5. The Government to enter upon a contract for a seven years' supply, or to reimburse the Company for their outlay on the 4-inch main.

An analysis of six samples of water from several springs in the island of Barbados, by Professor Spencer, is appended, including Hatchett's River (the Company's source) and Beckles' Spring, the source from which the garrison has been occasionally supplied in times of scarcity within St. Ann's, before referred to.

Upon the results in this Table the analyst observes that, though some of the samples are harder than others, the waters are all excellent, and adapted for every dietetic purpose, also free from organic matter, the traces of which in only three of them being very slight indeed. It is further remarked that even the hardest samples soften considerably after boiling for a few minutes, as compared with the chalk waters of Great Britain, and also that they exhibit the peculiarity of an almost entire absence of sulphuric acid, which circumstance renders them still more valuable for domestic use.

Of the water obtained from the "windmill" well attached to the brick barrack (that occupied by the regiment of the line) the following analysis is reported to Dr. Jameson by Mr. Harrop, dispenser :

:

A total of 33 grains in a gallon, in contrast with 18.72 in the sample from the new Company's source.

The terms of contract were settled with the Bridgetown Company in the course of ensuing months, and all arrangements of pipeage, &c., concluded. The new water-supply was laid on to the barracks and hospital on 30th October,

1862.

At the Island of St. Lucia no sanitary alterations of any importance came into effect this year. For the purpose of flushing latrines, urinals, &c., the erection of an iron tank, large enough to contain a sufficient quantity of In degrees of Clarke's scale.

*In an imperial gallon.

ARMY MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.

water, and to be placed on the summit of the Morne, was suggested by the medical officer in charge, and concurred in by the officer commanding, with a view to the proposal being included in the next estimates. The want of occupation for the married families of the, now-a-days, small detachment at this station, is noted, and a suggestion thrown out that there is sufficient space on the Government property to erect a row of cottages as special quarters for them, apart from the general barrack.

Trinidad.-In the spring instructions were received from the Secretary of State for War, conveying his decision that a small trial-hut for twenty men should be erected at Trinidad. The site selected was on the lowland district (the Savannah, Queen's Park, near the chief town Port of Spain), and at no considerable distance from the present St. James's Barracks. Difficulties had beset so far the question of a supra-marine elevation for white troops in the island, that this, the great sanitary desideratum, lapsed after much search and discussion. Finally objection was taken by the Colonial Government, it is understood, to the erection of the trial-hut in the Queen's Park, and, under doubt as to continuance, it was alleged, of the occupation of the island by white troops, the intended trial measure did not proceed this year.

At the St. James's Barracks, those of the European troops, an additional supply from the water-source of Maraval was still desired. Improved cooking ineans had been furnished. white troops on a mountain site been realized, the St. James's Barracks, it was Had the original intention of cantoning the expected, were to be made over to the Black Troops, whose present barrack, in the town of Port of Spain, would then have been restored to the colony. The intention, however, having fallen into abeyance, the latter buildings, old and defective, were submitted to several necessary and useful alterations and improvements at the suggestion of Surgeon-Major Elliot, C.B. quarters, occupied by the married men, were pulled down and new ones obtained for them in the vicinity (former police-barracks). Certain obscured The old drains were discovered, duly repaired, and rendered effective. An old well, which had long served as a receptacle for rubbish, was filled up with lime and bricked over; and the parade-ground was improved by levelling.

BRITISH GUIANA.

Demerara.-On the 26th of May, yellow fever appeared at George Town among the lower order of the population, and cases were admitted to the civil hospital from the shipping in harbour. In precaution for the safety

of the white troops, the detachment (1st Batt. 21st Foot) was removed from Eve Leary Barracks to Belfield, a distance of about fifteen miles by railway, and there placed under canvas. The disease continuing in varying degree of prevalence at George Town, the troops were detained in camp until the end of the year.

The site of Belfield is described to be on the sea-coast in an easterly direction. It had been decided upon in the previous year as the most desirable one to meet a contingency of the kind. In the camp arrangements a tent was allowed for every four men, the diameter of each tent being about 15 feet. An urinal was built over a trench, and latrines, of wooden construction, were placed over a pit dug in the ground, and the frames were removable, as required, to fresh sites. An ablution-house, also of wooden frame, was erected over a large trench, and provided with wooden basins, supplied from a tank. The men had further an advantage in facility of bathing in a place adjoining the camp, where one of the large trenches communicated with the sea. The drainage, sewerage, and general sanitary condition of the camp were soon improved after taking occupation, and before a second month had passed were pronounced to be very good. The drainage was effected by trenches of various sizes intersecting each other, and thus conveying the surface water into the sea through the "Koker" at low tide.

A small wooden building at the margin of the encampment was put to the use of a kitchen, and furnished with Flanders kettles; the arrangement proving a commodious one.

The building selected for the hospital was one of wood, and of two storeys, facing the north, raised two feet from the ground by blocks of wood resting on

stone. The ventilation of the building was very satisfactory, and the cubic contents of the apartments admitted of an allotted ward-space averaging about 720 cubic feet per bed. A large marquee was fitted up as a kitchen. The latrine was placed conveniently at the back of the building, and a tent was pitched in the neighbourhood to serve as a dead-house.

