§ COLONEL WYNDHAM MURRAY (Bath)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for India whether an outbreak of enteric fever has accrued among the Black Watch regiment at Subathu; whether the same regiment suffered severely from the same disease last summer in the same place; whether at that time the prevalence of the disease 1252 was accounted for by one of the reservoirs being infected with the particular bacillus which is associated with this disease, the water being found to be swarming with the characteristic microbes; what-steps have been taken in the matter since last summer; and, if all precautions have been taken, what special advantages exist at this place that it should be maintained longer as a troop station?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Lord GEORGE HAMILTON,) Middlesex, EalingA fresh outbreak of enteric fever has. I regret to say, occurred among the Black Watch, which arrived at Subathu on March 24 last. A telegram from the Viceroy dated May 23 states that 18 cases have occurred, 14 of which, however, are believed to have been contracted on the march up from the plains. Two cases have resulted fatally. Every possible sanitary precaution has been taken, and a thorough bacteriological examination into the cause of the disease is being made. A scheme for improving the permanent water supply, involving the acquisition of land and springs, is being carried out; meanwhile the laying of a temporary pipe is nearly completed. Subathu, which is 4,500 feet above the sea, has a good climate, and is not usually unhealthy.