more permanent arrangement in Indian villages, with the object of checking the frightful evil of surface pollution of the whole country, from the people habitually fouling the fields, roads, streets, and watercourses.  Long trenches are dug, at about one foot or less in depth, at a spot set apart, about 200 or 300 yards from dwellings.  Matting screens are placed round for decency.  Each day the trench, which has received the excreta of the preceding day, is filled up, the excreta being covered with fresh earth obtained by digging a new trench adjoining, which, when it has been used, is treated in the same manner.  Thus the trenches are gradually extended, until sufficient ground has been utilized, when they are plowed up and the site used for cultivation.  The Indian plow does not penetrate more than eight inches; consequently, if the trench is too deep, the lower stratum is left unmixed with earth, forming a permanent cesspool, and becomes a source of future trouble.  It is to be observed, however, that in the wet season these trenches cannot be used, and in sandy soil they do not answer.  This system, although it is preferable to what formerly prevailed—­viz., the surface defilement of the ground all round villages and of the adjacent water courses—­is fraught with danger unless subsequent cultivation of the site be strictly enforced, because it would otherwise retain large and increasing masses of putrefying matter in the soil, in a condition somewhat unfavorable to rapid absorption.  These arrangements are applicable only to very rough life or very poor communities.

The question of the removal of kitchen refuse, manure, etc., from barracks next calls for notice.  The great principle to be observed in removing the solid refuse from barracks is that every decomposable substance should be taken away at once.  This principle applies especially in warm climates.  Even the daily removal of refuse entails the necessity of places for the deposit of the refuse, and therefore this principle must be applied in various ways to suit local convenience.  In open situations, exposed to cool winds, there is less danger of injury to health from decomposing matters than there would be in hot, moist, or close positions.  In the country generally there is less risk of injury than in close parts of towns.  These considerations show that the same stringency is not necessarily required everywhere.  Position by itself affords a certain degree of protection from nuisance.  The amount of decomposing matter usually produced is also another point to be considered.  A small daily product is not, of course, so injurious as a large product.  Even the manner of accumulating decomposing substances influences their effect on health.  There is less risk from a dung heap to the leeward than to the windward of a barrack.  The receptacles in which refuse is temporarily placed, such as ash pits and manure pits, should never be below the level of the ground.  If a deep pit is dug in the ground, into which the refuse is thrown in the intervals between times of removal, rain and surface water will mix with the refuse and hasten its decomposition, and generally the lowest part of the filth will not be removed, but will be left to fester and produce malaria.  In all places where the occupation is permanent the following conditions should be attended to: