'IRAQ AND THE PERSIAN GULF' [‎305v] (613/862)

472 IRRIGATION, AGRICULTURE, AND MINOR INDUSTRY
the worst, and was difficult to check because, as is common with other
diseases in Iraq, infection was brought in by the seasonal migration
to and from Persia and Turkey. Systematic inspection and inocula
tion have greatly reduced its incidence. Two diseases of sheep and
goats, strongylosis and piroplasmosis, cause debility which may
result in the death of up to 50 per cent, of flocks when winter grazing
is scarce. These and other tick-borne diseases have been effectively
checked by the adoption of simple sheep-washes. Other serious
diseases of sheep include pleuro-pneumonia and sheep pox. Glanders,
surra fly, and epizootic lymphangitis, are endemic equine pests;
there is a belt or region of surra on the Euphrates above Nasiriya.
Anthrax is only sporadic, and foot-and-mouth exists only in a mild
form. Buffaloes suffer from haemorrhagic septicaemia, which may
cause heavy losses in a dry season when the marshes are exceptionally
stagnant; it is controlled by inoculation.
Minor Industries
Mineral oil, omitted from this survey as being extraneous to the
normal industrial life of Iraq, is described on pp. 492 ff.
Not only is Iraq not an industrial country but it is short of even
those forms of light industry necessary for the processing or packing
of agricultural products, and also of those which usually accompany
the urban civilization of agricultural countries. Such modern in
dustries as exist are of these two types, but the greater part of the
manufacture and preparation of foodstuffs, clothing, furniture, and
utensils is done by ‘cottage’ industries and small workshops, usually
gathered together in the bazaars of the larger towns, where smiths,
carpenters, potters, weavers, and shoe-makers ply their traditional
crafts and sell their goods on their own doorsteps.
Before 1930 there were no modern factories in Iraq, but their
creation has been encouraged by legislation dating back to 1929 with
the object of reducing imports of manufactured articles, particularly
by the remission of customs dues on imported machinery and
materials, and remissions of income tax and property tax on indus
trial establishments. By 1940 there were 70 concerns enjoying these
benefits, the principal groups being:
Distilling . . 4
Milling • . 6
Soap