desiderata, the circumstance of being over two hundred miles nearer Suez than its great rival seaport, Bombay is, in time must tell to the advantage of Kurrachee; not to mention the facilities afforded for the transmission of troops and supplies, by means of the Indus, to the Punjaub and northern provinces of Hindostan, to which it is now the acknowledged route; and on the completion of the line of railway to Kotree these advantages will be materially enhanced. The route down the Indus, for the passage of invalids homewards, has also completely superseded the long and tedious one via Calcutta, and many a valuable soldier, at the recommendation of Medical Boards, ordered home for change of climate, has been preserved to the service by the greater expedition and comfort of the Indus-route, compared with the other most harassing and detrimental one to invalids, which involved a long march through the Bengal Presidency.

The soil in the vicinity of Kurrachee is chiefly calcareous sand or grit, and the country all round the station, except to the west of the cantonment, where the Government Gardens are situated, is exceedingly desolate and barren. In the vicinity of the cantonments are immense sandstone quarries, from whence the stone for building the station has been obtained. These quarries prove of vast utility, combined with saving of expense, in affording material for the construction of the railway workshops and buildings now in progress at this terminus; while it also affords the means of ballasting the line of itself a matter of much importance. The rocks of Manora are composed of fossilized coral, resting on sandstone. West of Kurrachee, about nine miles, the hills are of lime; in the vicinity are several hot springs, originating in limestone, the water of which is collected in a swampy tank, full of crocodiles, which are under the guardianship of some Mahommedan Faqueers. The hot springs at. Mugger Peer, just described, have afforded suggestions for the establishment of a sanatarium for the treatment of rheumatic, syphilitic, and other chronic affections; but if the idea is conceived on the hypothesis that the water issuing from the springs is impregnated with sulphur, or other mineral compounds supposed to have a sanative influence, it is untenable, the water being very pure, destitute of smell, and tasteless, deriving its heat, which is its chief recommendation, from the great depth it springs from. The natives, however, regard Mugger Peer as a holy place, and flock to it in great numbers, on account of the supposed curative virtues of the waters.

The water supplied by the wells in that portion of the cantonment occupied by the European troops is, in general, brackish and full of marine impregnations, and quite unfit for domestic use. The troops are, in consequence, supplied from wells at the north-western end of the camp, where the Government gardens are situated, and which is the only alluvial land in the neighbourhood. At present this water supply is limited, having to be conveyed to the barracks and hospitals, by means of casks mounted on carts, by the Commissariat. The supply, however, is very liberal; amounting, for all purposes, to eight gallons per diem for each man, woman, and child. The large plunge or swimming bath in the lines, for the use of the soldiers, is filled from a well close by, the water of which is saline. This appears to me to be no disadvantage for bathing purposes, though it is stated that an officer in medical charge of one of the regiments of the local European army formerly quartered here objected to the water, even for ablution, on the plea that it affected the skins of his men, and developed a proclivity for boils-an objection, I must state, I cannot, from experience of its effects on the persons of the soldiers of the 64th Regiment, at least, confirm. It is under consideration, and I believe a sum of money has been set aside by Government for the purpose to bring water from the other end of the camp (from the same well as supplies that required for economic purposes) for the plunge-bath too, and to discontinue the brackish water at present used; and this project is to be carried into effect by means of glazed earthenware pipes. A bounteous and good supply of water is the great want of this station, and the plan of remedy has for a length of time afforded much local discussion and excitement. There is no doubt but in time an aqueduct from one of the tributaries of the Indus, some distance inland, will supply the deficiency; and a local municipal enactment for raising the means of carrying out the proposition by a tax, to be levied in and out of the cantonments, is all but promulgated.

The camp to which I have only made passing allusion is the military cantonment of Kurrachee, and extends about two miles, in a line running from south-east to north-west, parallel to the sea, and distant from it on an average about a mile and a half, the native town being equally far off; while the landing-place in the harbour at Kramaree is fully three and a half miles from the most distant or Clifton end of the cantonments. The left of the camp faces landwards or north, and rests on the alluvial tract I have already noticed as being the site of the Government Gardens, and from whence the best water is procurable. There is a good deal of cultivation on this flank, the Parsee inhabitants and other natives having their country residence here. It is at this side the native troops are chiefly hutted. About the middle of the camp is situate the Sudder Bazaar, consisting of several streets occupied by native shopkeepers, tradespeople, and settlers of every kind; the Artillery Barracks, arsenal, depôt for recruits and invalids passing to and from the Punjaub are also in this locality. The lines occupied by the European Corps (late 11th E. I. Co.'s) quartered at Kurrachee also occupy the centre of the

cantonments.

