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Medical, geographical, and agricultural report of a committee appointed by the Madras Government to inquire into the causes of the epidemic fever which prevailed in the provinces of Coimbatore, Madura, Dindigul, and Tinnivelly, during the years 1809, 1810 and 1811: of which Dr. W. Ainslie was president; Mr. A. Smith, second member; Dr. M. Christy, third member.

  • Madras (India : Presidency). Medical Committee to Inquire into the Causes of the Epidemic Fever.
Date:
1816
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Medical, geographical, and agricultural report of a committee appointed by the Madras Government to inquire into the causes of the epidemic fever which prevailed in the provinces of Coimbatore, Madura, Dindigul, and Tinnivelly, during the years 1809, 1810 and 1811: of which Dr. W. Ainslie was president; Mr. A. Smith, second member; Dr. M. Christy, third member. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “Its site is low, compared with the country adjoining: it is surrounded with a wet ditch, which, with several tanks within the fort, is filled from the river: in the immediate vicinity there are many tanks and rice-grounds, also supplied with water from the river. The fortis three and three quarters English miles in circum- ference : it was some years ago supposed to have contained forty thousand inhabitants ; although now, from various causes, limagine twenty thousand to be the utmost extent of its population: the inhabitants are, with a few exceptions, extremely poor, and their houses the most low and mean description of huts: the streets are narrow, filled with dirt and rubbish; and the old drains having been long since choked up, the rain-water stands everywhere in stagnating pools: thousands of cattle are kept within the walls, nor is there any regard paid to cleaning out the various description of filth, which is allowed to accumulate. “The fort is also much crowded with trees, which, besides the bad effects re-