'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎187] (222/450)

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LET. I.]
INTENSE HEAT.
187
great many sick on board. He has made her stand
off again immediately, and will not allow even a
cask of water to be put on board her. He has put
Bussora under quarantine also. The sickness, what
ever it may be, has spread up the Persian shore as
far as Congoon. At Bahrein they say they have
lost by it 4000 persons, or two-thirds of their popu
lation ! It seems to nestle on the low hot shores of
the Persian gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . I cannot distinctly make out
whether they have it at Muscat or not, though I
believe they have.
The thermometer all last night was 93°, till three
o'clock this morning, when it fell gradually to 90°,
which is its lowest point. It is not however the heat
I so much complain of, as the steam and closeness,
which is very relaxing, and irritating beyond any
thing I ever felt or imagined. My poor Bagdadees
look like ghosts; and even they are covered with
prickly heat. " Sir," said Yusuf Aga* to-day, " we
can live in fire, but not in a Hamaum." He said
this upon my remarking that it was quite delightful
to hear the Bagdadees at last obliged to complain
of heat.
I bless God every hour of the day that you have
escaped this. It cheers my spirits under the smart
ing and burning of the prickly heat, and the un
common languor which 1 feel, and which renders it
quite a labour to walk across the terrace.
* One of Mr. Rich's Mahometan servants, and a native of Bagdad.