OF OF THE STATION OP SKETCH MAP OP
Referred ?Referred
at to at
78. page 7'S.
DALHOUSIE,
April 1,
DALHOUSIE AS A SANITARIUM.?BY E. A. BIRCH.
1870.]
73
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.
I
?
DALHOUSIE AS A SANITARIUM.
Assistant-Surgeon
By
F.R.C.S.I., Civil Surgeon.
E. A. Bihch,
a British Island (so to speak) surrounded by Chamba territory, situated in Lat. 32?32', road about 50 miles, and in a straight line 26 miles from the foot of the hills at Pathankote, ?which lies in a S.W. direction ; about 80 miles from Dhurmsala by road towards the east; and Chamba (the capital of the State) on tho If. E., is only 9 miles distant as the crow flies, but about 20 by road. The Dooneirah Kange of hills (7 miles distant to the S. W.) constitutes the
The station of Palhousie constitutes
fand Long. 76?, E.,
distant
by
Chamba
between British and
boundary territory.
The
separating
River Pavee,
Chamba from Jummoo territory, lies
to
varying from 3 to 6 miles, as it winds its way through the hills. As to the accessibility of Dalhousie there is but little to be said, for at present only one road worthy of the name exists, namethe north at distances
ly,
that from Pathankote.
There are, how-
approaches from Dhurmsala, also one from Madhopore, along the banks of the Pavee. Dooley daks are available on the former, and marching parties who feel so disposed can adopt the latter route. Only one pucka road leads into Pathankote, that from Uinritsur via Goordaspore, upon which dak gharries are always available. Dooley daks can always be arranged for the conveyance of passengers from Sealkote, Jullundur and neighbouring stations; but those who desire to travel by carriage must proceed via Umritsur. Arrived at Pathankote (where there are two hotels) the invalid has no choice but to adopt dooley travelling for the remaining 52 miles. However, for 28 miles of the way (as far as Dooneirah) the road is most excellent, having within the last year been so greatly improved by the Deputy Commissioner, as to admit of wheeled traffic; the expense of the journey being thereby much diminished, baggage can now be sent thus far per bullock hackery or camel. It may also be mentioned that this portion of the road being very wide and railed in, the most timid rider need not fear to travel on horseback. There are excellent dak bungalows at Dhar, Dooneirah and Mamool (distant respectively 15, 28 and 38 miles from Pathankote.) From
Clmnilff
ever,
Mamool to Dalhousie the road is narrow, and the khuds exceed-
ingly precipitous. Only one stream has to lie crossed (about 10 miles from Dalhousie) and it is very seldom indeed that its condition delays traffic, for it is only during the heaviest rain that it becomes much swollen, and its fall again is always rapid. A new road is now being constructed from Pathankote to
Dalhousie,
but most
ready for use improvement
;
probably
if, however,
the
years will elapse before it is objects aimed at bo effected?
and increased width, so upon the present gradient as to admit of wheeled traffic entering the station?the gain will be great. The line of the Kutullugh hills has been selected in preference to the present route (the Dian Koond range.) There is a good road from Chamba to Dalhousie; Bukloh, the station of the 4th is passed about 1 mile ?Q the Pathankote Goorkhas, side of Mamool.
Population according to the census of July 22nd, Europeans under 10 years of age ?
over
,,
?
?
...
Total
Natives
under over
10 10
18G9 ...
...
?
...
???
Total
...
...
...
ng 191 309 233 3,143 3.376
Number of ?
?
European
houses
Native
?
...
?
...
...
102 214
The station, as may be seen by the accompanying rough sketch map,* is situated upon four hills, namely :? 6,196 feet above sea level. >. 1. Kutullugh do. do. 2. Potreyne 6,740 ...
...
is
3.
Tera
4.
Bakrota
...
...
...
...
do. do.
7,000 7,687
of laminated
do. do.
stone ; so indeed but here the formation becomes more slaty in exists at its Tera end. Both Tera and some
Kutullugh Potreyne,
is
composed
clay
gneiss composed entirely of gneiss, which absorbs water freely, and disintegrates with exposure to the weather. loose clay anywhere, yet There is no very large amount of the quantity of vegetation is considerable; a peculiar blackish soil, which has the appearance of garden loam, but which character,
and
Bakrota are
when
that
purpose, except experience teaches is useless for this loam-like soil absorbs highly manured, is found in patches; with in greatest quantities large quantities of water, and is met is very common upon the south Bakrota hill; the upper upon and south-western sides of Tera, and equally rare upon its
Ferns and coarse, vegetation thrive upon it. The of vegetation exists everywhere throughout' of upper Bakrota, which the station, except on the north side is covered with a dense pine forest; the trees elsewhere are, with very few exceptions, either rhododendrous or evergreen oaks; they are, in my opinion, much too densely packed. Slates are found in Chamba territory in two or three places, but at levels considerably below that of the station. The summit of*
north side. same
character
each hill is an open space?almost a grass sward; and houses situated are reputed, and no doubt justly, to be healthier
so
*
Given separately.
.
