3 P.M.

days dusty.

TOPOGRAPHICAL AND SANITARY REPORT ON SUBATHOO (A LOWER HIMALAYAN STATION).

By DR. MUNRO, Surgeon, 93rd Highlanders. 1859-60.

THE Station of Subathoo is situated on a small range of hills running nearly north and south, and apparently a continuation of the same range on which Dugshai stands. On either side, east or west, this ridge is enclosed by deep valleys, which commence beyond the north end of Subathoo, and run, in a semicircular sweep, to a short distance beyond Dugshai, where they appear to

meet.

The Subathoo ridge slopes down on both sides into these valleys, and is intersected by many watercourses, which act as drains, conveying all surfacewater into the valleys below.

The space occupied by the station does not exceed a square mile. At the southern extremity lie the barracks and hospitals; in the centre is the paradeground, surrounded by the bazaar, commissariat buildings, several other public buildings and private bungalows; and at the north end are officers' bungalows and several private houses.

Every barrack, house, or building is situated either on the top of small eminences or on spots excavated and levelled on the sides of the main ridge; the only piece of naturally level ground being the common parade.

The barracks intended for the troops consist of ten separate mud (or cucha) buildings, situated partly on the side of the hill and partly along the crest of the lower portion of the same hill. They are not built with any regularity, but suited to the nature of the ground on which each particular building stands. Some run north and south, some east and west, and at the north end of the range several are so grouped together as to interfere with the free circulation of air around them."

Each of the ten buildings consists of three separate compartments, all communicating with each other. The two lateral ones are used as sleeping apartments, and the centre as a dining-room. A narrow verandah (five feet broad) surrounds each building, and the only means of ventilation are the doors and windows. Each compartment has a distinct roof; the two lateral ones have double angular roofs, all covered in with wooden shingles; the central roof is flat; and in the upper part of the walls of this centre room, which are higher than the eaves of the lateral compartments, are openings fitted with Venetian blinds, which open externally, and produce to a certain extent a current of air if windows and doors are left open.

After my arrival, holes were opened at the bottom of the walls all round each building, and wooden gratings fitted into them; and in the wooden ceiling of each lateral compartment openings were also made; and the intention was to have cut ridge-ventilators, so as to complete the ventilation from below upwards; but this latter portion of the work was temporarily put a stop to. I was in hopes, however, that before the advent of another hot season, the whole alteration would be completed.

Each barrack is 145 feet long, and the aggregate space of the three compartments is 56,000 cubit feet; allowing, at the rate of 70 men per room, 800 cubic feet each. In each barrack there is a cook-house and latrine, both at some little distance from the main buildings, and there are three ablutionhouses at the north end of the barracks.

The hospital for the men is a fine large building, situated on a spur projecting from the south end of the main ridge, and so placed that wind from every quarter can reach it. It is double-storied, with fine large spacious double verandahs; consists of twelve rooms, all opening into each other, and which together are capable of containing a hundred men. At the southern extremities of the lower verandah are two good ablution rooms, fitted with tables, basins, and slipper-baths; and detached, but communicating by a covered staircase, is one of the best constructed latrines I have ever seen. Close to the regimental is the female hospital-a nice neat bungalow, divided into four wards, fitted