The water-supply for the camp was collected from the roof of the hospital and conveyed into a tank capable of containing 6,000 gallons, the fatigueparties drawing the requisite quantities morning and evening. The quality was good, but the quantity, at first abundant, ultimately fell short with the drier season, and had to be supplemented by barrel-loads sent daily by railway from George Town.

Within sixteen days of the date of arrival of the troops in camp, there were in all seven mild cases of yellow fever reported among them, but not a single one presented itself after that period—a circumstance which, with the fact of the detachment remaining subsequently free from all serious disease at the camp, and under the very rea sonable inference that the above seven cases were germinated before the menleft George Town, the Principal Medical Officer adduces in proof of the early and distant encamping of the white troops being a successful sanitary measure.

Could the removal of the European detachment to Barbados have been at once practicable, the more certain sanitary course would have been fulfilled. This more thorough measure was, however, recommended by Dr. Ross Jameson to the military authorities, as indispensable in the event of yellow fever generalizing itself beyond the boundary of George Town, or in any way showing an approach to Belfield.

THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA STATIONS.

Sierra Leone.-The force on this part of the coast averaged about 19 Europeans (of whom 16 were the Regimental and Staff Commissioned Officers), and 368 black troops.

In regard to the circumstances of the climate this year, the only one worthy of remark was the almost total absence of "tornadoes after the rains," of which there appears to have been a diminished fall.

The usual amount of zymotic disease is reported to have taken place, as in all ordinary years.

Of the barrack accommodation Mr. Morphew, Staff Surgeon, represents the position to be good in regard to elevation, aspect, and neighbourhood; in this referring more particularly to Tower Hill, Freetown.

Of the averages of occupation, about 16 men to a room obtained an annual mean of 854 cubic feet each. Much complaint had been made of the defective and leaky state of the roofs of the officers' quarters, but remedy of all this must have been anticipated.

The sanitary adjuncts of good ablution means and of facilities for varied cooking were still a great want at the station. In regard to other hygienic arrangements the Staff Surgeon conceived there was no local cause of preventible disease in the immediate vicinity of Tower Hill Barracks.

The duties of the troops appear to have in no respect prejudiced their health; and, although some of them were engaged in active field operations for a time, no unfavourable results to their general condition were found to be a consequence.

In the way of exercises and recreation for the troops none appear to have been considered; the climate does not dispose, and, it may be inferred, the disposition of the native soldier does not incline, to pursuit in this direction.

Referring to the diseases of black troops, Mr. Morphew alludes to the susceptibility of the black soldier to chest disease, and to which he is very liable on exposure, and more particularly during the "Harmattan" season of the coast -such disease tending greatly to mortality. The coincidence is also very remarkable in the service of these troops in the West Indies.

Of the principal hospital accommodation-that at Freetown-the report

gives a good account; an average number of men-13-obtaining a mean rate of about 3,000 cubic feet of space each in the wards.

The wants of a bath-room and ablution-house were the main defects left to be included in the estimates for the following year.

Of the Gold Coast stations a less favourable annual report is presented by Staff Surgeon O'Callaghan, the Principal Medical Officer. He states the climate to have been, generally speaking, very adverse to health this year, both among the civil and military populations, remittent fever of a severe character having been very prevalent. Comparatively little rain appears to have fallen, and the summer and autumn proved very unhealthy, scarce a single European escaping an attack of fever.'

66

The average strength of the Gold Coast Corps was 305 black troops and 19 Europeans, 17 of whom comprise the regimental and staff officers. The troops were in majority stationed at Cape Coast Castle and Accra, small detachments being quartered at Anamboe and Dix Cove.

Adverting to the several positions occupied by the barracks, the StaffSurgeon states them to be invariably unfavourable to health, inasmuch as they are situated on ground but a few feet above high water mark, the heat being excessive, and the air more impure than on the surrounding hills. During the rainy season the lower levels are enveloped in mist, whilst the hills are clear of it and the occupants of the barracks are subjected to the influences of the products of decomposing organic matters in contact with sea-waterthe fruitful source of much disease here Mr. O'Callaghan thinks, and he conceives the sites to have been injudiciously chosen; further observing, that the ventilation, in many of the barrack-rooms, is very imperfect, in consequence of their position and structural arrangements-of the basement rooms more especially, some of these being below the level of the sea-batteries, and their windows being small. During the last six months of the year, however, several important improvements are reported to have been made, contributing to the health and comfort of the men; and the official inspection-visit of Captain Noble, R.E., at the close of the preceding year, was expected to be productive of many other sanitary as well as general improvements in the condition of the forts; but none of these, however, had yet been undertaken.

The want of ablution and bath accommodation specially in all the barracks was, perhaps, less a necessity, as the sea flows up to the walls of the forts, and the facilities are ample for bathing, to which the troops freely resort.

