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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

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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inhabitants of the different villages which are contiguous to these briny swamps com- plained that their houses were rendered uninhabitable ; that most of their cultivated lands were flooded ; and that the water had risen so high on their palmyra-trees, that they were prevented from drawing toddy. To remedy these evils, Mr. Hepburn (Col- lector of the province) gave orders that a cut should be made from the four united marshes to the Curnyar River, which rises in the Calcaud Hills, with a view of divert- ing the superfluous waters from the deluged country: the cut was made, and for a time answered the purpose intended; but the subsequent rains in February and March last', unfortunately, by occasioning fresh floods and a new pressure, choked up the opening. Since that period, and from the time of the weather becoming drier, every exertion has been made to drain the coun- try, and relieve the suffering inhabitants. (1) March 181].—See Date at the end of the Report.

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