| text: |
The pony ration actually issued by the Commissariat at the commencement was one seer of grain a day. This allowance was manifestly insufficient; and a short time after the train had begun to work Major Chambers reported 36 deaths and over 50 sick, also that the ponies were getting emaciated, as well they might. The grass ration is not stated. Major Chambers says the ponies got " no fodder." This was presumably because there were at first no grass-cutters, but 3,000 maunds of compressed hay (enough for the whole train for 60 days), had been landed at Golaghat, as a "reserve," the estimated cost being Rs.10,312-8. At the rate of 6 seers per pony, the daily consumption would have been about 50 maunds, and as the existing commissariat transport was capable of placing a total of 80 maunds a day at Piphima, where there was apparently at that moment a block of stores, it would seem to have been expensive, it would not have been so costly a measure as allowing the animals to starve. ( Telegram from Major Chambers to Quarter Master General in India, dated Kohima, 11th May 1880.) |
| text: |
In lieu of ingredients for horse medicines, Major Chambers asked for " a supply of coolie balls, fever and cough medicines for coolies, and carbolic ointment for sore backs and girth galls on ponies." |