These troops (the Gold Coast Artillery) are left to diet themselves; and the Medical Officer regrets their not being rationed by the Government, their own purchases being almost entirely of fish, fruit, and vegetables-a regimen which he finds to be inadequate for the fatigues and duties the men have to undergo. He advises a Government ration of meat for them twice a-week.

The troops are entirely dependent for water, for drinking and culinary purposes, on that collected from the roofs of the buildings into tanks, and, as the rainfall of this year was very small, the allowances had to be limited.

In regard to the dress (the Zouave pattern), favourable mention is made of the "lighter material" lately introduced for the make of the trousers, which article of the attire, however, is experienced, on the African service, to be too full and baggy, and therefore liable to be torn in "bush" marching.

In regard to the main hospital accommodation at Cape Coast Castle and Accra, the mean of cubic space for the sick amounted to 1,400 feet to a patient, and, in most respects, the conditions were very satisfactory. At the former station, a large, commodious house had been rented conjointly by the Military and Colonial Departments, in the upper story of which was arranged the Military portion. At Christianborg Castle (Accra) the chapel, not being used specially, had recently been converted into a hospital for the Military, and as far as space, light, and ventilation were concerned, it was pronounced to be very perfect for its object. The accessories of latrines, ablution accommodation, cooking, &c., had here to be more or less of extemporized arrangement. The water-supply to these hospitals was of roof-collection and from the barrack tanks, filtered before drinking use.

Adverting to the condition of the European officers serving on the Coast and to the forts in which they are quartered being so low (on the very margin of the sea) and damp, the Principal Medical Officer puts the question-" is it to be wondered at that they are so sickly and so frequently invalided to either

Madeira or England ?" and it is again suggested that the great sickness and mortality among them might, in a very great degree, be diminished by erecting, on any part of the surrounding hills, a sanatorium for their benefit.

Staff-Surgeon O'Callaghan, in reporting on the state of vaccination on the Gold Coast, makes the following observations:

"Until the year 1861, I believe, a signal failure attended the endeavours. In the early part of this year, however, a few Dutch soldiers at the neighbouring fortress of Elmina having been successfully vaccinated, some of the men of the Gold Coast Artillery were vaccinated from them; and by this means the virus was successfully communicated to 138 of our men. Amongst the civil population of the Accra District, from 20th November, 1860, to 5th September, 1861, I gratuitously vaccinated 1,824 individuals, and of these the operation failed in only 17 instances; all the others presented full and perfect vesicles." Great care must have been devoted to this self-imposed and humane duty.

The Gambia.-The sanitary report of this station for 1861 is void of any range of special details as to hygienic conditions of improvements or otherwise; and, with reference to alleged causes of sickness and mortality, the Medical Officer in charge, Staff-Surgeon Mr. Curtiss Martin, sums up solely as follows:

"The cause of the greater part of the sickness and mortality* among the black troops arose from insufficient clothing and from exposure to wet during the rainy season. These circumstances, with their recent arrival from the West Indies, and the hardships suffered by the men subsequent to their wreck on the troop-ship which conveyed them, will doubtless explain the numbers."

CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Reviewing the seasons of this year, Mr. Taylor, C.B., Inspector-General of Hospitals, has remarked that each proved a healthy one; and, in showing that the ratio of sickness and mortality had been under the average of any former series of years, attributes the circumstance not a little to the ameliorations of the sanitary conditions of military service introduced of recent years. As to local improvements in course of the year under review, several minor alterations were made in guard-rooms and cells; but, in regard to the more general accommodation of the troops throughout the Command, little or no change is said to have taken place.

It is represented that about 3,062 of the whole force (the average total strength being 4,396 of white troops and 166 of black) were lodged in stone and brick buildings, but only a small proportion of these having wooden floors, in many (the outposts) the floor being simply earthen.

Ventilation is said, in most rooms, to be specially provided for, and, in the majority, to be greatly augmented by imperfections in the building.

From Mr. Taylor's further description, huts of wattle and daub, with earth floors, and thinly-thatched roofs, accommodated 789 men, whilst the remainder of the force to be accounted for (about 670) were constantly under canvas during the year; and it is reported that only by occupying a number of tents, at various stations, can a moderate cubic space in buildings be attained.

Upon the state of latrines, &c., ablution and bath-rooms, Mr. Taylor's Report states, with reference to the former, that the tub system still prevailed at all stations, including even Cape Town, notwithstanding such urgent representations of a necessity for improvement had been made to both military and civil authorities, through whom were entered repeated protests by the InspectorGeneral against the superficial drainage and sewerage of Cape Town, as being dangerous to the health of the troops, inasmuch that a line of its conduit passed actually into the ditch of the Castle Barracks. A work of a total remodelling of the drainage was afterwards decided on by the municipality, to embody a renovation of the whole upon scientific sanitary principles.

With respect to means of ablution, adjacent rivers, at most stations, supply the place of resource; and at none of the leading stations are the appliances yet furnished of bath and ablution accommodation at all adequate to the views

*Twenty deaths in all in an average strength of 430.