'Military Lessons of the Arab Rebellion in Palestine 1936' [‎119v] (245/294)

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specialists for ophthalmic and ears-nose-and-throat cases. A consulting
surgeon and a consulting physician were available from Egypt. There
were four Dental Officers with the Force, including one R.A.E. Officer.
The great bulk of the casualties were due to sickness - battle
casualties amounted only to 155 in all - but in general the health of
the Force was very satisfactory. Sandfly fever accounted for the high
est number of hospital admissions (over 200 a month at times). Though
Bamber Oil and nets were issued to all troops, the oil was not applied
frequently enough as a rule and supervision of protective measures was
difficult owing to the wide dispersion of the troops. It was not
generally realised that Bamber Oil loses its effect in about an hour,
and an unlimited issue to units was found to be essential. It also be
came necessary in places to protect sentries with head-nets and gauntlets,
but these were not available at first and there was often a disinclination
to use them.
Diseases of the digestive system came next in order, followed by
"I.A.T." cases (inflammation of the Areolar Tissue) which had accounted
for 257 b of the sick v;astage of the Great War. Strenuous efforts to
combat the latter met v/ith a good measure of success. Fresh fruit was
included in the ration, and special insistence made upon personal clean
liness and early attention to small cuts and abrasions which so often
turn septic and develop into more serious complaints. In dealing with
the latter Elastoplast proved a great boon as its ready and easy applica
tion ensured its early use.
Cases of Malaria were remarkably few although the disease is endemic
in Palestine. In part at least this vra.s due to the beneficial results
achieved by the. civil malaria service, but energetic measures to secure
personal prophylaxis contributed largely. In particularly malarious
regions (such as the Jordan valley) troops were given prophylactic
quinine - 5 grains daily with 10 grains on Fridays, starting wherever
possible three days before moving to the infected area. Cases of dysen
tery were few, due perhaps to widespread propaganda regarding fly-proof
ing, and mostly slight ovung to early admission to hospital and treatment
by serum and salines. There were no cases of typhoid, although it was
endemic among the native population, and the value of the T.A.B. inocu
lation was very evident. A low incidence of venereal disease may be
attributed largely to the fact that troops were kept very fully enployed
and an early curfew for the civil population in the main tov/ns was in
force throughout.
During October, v/hen the strength of the garrison reached its peak,
hospital in-patients numbered 40 officers and 1233 other ranks, while
out-patient treatment was given during the same period to 10 officers
and 2293 other ranks.
Medical lessons so far as they affect the troops themselves provide
no novelty. The need for a wider knowledge of first aid, the importance
of personal prophylaxis to combat malaria and sandfly, the need of personal
cleanliness and the early treatment of minor wounds as a precaution against
I.A.T., the menace of flies and the danger in regard to dysentery of
buying fruit and drinks frcm natives, and finally the influence of the
junior officer and N.C.O. in keeping dov/n venereal disease were the
principal lessons. In addition a very real need was felt for some form
of portable hot-water bathing system designed on a Company basis; while
the lectures and demonstrations required to be given by King’s Regulations,
paragraph 800 (b), did not seem sufficient to secure effective instruc
tion in sanitation.