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
74 than
?
others?they rent better too. The roads are, as a rule, good, and quite sufficiently numerous for the present wants of the station. The Municipal Committee need therefore only incur expenses for their repair, and so much has of late been done in this direction that it is to be hoped funds will now be more liberally bestowed upon the vigorous carrying out of sanitary measures.
A tolerably general impression prevails to the effect that the JJakrota hill possesses a more salubrious climate than either of its neighbours. That such is in reality the case to some extent I am convinced, nor has one far to go for fair reasons to support suoh an assertion; for undoubtedly the houses upon Bakrota are, as a rule, better constructed?having been built at a later date when it was seen beyond doubt that the station would be permanent. There is too large a space on the top of Bakrota free from jungle, upon which many houses are built, while compara-
tively few exist upon its jungly sides, which, unlike Tera and Potreyne, are in most places too steep for building purposes. Another possible reason is, that, having been a shorter time inhabited, the soil is doubtless less impregnated with noxious
matters. One of the
greatest, perhaps the greatest, advantage that Dalhousie possesses is the close vicinity of an ample supply of excellent water. As yet the station has not been able to avail itself of this great gift of nature, in consequence of want of funds. It is, however, sincerely to be trusted that all defects upon this score will soon be remedied. At present matters stand thus. Water is conducted into the station by means of a kutcha channel, which leads it from the Paunch Pool stream, where the latter forms a torrent running in the ravine separating Bukrota from Dian I?oond. Bakrota at a level
The water is thus brought along the side of than the church?which, as
slightly higher
may be seen, is centrally situated in the gully between Bakrota and Tera; it is here received into a covered reservoir capable of
containing about 2,500 gallons.
The reservoir is "well constructed, possessing a strainer and a and is covered in with a slated roof, so that the water inside cannot be tampered with. Six or eight spouts, such as the
filter,
one represented, are placed in a row, plug to prevent unnecessary waste.
all
seasons
pf the year
much more
than
and each is
procurable from
As to
supplied
quantity,
the Paunch Pool
thing
that can ever be
quickly
a
stream
supply wants far beyond required by Dalhousie, no matter
sufficient to
soever
with
there is at anyhow-
vastly the (station may increase. In June, last year, (the season) 324,000 gallons were yielded per 24 hours at that portiop of the stream whence the kutcha channel that is, a supply for more than 30,000 persons at a originates rate of 10 gallons per heaa per diem! Such however is the temporary nature of the present water-course, that in consequence of its injury from various causes (such as heavy falls of rain, choking with dead leaves, falling of stones,
Referred ?Referred
at to at
78. page 7'S.
DALHOUSIE,
April 1,
DALHOUSIE AS A SANITARIUM.?BY E. A. BIRCH.
1870.]
73
ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.
I
?
DALHOUSIE AS A SANITARIUM.
Assistant-Surgeon
By
F.R.C.S.I., Civil Surgeon.
E. A. Bihch,
a British Island (so to speak) surrounded by Chamba territory, situated in Lat. 32?32', road about 50 miles, and in a straight line 26 miles from the foot of the hills at Pathankote, ?which lies in a S.W. direction ; about 80 miles from Dhurmsala by road towards the east; and Chamba (the capital of the State) on tho If. E., is only 9 miles distant as the crow flies, but about 20 by road. The Dooneirah Kange of hills (7 miles distant to the S. W.) constitutes the
The station of Palhousie constitutes
fand Long. 76?, E.,
distant
by
Chamba
between British and
boundary territory.
The
separating
River Pavee,
Chamba from Jummoo territory, lies
to
varying from 3 to 6 miles, as it winds its way through the hills. As to the accessibility of Dalhousie there is but little to be said, for at present only one road worthy of the name exists, namethe north at distances
ly,
that from Pathankote.
There are, how-
approaches from Dhurmsala, also one from Madhopore, along the banks of the Pavee. Dooley daks are available on the former, and marching parties who feel so disposed can adopt the latter route. Only one pucka road leads into Pathankote, that from Uinritsur via Goordaspore, upon which dak gharries are always available. Dooley daks can always be arranged for the conveyance of passengers from Sealkote, Jullundur and neighbouring stations; but those who desire to travel by carriage must proceed via Umritsur. Arrived at Pathankote (where there are two hotels) the invalid has no choice but to adopt dooley travelling for the remaining 52 miles. However, for 28 miles of the way (as far as Dooneirah) the road is most excellent, having within the last year been so greatly improved by the Deputy Commissioner, as to admit of wheeled traffic; the expense of the journey being thereby much diminished, baggage can now be sent thus far per bullock hackery or camel. It may also be mentioned that this portion of the road being very wide and railed in, the most timid rider need not fear to travel on horseback. There are excellent dak bungalows at Dhar, Dooneirah and Mamool (distant respectively 15, 28 and 38 miles from Pathankote.) From
Clmnilff
ever,
Mamool to Dalhousie the road is narrow, and the khuds exceed-
ingly precipitous. Only one stream has to lie crossed (about 10 miles from Dalhousie) and it is very seldom indeed that its condition delays traffic, for it is only during the heaviest rain that it becomes much swollen, and its fall again is always rapid. A new road is now being constructed from Pathankote to
Dalhousie,
but most
ready for use improvement
;
probably
if, however,
the
years will elapse before it is objects aimed at bo effected?
and increased width, so upon the present gradient as to admit of wheeled traffic entering the station?the gain will be great. The line of the Kutullugh hills has been selected in preference to the present route (the Dian Koond range.) There is a good road from Chamba to Dalhousie; Bukloh, the station of the 4th is passed about 1 mile ?Q the Pathankote Goorkhas, side of Mamool.