The lines of my own regiment are on the extreme right of the camp, when looking towards the land, and have the sanatarium of Ghizree and Clifton to the south. In this description of the camp, with reference to its right and left, I am describing, according to the rules of castrametation observed in pitching our ordinary camp, and which are also generally adopted in laying out a military cantonment in India, wherein the soldiers' tents or barracks forin the front of the lines, those of the officers being arranged in rear; under this view, then, the soldiers' barracks at Kurrachee face the land, the officers' bungalows being between them and the sea. It is not to be presumed, however, from this that the hygeian influence of the sea breeze has been lost sight of in the laying out of the barracks I am now going to describe. They are so arranged that the full effect of the benign south-west monsoon during the hot months, when it prevails, is freely obtained in each barrack-room. The situation of the European barracks at the end of the camp, occupied by the 64th Regiment, may be described as on a sandy plain, over which at no very remote period the ebb and flow of the tide must have taken place. It is very open, and, from the calcareous nature of the soil and consequent absence of vegetation, healthy. Opposite the camp to its sea face, is a wide expanse of muddy sand, extending from Clifton towards the harbour, and which partakes of the nature of the swamp already alluded to as existing near the town. The sea obtains access to this waste by means of a breach in the sandy spit, which would otherwise connect Clifton with Kramarec. At low water the exhalations from this waste are not very pleasant, but being from marine decomposition are pronounced not to be injurious to the sanitary state of the troops a fact which the statistics of the station seem to corroborate. It was under consideration to shut out the sea at the narrow point of ingress to this lagoon, for the combined desiderata of acquiring land and deepening the bar at the entrance of the harbour by the extra volume of water the tide would direct through the regular channel by this exclusion, while it was also conceived that a beneficial sanitary effect would result by the dessication of the substances which at low water are so redolent of unpleasant exhalations. This project has, I am told, been abandoned for engineering reasons, chiefly grounded, I believe, on the expense it would involve.

I have hinted aleady at the great care taken at Kurrachee, both external to and within the cantonments, to maintain the health of all the inhabitants and troops, by the most strict adherence to sanitary regulations. All the refuse accumulations, including manure and stable litter of every kind, the sweeping of bazaars, barracks, hospitals, and private dwellings, are carefully carried off every day and destroyed by fire in huge furnaces, erected for the purpose, at spots distant and, with reference to the prevailing direction of the wind, to leeward of the camp.

Having concluded the general topograpical history of the station and its environs, inasmuch as may be considered necessary, it now devolves upon me to give some description of the several buildings appropriated for the barrack and hospital accommodation of the troops under my medical charge, and which a reference to the accompanying sketches will aid.

The new barracks of Kurrachee were finished in 1853, the regiment first destined to occupy them being the 64th, which, after an absence of about six years in other stations, with a long interval of employment in the field, returned in April 1859 to its old quarters. I may mention, however, that the new hospital was not finished when the 64th was last at Kurrachee. The whole are constructed of the substantial sandstone already described in the short physical remarks given, as abounding in the neighbourhood, and they are admirably suitable for the purpose intended, and may be pronounced as among the most perfect barracks as yet built in India; affording a favourable contrast to the old pendals and barracks occupied at present by one of the local European corps and as the depôt for the troops employed in the north of India, which barracks decidedly fall short of what is required for the accommodation of European soldiers in this country.

The new barracks are in two lines: that facing the sea, consisting of six, and the landward of four chief blocks of building. In advance of the first line, nearer the sea and between the barracks and officers' houses, are the canteen, ball court, orderly room, and armourer's workshop; while to the north, or land side, of the whole, and therefore to leeward, with reference to the prevailing direction of the wind, are the men's latrines and workshops. In the same vicinity, but beyond the influence of the latrines, are the schoolhouse, regimental cells, and patcheries, or quarters for the accommodation of the married men and their families. The hospital is quite isolated from all, and will be described hereafter. The sergeants' mess, the plunge-bath, quarter-guard, quarter-master's stores, sergeant-major and quarter-mastersergeant's quarters, aid in filling up the space in the second line, in which there are only four barracks. There are, then, ten distinct blocks of building for the service of the soldiers, each of which, for the sake of ventilation, is isolated, having a clear intervening space of about 120 feet separating it from its fellows on either flank. Each barrack has also on its land-rear the lavatory, urinary, and cook-house, for the use of its own inmates. At the ends of each block are rooms for the accommodation of the sergeants of the company quartered in the building; and, corresponding to each sergeant's quarter, is a Cookhouse and necessary for the same. The two lines with reference to each other are in eschelon, so as to secure the full influence of the sea breezes which prevail here eight months of the year. Each room is 278 feet long within the walls, is about 22 feet high, and 24 feet wide, exclusive of the end rooms, which are occupied by the non-commissioned officers.

