The chief productions of Singapore and forming a considerable part of her export trade are pepper and gambier, both of which are extensively cultivated in the interior. The value of the Gambier exported in 1853.54 was Rs. 13,29,414 and the value of the pepper was Rs. 14,12,201. The amount of goods imported for re-exportation is comparatively speaking unimpor tant. THE JAILS OF THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. For 1855. ON the 14th of October, 1856, the Inspector of Prisons of the Madras Presidency submitted to the Government a report upon the sanitary condition of the jails and regretted the delay which had taken place in its submission. He observes that the present report is confirmatory of the fact that certain classes are peculiarly susceptible of disease when confined in jail, and that to such a sentence of imprisonment is almost a sentence of death. The average number of prisoners in the jails at any one time of the year 1853-54 was 6372 and the average percentage of deaths was 5.3 whilst 97.4 underwent treatment for disease. The average strength of prisoners during 1854-55 was 6,535 and the percentage of deaths to the average strength was 4-9 whilst those under treatment were 102.7 per cent. This exhibits a decrease in the mortality when compared with the preceding year. For, though the actual admissions into hospital have slightly increased as 105 to 100 per cent. yet the mortality has been less by a per cent. or as 5.6 to 61. In only two of the Jails has epidemic disease prevailed to any serious extent, cholera appeared in the Salem Jail and small-pox at Calicut, in the former 38 casualties from 57 seizures appear in the return and in the latter 32 deaths from 89 attacks. The improved health of the prisoners is mainly owing to improvement in ventilation, greater accommodation and greater cleanliness. The gaols of Coimbatoor, Combaconum and Madura shew the same decided unhealthiness as they have done for many years and yet no gaols in the presidency have had the same amount of attention paid to them. At Bellary the water is a cause of disease and at Madura, Coimbatoor and Salem "it is so bad that any one tasting it can at once perceive it" In no instance during 1854-55 has disease been engendered by employment; on the contrary, the occupations of the prisoners appear to have been conducive to their health. Amongst the gangs of prisoners employed on the roads or on special work, as at Paumbaum, although the admissions into hospital have been numerous 1063 from an average strength of 334, yet the ailments have generally been of a trivial nature and readily amenable to treatment. The greatest number of admissions have occurred at Paumbaum where the nature of the work exposes to slight accidents and febrile attacks, but the mortality has been but small. Table shewing the number of Admissions and Deaths in each Gang of Prisoners from 1819 to 1854, contrasted with the results of 1855. |