'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1862-63’ [‎112v] (220/266)

APPENDIX TO JUDICIAL REPORT.
increase of strength* But even on this point the figures but imperfectly represent
the matter, inasmuch as within the past five years 43 prisoners have been either
transferred or liberated as offering the only likelihood of prolonging life. Taking
this into account, and the circumstance that prior to 1857 no instance of the kind
had happened, it appears doubtful whether the state of health has really undergone
any very material improvement since the period reviewed in Mr. Bettington’s report,
when, with a much higher strength, the prisoners had still the relief afforded by em
ployment at road-labour. At all events ample observation has long since convinced
me that with the accommodation provided it is impracticable to maintain a satisfac
tory state of health with in-door labour when the strength exceeds 400, and even
then the habits of the people, their addiction to opium, and the fact that many are
members of wandering tribes, must always place this Jail at a disadvantage when
under comparison.
“ From January to June inclusive, with a strength averaging 409, but ranging
from 345 to 499, the total admitted was 194. The deaths, however, during this
period amounted to 14, half the number resulting from cholera. From July to the end
of the year the average strength was as high as 575, the increase being caused by the
return of the gang previously employed on the Gogo road. Within this interval
the admissions in hospital were 270 and the deaths 12, all, with two exceptions,
connected with the existence of a cachectic condition of health.
“ The diseases, generally speaking, were more severe in type than usually
happens, and thus convalescence was often tediously protracted by resulting debility
or relapse, and occasionally rendered critical by the occurrence of symptoms of
cachexia. Such results were met with throughout but more frequently during the
latter half of the year when overcrowding favoured their development.
u ft is impossible to maintain a satisfactory state of health with an insufficiency
of air. 1 he dormitories of this Jail are mere cells, and notoriously ill-ventilated,
and the prisoners lodged in them have not for the past six months had more than 296
cubic feet of space each. It is to this cause that sickness, and particularly the
cachectic forms of disease, are due, as I have often previously pointed out. Half
the mortality of the year is, perhaps, attributable to overcrowding, and but for the
relief afforded by out-door labour, the casualty list would undoubtedly have been
considerably swelled, especially since six of the ‘ transferred’ were liberated, as
affording the only means of saving life.
Remedy, however, is difficult. Inherent defects prevent anything being done
in the way of ventilating the dormitories beyond what has already been effected,
while the little unoccupied accommodation available is altogether inadequate to
meet the requirements of the case, besides that it is open to the objections of
insecurity and of being detached from the body of the Jail. Under these circum
stances the most advisable course will be to pitch tents for the reception of 150 or
200 men, and I will recommend this as soon as the season may warrant. But at
present, what with a general prevalence of sickness, traceable to late falls of rain,
and unusual coldness of weather, its adoption might be productive of more harm
than good. ° r
. This pioposal has, I believe, the approval of the Inspector-General of
nsons, and fortunately there are no difficulties in the way, as the old tents used by
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