There are twenty-five doors on each side, with one at either end, in all fifty-two; each door is 9 feet high, exclusive of a window on its summit; corresponding in breadth to the door, the window is 18 inches high, and turns on a pivot for ventilation. A verandah, with its roof joining the wall, about 4 feet beneath that of the building, runs all round. This verandah is 114 feet wide, and affords space for exercise out of the sun's rays. The verandahs are used, also, occasionally for eating in, at breakfast and dinner, as being cooler at certain seasons than the interior of the building. Ventilation is further aided by a row of six large ventilators along the ridge of the roof, as well as by Venetians between the roof of the verandah and that of the building in number corresponding to the doors; above which, also, they are situated. The roof of each building is wooden, protected from the weather by tiles. The floor is raised about 3 feet, and flagged. There are hanging iron shelves in each barrack, running the entire length of the room, on which the men keep their kit secure from the ravages of white ants and other vermin. There are also at the sides racks for the arms, which aid materially in affording space and towards maintaining the neat and clean appearance of the rooms.

It is evident from what I have stated that the ventilation of each barrack is as perfect as possible; while, owing to the numerous apertures by which the pure air gains access, and the means by which the vitiated atmosphere obtains egress, it is obvious nothing deleterious to health in this respect is in existence.

The dimensions of each barrack-room within the walls are, as stated, in length 278 feet, breadth 24 feet, and in altitude 22 feet, affording space for 146,781 cubic feet; and, as each room is constructed for the accommodation of a hundred men, it follows that every soldier, even if the room contains

the number allotted by regulation, has 1,467 cubic feet of air to respire This, however, is the least estimate, for the strength of every room is considerably diminished by men on duty, in hospital, &c.; so that the space for respiration is always much over what I have given, and, considering the adventitious aids for securing free ventilation, it must be conceded that in this respect the barracks are very perfect.

I have alluded to there being six ventilators arranged on the roof of each building: perhaps it would have been better had these barracks, admitted to be so good, been rendered more perfect by the construction of continuous ventilators, which would also have confirmed the advantage of a double roof to each building. It has also been suggested that they might have been constructed on arches, with upper rooms for the men to sleep in, the lower ones to be appropriated for eating, working, and amusement, as in the case of the neighbouring barracks for the troops of the Horse-Artillery, and which no doubt are very perfect, and afford excellent models of what soldiers' quarters should be in India.

Out-buildings. In connection with each barrack I have already adverted to these adjuncts towards the comfort of the soldier. It is difficult, with reference to convenience and health, to arrange at what distance they should be constructed from each room: if too far off, the men are exposed to danger from the solar influence in getting to them; if too close, they may exhale odours productive of disease. It is to be seen how these difficulties have been obviated; and, in the first place, the lavatories and urinaries may be briefly noticed. By a reference to the accompanying ground-plan, the position of these important out-offices can at once be made out, and each may be described in a general way as in rear and to leeward of the centre of its corresponding barrack, and very close up to it also; so as, in the case of the urinary, to afford no inducement to the commission of nuisance. The lavatory is 27 feet by 14 feet, is copiously supplied with water-casks and tubs, is approached by a flight of steps, and is at such an elevation that the used water drains to its corresponding urinary situate on the reverse side, and, washing through each compartment, carries off all the consequently diluted urine to a cesspool, which is, for further security, likewise cleaned out daily, the refuse being taken right away and destroyed. Quick-lime is also freely used as a deodorant; so that, combined with cleanliness and drainage, no unpleasant smells pervade the rooms. Further off, to the rear of each barrack, is its cookhouse, amply fitted up for the culinary comfort of the men. The refuse from this building is also frequently removed; but, as the soldier in this country is not required prepare his own food, and not liable to exposure either in having it taken to him at meal-time, I have nothing further to say, except that these outoffices correspond in every way in excellence with the barracks.

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At the flanks of each building, and at convenient distances from their rooms, the non-commissioned officers have latrines, lavatories, and cookhouses, with cesspools attached, for their own exclusive use; all constructed on a similar scale of convenience, and the accumulations from which are regularly removed.