Population according to the census of July 22nd, Europeans under 10 years of age ?
over
,,
?
?
...
Total
Natives
under over
10 10
18G9 ...
...
?
...
???
Total
...
...
...
ng 191 309 233 3,143 3.376
Number of ?
?
European
houses
Native
?
...
?
...
...
102 214
The station, as may be seen by the accompanying rough sketch map,* is situated upon four hills, namely :? 6,196 feet above sea level. >. 1. Kutullugh do. do. 2. Potreyne 6,740 ...
...
is
3.
Tera
4.
Bakrota
...
...
...
...
do. do.
7,000 7,687
of laminated
do. do.
stone ; so indeed but here the formation becomes more slaty in exists at its Tera end. Both Tera and some
Kutullugh Potreyne,
is
composed
clay
gneiss composed entirely of gneiss, which absorbs water freely, and disintegrates with exposure to the weather. loose clay anywhere, yet There is no very large amount of the quantity of vegetation is considerable; a peculiar blackish soil, which has the appearance of garden loam, but which character,
and
Bakrota are
when
that
purpose, except experience teaches is useless for this loam-like soil absorbs highly manured, is found in patches; with in greatest quantities large quantities of water, and is met is very common upon the south Bakrota hill; the upper upon and south-western sides of Tera, and equally rare upon its
Ferns and coarse, vegetation thrive upon it. The of vegetation exists everywhere throughout' of upper Bakrota, which the station, except on the north side is covered with a dense pine forest; the trees elsewhere are, with very few exceptions, either rhododendrous or evergreen oaks; they are, in my opinion, much too densely packed. Slates are found in Chamba territory in two or three places, but at levels considerably below that of the station. The summit of*
north side. same
character
each hill is an open space?almost a grass sward; and houses situated are reputed, and no doubt justly, to be healthier
so
*
Given separately.
.
THE INDIAN MEDICAL GAZETTE.
74 than
?
others?they rent better too. The roads are, as a rule, good, and quite sufficiently numerous for the present wants of the station. The Municipal Committee need therefore only incur expenses for their repair, and so much has of late been done in this direction that it is to be hoped funds will now be more liberally bestowed upon the vigorous carrying out of sanitary measures.
A tolerably general impression prevails to the effect that the JJakrota hill possesses a more salubrious climate than either of its neighbours. That such is in reality the case to some extent I am convinced, nor has one far to go for fair reasons to support suoh an assertion; for undoubtedly the houses upon Bakrota are, as a rule, better constructed?having been built at a later date when it was seen beyond doubt that the station would be permanent. There is too large a space on the top of Bakrota free from jungle, upon which many houses are built, while compara-
tively few exist upon its jungly sides, which, unlike Tera and Potreyne, are in most places too steep for building purposes. Another possible reason is, that, having been a shorter time inhabited, the soil is doubtless less impregnated with noxious
matters. One of the
greatest, perhaps the greatest, advantage that Dalhousie possesses is the close vicinity of an ample supply of excellent water. As yet the station has not been able to avail itself of this great gift of nature, in consequence of want of funds. It is, however, sincerely to be trusted that all defects upon this score will soon be remedied. At present matters stand thus. Water is conducted into the station by means of a kutcha channel, which leads it from the Paunch Pool stream, where the latter forms a torrent running in the ravine separating Bukrota from Dian I?oond. Bakrota at a level
The water is thus brought along the side of than the church?which, as
slightly higher
may be seen, is centrally situated in the gully between Bakrota and Tera; it is here received into a covered reservoir capable of
containing about 2,500 gallons.
The reservoir is "well constructed, possessing a strainer and a and is covered in with a slated roof, so that the water inside cannot be tampered with. Six or eight spouts, such as the
filter,
one represented, are placed in a row, plug to prevent unnecessary waste.
all
seasons
pf the year
much more
than
and each is
procurable from
As to
supplied
quantity,
the Paunch Pool
thing
that can ever be
quickly
a
stream
supply wants far beyond required by Dalhousie, no matter
sufficient to
soever
with
there is at anyhow-
vastly the (station may increase. In June, last year, (the season) 324,000 gallons were yielded per 24 hours at that portiop of the stream whence the kutcha channel that is, a supply for more than 30,000 persons at a originates rate of 10 gallons per heaa per diem! Such however is the temporary nature of the present water-course, that in consequence of its injury from various causes (such as heavy falls of rain, choking with dead leaves, falling of stones,
