

"New latrines have been constructed on the south side of the 'East Square,' and fitted with Jennings's patent contrivances.

"The soldiers' reading rooms have been effectually ventilated.

"The military prison was improved by the introduction of fresh windows of a circular form in the walls. The cells are ventilated by valved gratings, and to a considerable extent have been made comfortable. The prison is warmed with heated air when the temperature is less than 53° Fahr., latterly 55° Fahr. has been the minimum.

"In barracks a good many of the new and improved grates have been introduced. They are now called Kennard's patent ventilating stove. There was some misunderstanding at first of the principle on which the ventilators erected were worked. The Commanding Royal Engineer has since supplied printed regulations for the guidance of the inmates.

"During the year considerable progress was made in supplying most of the barrack-rooms with a shelf supported from the ceiling for the storage of the clothing, and for other conveniences of the men.

"In the Military Train hut encampment a good deal has been done, and more is promised, to render the grounds and huts more healthy. The subsidiary stratum of moisture* has been drained away. Conveniences have been placed at the ends of most of the huts for night-tubs, with doors opening from the outside for the removal of their contents.

"The Auxiliary Hospital has been completed, and fitted for the occupation of 40 patients.

"A considerable number of improvements are already sanctioned for completion in 1862-3, viz. :—

"Extension of guard-rooms, bath-rooms, latrines, urinals, drainage of stables, improvements in the infant school, the Royal Artillery Institution, the horse infirmary, and in the cook-house of the hospital, where a bakery is to be introduced.

"For the soldiers' families a female hospital is in contemplation, and the "Herbert' Hospital has been commenced at Kidbrook.

"Unfortunately, some improvements strongly recommended are not included among the expectations. That of the canteen is of this nature. An effort will be made in the ensuing estimates to meet this want.

"In the lock-up two Gurney's stoves are to be erected.

"In the present garrison hospital an oven for fumigation of infected clothing has been applied for. During the year the garrison hospital was converted into a general one. A governor and captain of orderlies were appointed, and a superintendent and a staff of nurses.

"In the month of September last 80 rooms were completed for families of married soldiers, and occupied soon after a truly great boon in this garrison. "The Commandant has erected a wooden laundry with two boilers, for the benefit of the soldiers' wives-a third has lately been added.

"A well-ventilated store for keeping the butchers' meat, and other supplies for the troops, was commenced during the year, and pushed on rapidly for completion."

The foregoing statements from the General Report of the Principal Medical Officer pretty well exhaust the sum and substance of results as to the works of sanitary service effected during the year in the garrison.

The Brigade Reports add little to the account of the general one. Dr. Fogo,

A circumstance referred to in last year's Report.

SANITARY REPORT FOR 1861.

Surgeon of the Royal Horse Artillery, refers more particularly to the ventilating grates of the barrack-rooms, and represents that the winter season was not severe enough to try them duly. Mr. Gallwey, Surgeon-Major 4th Division, Depôt Brigade, characterizes its composition as a "fluctuating body, constantly coming to and departing from Woolwich, consisting principally of old soldiers and invalids, and as not being subject to augmentation by recruits." He more emphatically alludes to, and (considering the classes above stated as composing his charge) may very reasonably animadvert on the fact of the baths attached to their barracks rarely or never being used by the men in the course of the winter, the means of warm water to counteract icy chills, the want of adequate materials for drying the person, and other conveniences, forming valid excuses. But these excuses hold good generally in the home barracks, and the bath accommodation, wheresoever furnished, is in most instances in winter a void institution with the troops, there being no grant for a hot water supply to qualify the frigid temperatures, a question of expenditure being still deferred. Upon the point of cubic accommodation in the barracks this year, the Brigade Reports give a mean monthly range from so low as 348 cubic feet per man in the 10th Brigade to as high as 576 in the Royal Horse Artillery.

With regard to the hospital accommodation in the same respect, 800 cubic feet per patient in the Garrison Hospital may be assigned as having been the round number for the year.

In the hut encampment on the "Common," the battalions of the Military Train had a mean monthly rate of 300 to 350 cubic feet per man in the barrack huts; and the sick from 550 in the hospital huts, as specified in the report of one battalion, to 832 per patient in that of the other.

Shoeburyness.-Surgeon-Major Guy's (Royal Artillery) very comprehensive and satisfactory report on this station states the new barracks to be built on the best principles; they are arranged in "blocks," each block being again subdivided into two houses with distinct entrances. Each house has two rooms on the ground floor and two on the upper. The size of each room, two of whose walls communicate with the outer air, is such as, on the lower floor, with 12 occupants, to distribute 560 cubic feet to each, and on the upper to allow as much as 712 to every man of a similar complement. On the groundfloor of each house a cleansing room adjoins, and on the upper a bath and ablution room, with a night urinal for the whole house, is provided. For each "block" a commodious kitchen with a good cooking range exists, and two small non-commissioned officers' quarters at each end of the block complete the distinct building.

Dr. Guy reports the whole system of ventilation of the buildings as excellent. With regard to the barrack cells, means for insuring a more complete transverse current of air through their passage was adopted on his recommendation.

The occupation of the present hospital, for the year, numbered five patients in a ward, giving each the monthly mean of 980 cubic feet. Its ventilation was much improved by the introduction of Sherningham's ventilators on the outside wall of each ward for the admission of pure air, and by carrying a shaft to the roof on the opposite side for the exit of foul, this measure being effected also at Dr. Guy's suggestion.

For the strength in occupation, under the new arrangements for the gunnery practice at Shoeburyness, the hospital accommodation, as still existing, is insufficient for all contingencies; the garrison now, when full, amounts to some 700 men, and the present hospital contains only six wards for five men each, insofar being inadequate to meet a possible extra demand for the admission of accidents ever liable to be met with at the gunnery practice.

The duties of the men admitted of their having seven successive nights in bed. For the entire year the average strength has been calculated in the Sanitary Report at 356, with three deaths only, and two of which occurred out of hospital. For the above strength, 636 cubic feet were available, as a mean, in barrack rooms, and 443 in huts, wherein 104 men were quartered.

In the returns only seven cases of ague are represented to have been admitted to hospital in this formerly endemic locality, and the now comparative immunity from the disease is ascribed to the drainage of the neighbouring lands being carried out; in addition to which circumstance care was taken not to employ the men at practice after sunset or before sunrise.