Latrines-The great difficulty in barracks is to arrange these buildings at a distance not too inconvenient for the men, and at the same time sufficiently far removed as not to be sources of sanitary inconvenience. It will be perceived, by a reference to the ground-plan, that they are four in number, large, and well to leeward of both lines of barracks; and, as the ordure is regularly removed, quick-lime and other deodorants freely used to neutralize effluvia, they are not offensive to the inmates of the barracks.

The schoolhouse, the position of which can be seen by a reference to the plan, is a large commodious building, divided into two rooms for the separate instruction of the adult scholars and boys and girls of the regiment, with appropriate accommodation for the teachers of both sexes. The altitude of the building, ventilation, and other desiderata, are on the same scale of perfection as mentioned in my description of the lines. The school is well away from the barracks; but its situation, for the convenience of the children, is in close vicinity to the patcheries, in which the married men and their families reside.

The canteen, ball-court, and orderly-room are situate to the sea-face of the

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barracks; are all, in their construction, ample and commodious, and partaking of the general superior character of the barracks; but, as neither the canteen, orderly-room, or armourer's shop, as mere buildings, have any great sanitary influence on the soldier, a critical description of their dimensions may not, as in the case of a barrack-room, be considered necessary. Regarding the canteen, the men are not permitted to remain in it any length of timemerely drawing their allowance of spirits or malt liquor, and retiring; and the orderly-room is where the official duty of the regiment is carried on. The position of all these buildings is indicated in the plan.

The quarter-guard, an important building as connected with the discipline of the corps, occupies the centre of the north or landward line, and is, in common with the others, a fine commodious building. Its dimensions arein length 66 feet, altitude 22 feet, and breadth 24 feet. It has twelve double doors, one being composed of iron bars, for security and admission of air. These doors are about 12 feet high; surmounting each, there is a Venetian window, for light and admission of air, with the usual ventilating apparatus along the ridge. The floor is elevated, and flagged with stone, similar to the barrack-rooms.

There is no common guard-room sleeping-place, each man having his own separate tressels on which to arrange his bedding.

The plunge-bath, to which I have already alluded, and whose position is clearly defined in the ground plan, with the well from which the water to fill it is obtained, is a building constructed in every respect so as to secure perfect immunity from sun and weather, with every regard to privacy. Its dimensions are in length 50 feet, breadth 17 feet, and depth 7 feet 4 inches. The water is frequently changed, and themen have free access to it from sunrise to 9 A.M., and from 3 or 4 P.M. (according to season) until sunset. During the extreme heat of the day it is closed, to obviate the danger of exposure to solar influence in going and returning from it to the various barracks, and also to avoid other dangers which bathing at such times may be productive of. It is also shut up at night, for reasons which can be appreciated. To preserve order, and guard against the commission of nuisance by evil-disposed individuals, two men of the regimental police are in attendance while the bath is open. The sanitary advantages attending the frequent immersion of the person, with regularity in the performance of ablutions in hot conntries, cannot be over estimated; and it is a pity there is not another plunge-bath of similar size. For a strong regiment and extent of the lines, one is not enough. It is also a subject of regret that there is no large bathing or washinghouse for the general use of the women and children.

The patcheries for the accommodation of the families consist of four separate rows of quarters, distant on an average about five hundred yards from the nearest barrack, and midway between them and the Regimental Hospital. They are situated on a ridge slightly elevated, the site being selected evidently with a view of good drainage and salubrity; and, being handsomely built and comfortable structures, they form very seemly appendages to the general appearance of the barracks. Though considerably to the landward of the barracks, they have a general south-west exposure; so that they derive every advantage of the sea-breeze. Collectively, they are arranged for the occupation of a hundred families, and divided into four blocks so arranged that one does not interfere with the other in the way of ventilation. Along the front of each block there is a continuous verandah, in which the children can take exercise without exposure to the weather. Each family has a distinct isolated dwelling, consisting of two rooms, very lofty, with a large roof-ventilator. The centre wall, separating the rooms, only runs half-way up, so as not to interrupt the free circulation of air. As adjuncts to the general comfort of these quarters, and with a considerate regard for the decency and privacy of the inmates, each quarter has a separate bathing-room, cookhouse, and latrine.

The health of the women and children of the regiment, since its arrival at Kurrachee, has on the whole been very good, and the mortality in proportion very small, which in a great measure must be attributed to the excellent accommodation set apart for them and the healthy situation of their habi tations.